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Washington ballplayer reunites with Youngstown’s ‘Shotgun’ Shuba
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
Like many average 10 year-old boys, Max Turnquist loves baseball and is dedicated to the game that he plays daily each summer.
An excellent hitter and fielder, the Yakima, Wash., native plays in his local Little League and recently knocked in the winning run that sent his team to the championship game.
His journey from near death at birth to success on the field has a Youngstown connection. Max’s hero is former Brooklyn Dodger George “Shotgun” Shuba.
When Shuba hosted his West Coast friend on Sunday, they renewed pleasantries about the diamond game but more importantly caught up on how Max was getting along outside America’s favorite pastime.
Born with a heart defect known as Transposition of the Great Arteries, Max required open heart surgery when he was four days old with additional surgeries following over the next six years.
He wasn’t released by his doctors to play any physical activity until he was 6.
“My absolute best birthday gift was when my doctor released me so that I could play baseball,” Max said. “It was something that I really looked forward to and just couldn’t wait for it to happen.”
Known by his teammates as a book of knowledge on all sports, Max has made amazing medical progress and has developed into a very good player.
Shuba’s relationship with Max began in 2007 when he was invited by the Brooklyn Baseball Club of Yakima to be the guest of honor at its annual fund-raising event.
Brooklyn Baseball was founded on the principles of working with area youths while establishing old fashioned baseball ethics and skills.
The Brooklyn Baseball group had an essay contest entitled, “Why I Want to Meet George ‘Shotgun’ Shuba,” and Max won.
He was rewarded by shadowing Shuba and his son Mike during their visit.
The essay noted how Shuba overcame personal obstacles to become an excellent player and how he conducted himself away from the game.
Max gave a detailed account of Shuba’s handshake at home plate with Jackie Robinson in 1946 when they were teammates on the Montreal Royals. It was the first documented interracial handshake in sports.
Max’s essay also denoted how he was able to overcome health obstacles to be able to play.
Turnquist is a member of Shuba’s “500 Swings a Day Club,” a program on his website that challenges young players to practice their swing daily.
“It is very humbling to know that someone still looks up to you,” Shuba said, “Someone that cares enough to tell you that you are an inspiration to them both on and off the field.
“Baseball has been a big part of my life and to see it play such an important role in today’s youth, especially Max’s, just brings a big smile to my face,” Shuba said.