What player's post-playing days hurt/helped their career?

[Bosox Blair]

I think Willie Mays, through his bad attitude towards fans has hurt his popularity immensely in his post-playing days.

On the other hand Buck O'Neil really bolstered his image with his wonderful participation in Ken Burns' Baseball and Buck's inspirational and touching book after that.

Cheers,
Blair

[brickyardkennedy]

Though there were issues during his playing days, last major league 30 game winner Denny McLain's post career life was a disaster.

[bbcard1]

One of my favorite cards is a Scott Boras minor league card.

I think Maury Wills may have really been harmed by his post career stuff. He also had poor, poor timing, playing in a depressed hitting era. I think everyone thought he was a hall of famer during his playing days and he was truly a harbinger of change, almost as much as Ruth (I am not saying he was Babe Ruth). I would take him ahead of a lot of shortstops in the hall if I were fielding a team.

[packs]

I can't remember the player's name, but a few years ago I remember reading a story about a career minor leaguer in the Dodgers system who, through sheer luck, had purchased property that he came to discover sat on top of a billion dollar rock quarry.

Matt White was his name.

[tedzan]

The "Scooter" was a beloved ballplayer by many during his playing days (1941-1956). And, those of us who were fortunate to listen to Yankee
games (TV & Radio) from 1957 to 1996 enjoyed Rizzuto's broadcasting and banter with his broadcast partners. Furthermore, during the 40 years
of Rizzuto's broadcasting, two generations of BB fans gained an appreciation of this great BB personality and his tremendous insight of the game.




On the other hand, there is Chuck Connors, who was a pretty good athlete in his youth. Played BB briefly with the Dodgers and Cubs and Basketball
with the Celtics. However, he realized early that he was not destined to make a career in professional sports. So, he pursued a career in acting.
While playing for the LA Angels in (PCL), Chuck was able to gain the exposure with Hollywood scene.





TED Z

[WhenItWasAHobby]

On the upside, I can remember former Buffalo Bills QB Jack Kemp's cards went up in the 1990's when there was a buzz regarding him running for president.

Tom Landry, John Madden, Don Shula Bud Grant & Chuck Noll are all in the Hall of Fame as coaches and all had pretty much forgettable careers as players in the NFL. Madden also did pretty well as a broadcaster.

I agree with the prior comment that OJ is pretty much as bad as it gets - even if you don't think he committed murder, that Vegas episode was the coup de grace for his public image. Lawrence Taylor is also rounding off the bottom with a lot of his latest escapades.

[milkit1]

We're forgetting the NUMBER ONE post career benefit player - MOE BERG

[nebboy]

A couple of books written by Jim Bouton & Jose canseco
did'nt go over well with other ball players.

[drdduet]

"After hanging up the cleats, which player(s) hurt or helped their career"

Guys like Miller Huggins, John McGraw, Casey Stengel, etc. only helped their baseball careers after they quit playing.

I'm not sure what side of the coin to put Billy Martin on?