2-time All-Star Maxwell, oldest Tigers alum, passes away at 97

December 28th, 2024

Charlie Maxwell, a two-time American League All-Star with the Tigers and who was one of the 10 oldest-living former MLB players, has passed away at age 97.

Maxwell was an outfielder and first baseman during parts of 14 seasons with the Red Sox, Orioles, Tigers and White Sox from 1950-64, but he had his best seasons with his home-state Tigers.

The Paw Paw, Mich., native spent parts of eight seasons with Detroit and earned All-Star selections in 1956 and '57, when he hit a combined .301 and averaged 26 homers and 85 RBIs while carrying a .904 OPS over the two campaigns. He received AL MVP votes in both of those seasons, and then again in 1960. At 97, he was the Tigers' oldest-living alumnus.

While a solid contributor with the bat, Maxwell also was known for his defense. As a left fielder, he led the AL with 10 assists in 1956 before topping the league with 321 putouts in '57. He also led AL left fielders in fielding percentage three times from 1957-60.

For his career, Maxwell hit .264 with 148 homers and an .811 OPS.