John Briggs

[645]

Briggs relives Milwaukee memories
Former Brewer now patrols streets instead of outfield

After spending one year in the minor leagues, outfielder John Briggs was called up to the Major League level by the Philadelphia Phillies.
In 1971, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired Briggs through a trade with the Phillies and he made an instant impact. His first at-bat with the Brewers was a two-run homer. He averaged 19 home runs per season with the Brewers, and had 11 game-winning hits in 1974, alone.

John has since traded in his baseball uniform for an entirely different one. MLB.com recently spoke to Briggs about his life after baseball.

MLB.com (MLB.com): What have you been doing since you left the game of baseball in 1975?

John Briggs (Briggs): I am still working. I have been working with the Paterson Sheriff's Department now for 22 years.

MLB.com: What exactly do you do for the Sheriff's Department?

Briggs: I am a Seargent and a supervisor in the department.

MLB.com: In your five seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, what was your greatest memory?

Briggs: My greatest memory was my first at-bat in a Brewers uniform. I hit a two-run homer in old County Stadium. It was great for me because when you go to a new team, you never know how you will be received. The fans treated me great from Day 1, but I had a really good first day, so that helped.

MLB.com: What was your greatest achievement as a player?

Briggs: I went 6-for-6 one day (Aug. 4, 1973 vs. Cleveland). I think I had two doubles and four singles, but I didn't have a single RBI. Talk about messed up, when you hit like that and don't even bat in a run.

MLB.com: Have you stayed involved in baseball in any way?

Briggs: Not with coaching or anything. I help with coordinating schedules for the local high school's baseball and softball team.

MLB.com: You listed in Milwaukee's 1975 Media Guide that your hobbies were horseback riding and bowling, are you still active in these areas?

Briggs: I still really like playing sports. I like bowling and golfing, whatever season it is, I am involved in a sport like that. I haven't been riding for a while now, so that has changed, but I am still competitive in sports.

MLB.com: You recently turned 60, did you have a big celebration or do anything special?

Briggs: My family wanted to, but I asked them not to. I just wanted to keep it simple, nothing fancy.

MLB.com: Do you stay in touch with any of your old teammates?

Briggs: Not too many. I still talk to Dave May all the time. We probably talk once a week. We were roommates together back on the team, so we are very close.

MLB.com: What was your favorite part of being on the team?

Briggs: I really liked the travel. It was great to visit all these different cities.

MLB.com: What was your favorite city that you visited.

Briggs: I really enjoyed Atlanta. It is a really nice and fun city.

MLB.com: Do you still follow the Brewers?

Briggs: Yeah, I try to keep up with them. The last time I made it to Milwaukee though was for the closing of County Stadium. So I have never even been to the new park. Living in New Jersey, though, it is hard to keep up with the Brewers. All of the coverage out here are on teams like the Yankees.

MLB.com: Do you have any advice for any current players?

Briggs: I guess I would say, have fun. It doesn't last forever, and it's hard to realize that when you are still playing. The game is so different now though from when I played. It seems more like a business, so I don't know that any other advice I could give would even pertain. But you have to enjoy your time in the game while it lasts.

Briggs enjoyed his time in the game, and Brewers fans enjoyed it too. Though he has retired from the game, he is still very active in his community in law enforcement and high school baseball. Briggs is the father of six children, and currently resides in Paterson with his wife Renzy.



John Briggs cracked a two-run homer in his first at-bat with the Brewers.