Southeastern Community College Alumni Association | Distinguished Alumnus Award 2003
Bill Madlock’s illustrious baseball career began when he played for Coach Gene Weber with the 1970 Komets, SCC-Keokuk’s baseball team. In May 1970 he signed with the Washington Senators (they became the Texas Rangers a few years later). His major league debut in September 1973 with the American League’s Texas Rangers signaled the beginning of his renowned 15-year career that included stints with four National League teams, the Chicago Cubs, the San Francisco Giants, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, and ended back in the American League with the Detroit Tigers. He was the first player to win more than one national league batting title with two different teams, earning the crown with the Cubs in 1975 and 1976 and with the Pirates in 1981 and 1983. His .336 average with the Cubs is the highest in franchise history for players with at least 400 games. His ultimate game was as third baseman in game seven of the 1979 World Series. He played in three All-Star Games (1975, 1981, and 1983) and was 1975 All-Star MVP. He received the Pittsburgh Pirates Roberto Clemente Award for Excellence in 1981. On September 23, 1987, he collected his 2,000th career hit. After retiring from major league play after the 1987 season, Madlock played in Japan, then coached for the Detroit Tigers affiliate the Michigan Battle Cats, was the batting coach for the Boston Red Sox minor league system, served as hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers (2000-2001), and worked several years as a Commissioner’s Office representative for the MLB. He is currently managing the Newark Bears. Madlock was born in Memphis, Tennessee on January 2, 1951, graduated from Eisenhower High School in Decatur, Illinois, and attended SCC Keokuk in 1969-1970 from which he received his associate of arts degree. Bill Madlock is the father of one daughter and three sons.
