Steve Macko
Encyclopedia
Steven Joseph Macko was a professional baseball player. In the Major Leagues
, he played infield
positions in 25 games for the Chicago Cubs
during the 1979
and 1980
seasons. He died of cancer, which also ended his career, in 1981.
Steve Macko's father, Joe, had played and coached in the minor leagues and later worked as clubhouse manager for the Texas Rangers
. As a child, Steve Macko was a batboy
for the Rangers. Macko was an All-America
n at Baylor University
and was a key part of the team that made it to the College World Series
in 1977. That year, the Cubs selected him in the fifth round of the draft. He played in the minors and was called up from AAA in 1979 and 1980.
In his 25 games with the Cubs, he hit .250 with fifteen hits (three of them doubles), four walks, and eleven strikeouts. Playing second base, third base, and shortstop, he made 32 putouts, 47 assists, and no errors.
In 1980, Macko's promising play appeared stalled by injury when he incurred a bad bruise in a collision with Bill Madlock
. However, he was unable to play again, as doctors discovered he had testicular cancer
. Macko died of the disease on November 15, 1981. His family has endowed several scholarships in his name at Baylor University, Bishop Dunne High School, and other institutions.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, he played infield
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
positions in 25 games for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
during the 1979
1979 Chicago Cubs season
- Offseason :* October 26, 1978: Rudy Meoli was released by the Cubs.* February 23, 1979: Manny Trillo, Greg Gross, and Dave Rader were traded by the Cubs to the Philadelphia Phillies for Barry Foote, Ted Sizemore, Jerry Martin, Derek Botelho, and Henry Mack .* March 20, 1979: The Cubs traded a...
and 1980
1980 Chicago Cubs season
- Offseason :* October 3, 1979: Ken Holtzman was released by the Cubs.* October 17, 1979: Donnie Moore was traded by the Cubs to the St. Louis Cardinals for Mike Tyson.* January 11, 1980: 1980 Major League Baseball Draft...
seasons. He died of cancer, which also ended his career, in 1981.
Steve Macko's father, Joe, had played and coached in the minor leagues and later worked as clubhouse manager for the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. As a child, Steve Macko was a batboy
Batboy
A batboy is an individual who carries the baseball bats around to a baseball team. A batboy may also lay out the equipment and mud the baseballs to be used in the game.Mascots and batboys had both been part of baseball since the 1880s....
for the Rangers. Macko was an All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n at Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
and was a key part of the team that made it to the College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
in 1977. That year, the Cubs selected him in the fifth round of the draft. He played in the minors and was called up from AAA in 1979 and 1980.
In his 25 games with the Cubs, he hit .250 with fifteen hits (three of them doubles), four walks, and eleven strikeouts. Playing second base, third base, and shortstop, he made 32 putouts, 47 assists, and no errors.
In 1980, Macko's promising play appeared stalled by injury when he incurred a bad bruise in a collision with Bill Madlock
Bill Madlock
Bill "Mad Dog" Madlock, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. From 1973 to 1987, Madlock was a right-handed hitter who won several National League batting titles. His record of four batting titles as a third baseman would be eclipsed in 1988 by Wade Boggs. Since 1970, only Tony Gwynn has...
. However, he was unable to play again, as doctors discovered he had testicular cancer
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system.In the United States, between 7,500 and 8,000 diagnoses of testicular cancer are made each year. In the UK, approximately 2,000 men are diagnosed each year. Over his lifetime, a man's risk of...
. Macko died of the disease on November 15, 1981. His family has endowed several scholarships in his name at Baylor University, Bishop Dunne High School, and other institutions.