All-Time Indians: Max Alvis

Max Alvis played just a short time with the Indians during a dull section of Indians history, but was a two time All-Star and one of the best third baseman in Indians history. Despite just an eight year career, Alvis was one of only 23 Indians hitters to hit 100 or more home runs.

Alvis was originally signed in 1958 and made his debut four years later in 1962. In his official rookie year of 1963 he placed 17th in MVP voting (losing to the Yankees Elston Howard who received 15 of 20 first place votes). In that season he ranked in the top ten offensively in doubles, triples and hits while setting career highs in home runs, batting average and those stats previously listed that he would never near again. He hit more than twenty home runs two more times, in each of his all-star seasons. The second of those seasons was his swan song when he set a new high with 70 RBI and hit 48 extra base hits.

In his final year in Cleveland, Alvis was only able to play in 66 games (he had played in over 100 for six straight seasons and over 150 four times) and batted under .230 for the second year in a row. With his peak obviously past, the Indians moved on, trading for a young third baseman from Minnesota named Graig Nettles (neither the Twins or Indians knew what they had in him or they would have never let him go). With a new stud third baseman in the fold, the Indians no longer needed Alvis and traded him to Milwaukee just prior to the 1970 season along with Russ Snyder for Frank Coggins and Roy Foster.  

Alvis played out the year with the Brewers, but was nothing compared his former performance as he batted under .200 with just three home runs in 62 games. He retired at the end of 1970.