Fergie's Fame Can't Buy Him a Job in Baseball

Looking for a pitching coach? Recently elected to the Hall of Fame; 18-year pitching career with four teams; 284 wins, 226 losses and 3,192 strikeouts; won 20 games or more six years in a row with the Chicago Cubs (1967-72); enthusiastic, likes working with young people; available immediately. Contact Ferguson "Fergie" Jenkins, Guthrie, Okla.

That might have been a want ad from Jenkins, 47, who also pitched for the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox. He retired from baseball in 1983 while with the Cubs. Earlier this year--three years after he became eligible--Jenkins was elected by baseball writers to the Hall of Fame.

Because of his induction July 21--along with the late Bill Veeck, Rod Carew, Gaylord Perry and the late Tony Lazzeri--into the Cooperstown, N.Y., baseball shrine, Jenkins is traveling on the baseball card show circuit, plus appearing at trade shows and speaking. But would he take coaching job? "If the right opportunity is there, sure," he said.

In a recent interview at a baseball card show at the Rosemont Exposition Center, he still talked enthusiastically about his plans. "I'd like to teach the young pitchers to learn the game, learn how to pitch, be winners."

Still looking like he could pitch at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, Jenkins added, "I want to give back some of the knowledge that was given to me."

Such generosity isn't always reciprocated. Compared with other positions, there has always been a proportionally smaller number of black catchers and pitchers than outfielders and infielders because these positions were considered to be the province of the "smarter" players. Jenkins said there is only one black pitching coach in the majors: Al Jackson of the Baltimore Orioles.

Jenkins served from 1988-89 as a pitching coach for the Oklahoma City 89ers, the Triple AAA farm team of the Texas Rangers. He left to look for a major league coaching job, but was unsuccessful in tries with Phillies, Yankees, Blue Jays, Astros and Cardinals.

"A lot of general managers and front office people don't look at your credentials," said Jenkins. "They like to see minor league experience on the coaching level."

He added, "The opportunities are there. The organizations have to take the next step. Black athletes have interviewed for jobs, but there always seems to be somebody in front of them."