Whiz Kids coach Maje McDonnell dies at 89

When Maje McDonnell joined the Phillies organization as a batting-practice pitcher, he couldn't have imagined nights like last night, when a sellout crowd packed a sparkling ballpark for the 81st consecutive time and the home team continued its pursuit of a third straight World Series berth.

McDonnell, after all, joined the Phillies in 1947, when they were still one of the sport's perennial losers.

But over the next 62 years, he had a front-row seat for their rise to prominence, serving in various capacities before settling into a role as the organization's goodwill ambassador and unofficial historian.

Yesterday, McDonnell died at the age of 89 in his Philadelphia home, 1 year after retiring from his post with the Phillies.

"It's just amazing the number of decades he covered," club president David Montgomery said yesterday. "He was a unique individual, and certainly a treasure for us."

McDonnell was well known in the Phillies organization. Until last season, he was a frequent presence at home games, sitting in the upstairs dining room and telling stories about the various chapters in the club's history. Hired after a standout career at Villanova, he was a coach on the 1950 Whiz Kids team that advanced to the World Series.

Growing up in Port Richmond, McDonnell's obsession with baseball prompted people to refer to him as a "little major leaguer." Eventually, it was shortened to "Maje," and, in time, replaced his given name of Robert.

"It's been a great life," McDonnell said in a New York Times profile of him that ran during the Phillies' World Series run in 2008. "I've done exactly what I wanted to do."

McDonnell captained the baseball and basketball teams at both Northeast High and Villanova. He also served as an assistant basketball coach at Villanova. Inducted into Villanova's Hall of Fame in 1984, he served for 3 years in World War II, returning with a combat badge, five battle stars and a Bronze Star, a team press release said.

He is believed to be the only person who owns championship rings from 1950, 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008 and 2009 (the Phillies did not cast a ring after their 1915 pennant).

"There's not a ring we've produced that he doesn't have," Montgomery said.

A cause of death is unknown, although the Phillies were aware that McDonnell's health had been failing.

McDonnell is survived by his wife, Millie; three daughters, Mildred Mary, Kathleen and Maureen; and two grandsons, Jameson McDonnell and Major Lee VanWinkle. Funeral arrangements are pending through the Monti-Rago Funeral Home in South Philadelphia.