Shenk: Ex-Phillie combats change of life
Former Philadelphia Phillie, Milwaukee Brewer and Minnesota Twin John Briggs
April 13, 2023
By Larry (Baron) Shenk
Philadelphia Phillies
As a major league ballplayer for 12 seasons, Philadelphia Phillies alumnus John Briggs experienced numerous adjustments. Nothing compares to what happened within the past six years during which he lost his eyesight to an aggressive form of Glaucoma while battling a cancerous stomach tumor.
“I was playing catch with my son, Julian, about six years ago. He threw a ball that I didn’t see,” Briggs, 79, recalled. “Went to an ophthalmologist for an exam that indicated an onset of Glaucoma. Had some treatment and a couple of operations but the stomach tumor became a priority. Gradually the eyesight deteriorated after I recovered from the stomach surgery.”
Despite health issues, his bubbly personality remains. He loves to talk baseball and enjoys a good laugh.
He and Renvy, his wife of 32 years, and their two sons, Julian and Jalen, reside in their two-story home in Paterson, NJ.
“I can get around the house okay because I know where things are,” said Briggs. “And I get plenty of support from my family. They provide physical and verbal guidance when needed. I’m still a big sports fan but now I listen to games. Oh, an afternoon nap is part of a daily routine.”
Phillies Career
Briggs, a left-handed hitting outfielder, was signed to an $8,000 bonus by the Phillies in September of 1962 following the New Jersey State American Legion tournament. His pro debut came the following year with the Bakersfield Bears in the class-A California League. The 19-year-old hit .297 in 120 games with 20 doubles, 21 homers, 20 stolen bases and 83 RBI. He never played minor league ball again.
Because of big-league bonus rules, Briggs was in the big leagues all of his second season, 1964. His playing time increased each of the next five seasons, pinch-hitting, pinch-running, playing all three outfield positions and learning to play first base. In his eight seasons with the Phillies, he hit .251 in 695 games with 85 doubles, 52 home runs and 209 RBI.
Briggs’ roommates included Richie Allen, Wes Covington, Tony Taylor, Tony Gonzalez and Larry Hisle.
“Richie and I remained friends,” said John. “We’d often chat, reminisce, and laugh. We talked just before his number was retired in 2020. After that, his niece who was caring for him, would answer and say he’s resting. I didn’t realize his health was failing. I miss him so much.”
American League Career
Briggs was the Phillies starting left fielder when Veterans Stadium opened April 10, 1971.
“Don’t remember much from that day,” he said. “Do know we beat the Montreal Expos and Don Money hit a home run.”
Twelve days later, however, is still fresh in his mind.
“We were in St. Louis and I was called to (manager) Frank Lucchesi’s hotel room,” he remembers. “Eddie Ferenz (traveling secretary) was also there. Didn’t know if I had done something wrong. Very quickly, Frank said I was traded to Milwaukee. I was shocked and hurt. I hit .270 the previous year and felt I had a future with the Phillies.”
In that April 22 deal, Briggs was traded for Pete Koegel and Ray Peters. He played for the Brewers into the 1975 season when he was traded to the Minnesota Twins where he played his final 85 games. He was a regular for the Brewers in his first five seasons, hitting 21, 21, 18, 17 and 10 home runs. One of his teammates in 1975 was Hank Aaron.
After being released by the Twins in February 1976, Briggs went to Japan to play with the Lotte Orions in the Japanese Central League.
“I became seriously ill and returned home in July, playing only 47 games,” he said.
Greatest Game
On Aug. 4, 1973, Briggs entered the record book by getting six hits in six at-bats in a 9-4 Brewers win against the Indians in Cleveland. Batting first and playing left field, he singled to start the game, doubled in the second, singled in the fourth and sixth innings, doubled in the eighth and singled in the ninth.
He was the 22nd player in American League history to go 6-for-6. In Milwaukee Brewers history, Kevin Reimer (Enderby, BC) is the only other player to do this. He did it on August 24, 1993 in a Brewers’ 7-6 win over the A’s.
Post baseball
“My best friend in the game was a teammate in Milwaukee, Dave May. He returned home to Delaware when he retired. My family and I moved to New Castle, DE. He and I played in the Delaware Semi-Pro league for Colonial for three years, 1980-82. The manager was Jim Angelo who owned the Colonial Appliance Store. We worked there. It was a great experience,” Briggs said.
After the 1982 season he and his family returned to Paterson. He began a new career, starting as a correction officer with the Passaic County Sheriff’s department. He retired as a lieutenant in 2008.
That September the city’s Little League field where he started was re-named “John Briggs Athletic Field”, a very special honour.
He and Larry Doby are the only baseball players in the Paterson Eastside High School Hall of Fame.
Hinchliffe Stadium, once the home to Negro League baseball in Paterson, has been fully restored to a facility to be used by amateur teams. The official launching event will take place on May 8 this year, the “John Briggs High School Classic.”
He may have lost his sight, but his family and community haven’t lost sight of John Edward Briggs, known as an MVP (Most Valuable Patersonian).