Max Venable


William McKinley "Max" Venable is an American former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter. He played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants, Montreal Expos, Cincinnati Reds, and California Angels. Venable also played for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball, and coached for the SK Wyverns of the KBO League.

Early years

Venable went to Cordova High School in Rancho Cordova, California, where he was a multi-sport star. He excelled in all sports but, in high school, football was his best. He turned down football scholarships, as well as a multi-million dollar contract to play for the NHL's Quebec Nordiques, to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Career

Major League Baseball

He played for the San Francisco Giants, Montreal Expos, and Cincinnati Reds, all of the National League, and the California Angels of the American League. He also played two seasons in Japan, and, for the Chiba Lotte Marines.
He coached for the Atlanta Braves in the minor leagues, along with the San Diego Padres. He is a hitting instructor in the Seattle Mariners farm system to date.

SK Wyverns

Max signed with Korean Baseball team SK Wyverns as a hitting coach in 2013.

Personal life

Max's older son, Will, is a former Major League outfielder and he previously played baseball and basketball for Princeton University. He joined his father as a member of the Portland Beavers in. Max's younger son Winston Venable was a standout safety for the Boise State Broncos football team for the 2009–10 and 2010-11 seasons.