Dave McKay: From Infielder Prospect to Johngy's Beat

Dave McKay first appeared on a baseball card in 1976, which happened to be the first set I ever collected to completion.  McKay was part of a quad-pictured card of "1976 Rookie Infielders."  That immediately put him on my radar.
The next season, he appeared by himself on a Toronto Blue Jays card.  Oh those mysterious Blue Jays.  They were new and mostly airbrushed.  They were quite mysterious and interesting.  This really cemented McKay as a guy I followed.
McKay later was on those Oakland A's teams, which I always seemed to see at Comiskey Park playing the White Sox.  I am pretty sure I got McKay's autograph on a scorecard one time.  Oddly, I am usually very strict about locating any of my autographs, but that page escapes me.
Anyway, fast forward 30 or so years and McKay joined the Cubs coaching staff.  Finally, he was on my team.
I met and interviewed McKay in Houston last season.  He is the kind of guy I wish I could get for a longer session.  He played eight seasons and has coached for many years since, the bulk being with Tony LaRussa.
I think McKay would have great stories and interesting insight.  He has played and coached with many Hall of Famers and notables, like Rod Carew, Billy Martin, Mark McGwire and more.
I semi-broke the journalistic code by asking McKay for a picture "for the story."  Okay, it was mostly for my collection, although I did use it in the story.  McKay was very cool about it.
It's moments like that when I really think how cool all of this is.  Hopefully, this season, I will add a few more of my childhood favorites to my interviews list.

Dave McKay and me in Houston, TX-August 2012.

On the Beat with Dave McKay of the Chicago Cubs

Continuing our coverage of the road trip to Minute Maid Park, I got to interview another of my baseball cards come to life.  It is always hard to believe that these guys were on the baseball cards I collected as a kid.
Anyway, Dave McKay had an eight career mlb career as an infielder for three teams.  He has been a coach for a long time, including many years with Tony LaRussa.  Now he is a coach with the Cubs.
McKay was hanging around the dugout, observing batting practice, having finished his time as practice pitcher.  I approached McKay and asked him about travel and his time with LaRussa.
I also told McKay that I have been a fan of his since my card-collecting days.  I think former players like to hear that if it is genuine.  I often recall former Cubs coach Matt Sinatro talking to me and asking me if I really knew about his playing days.  After I quickly spouted off several key points of his career, I think I gained a little more respect.  I hope the same is true with McKay.
If McKay ever reads this, I appreciate his time and consideration in talking on the field.  I also appreciate his years in the Twins, Blue Jays and A's, as depicted on those cards so many years ago.
Stay tuned for more interviews from Minute Maid Park or check out all of them on the JohngysBeat.com YouTube channel.  Also, you can go back and read Travel Favorites of Baseball Greats, the online piece I wrote for Global Traveler magazine.