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Grandparents of Indians infielder once resided here
Moroff has ties to Mahoning Valley
By Greg Gulas
One of the newest Cleveland Indians has grandparents from the Mahoning Valley.
Infielder Max Moroff, who spent parts of the past three seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, was traded to the Indians on Nov. 14.
Moroff grew up in Winter Haven, Fla., and was a 16th round draft pick out of Trinity Preparatory School. His grandparents, Ray and Helen Robison, are former Hubbard residents who reside in Winter Park, Fla.
Moroff’s grandfather, 87, is a Warren Harding and Ohio State University graduate who taught and coached basketball at Brookfield High in the early 1960s, later becoming a guidance counselor at East High School.
His grandmother is the former Helen Caputo, a Girard native and Girard High School graduate who worked at Nickles Bakery during the early years of their marriage.
“I never had the opportunity to spend time in the Mahoning Valley because my grandparents had already moved to Winter Park,” Moroff said. “They have, however, shared with me many great stories about their time in Ohio.”
In 1969, the Moroff family moved to Winter Park. Moroff’s mother, Cathy, is one of the Robisons’ four children.
“It wasn’t easy to leave Ohio as most of our families lived there, but the weather was just too much for us once we had our children,” Robison said. “Winter Park is a beautiful city, and all of our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren live within 30 minutes of us.
“They all visit us often.”
Moroff remembers how much fun he had with his grandparents during his formative years and how supportive they were of his efforts in everything he attempted.
“My grandfather was very athletic and an excellent golfer,” Moroff said. “I played with him in the Walt Disney golf tournament and we had plenty of fun.
“I was always over their house when I was young, and both are the kindest people you could ever ask to be around.
“Grandma Helen is a really good cook and I absolutely loved her chicken parmesan. They’re my biggest fans.”
His grandfather appreciates the fact that his grandson is a switch-hitter when he bats.
“I am left-handed and none of my children or grandchildren took after me,” Robison said. “When Max started switch-hitting, I began to call him ‘Lefty.’
“He is a very special young man and Helen and I are both proud and thrilled that all of his hard work has paid off.”
Moroff’s mother was a student in the Hubbard school systems before the family moved.
“Since Cathy and her family stayed in the area, we were fortunate enough to watch Max from Little League to high school,” Mrs. Robison said. “Now we can watch him on television playing for the Indians.
“It’s truly the highlight of my day when Max calls.”
Moroff was a member of the Maitland, Fla., team that advanced to the semifinals of the 2005 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
Along with his first major league hit and home run, he ranks his Little League World Series experience right at the top of his list of baseball accomplishments.
“That experience ranks right up there,” Moroff said. “We had a really good team, but it was an amazing experience because we got to meet kids from all over the world.”
During spring training with the Pirates, Moroff was one of the younger players relegated to playing at the end of a game while earning a start every other day.
In his first camp with the Indians, Moroff batted .308 with a home run, six runs batted in, four doubles and seven runs scored in 20 games. He can play second base, shortstop and third base.
“I’m not the biggest guy in the world so it helps to have good genes and be athletic,” Moroff said. “I enjoy playing those three infield positions, but love playing the middle most.”
His mother is a University of South Florida graduate who notes that her son has remained grounded.
“Max has been blessed with an incredible father [Dan], older brother [Jay] and even a younger sister [Ella] who were always available to throw another pitch to him or hit another ground ball,” Cathy Moroff said. “He has a strong work ethic and is always focused on getting better.
“I’m most especially proud of the fact he has stayed humble and keeps God and family first.”