Father’s passion influenced Mahoney’s career

Baseball was THE sport at the Mahoney home.

“At a pretty early age, I was playing catch with my dad,” said Michael P. Mahoney, a 2012 inductee into the Clarendon County Athletic Hall of Fame. “My dad loved the game and it was easy to see his passion for the game rubbed off on me.”

Mahoney said his father, H.P. Mahoney, grew up playing baseball too, but he didn’t have the opportunities that his son had.

“My parents encouraged me to play,” he said. “They never pushed me, but they let me know I had their support.”

Mahoney said it’s different today for children playing Little League than in his days on the smaller field.

“I tried out when I was five years old and didn’t make the cut,” he said. “I tried out again when I was six. I didn’t make the team until I was seven years old. Today, everyone makes a team.”

Mahoney said failing to make the team encouraged him to work harder until he got better.

“It just wasn’t given to you back then,” he said. “You had to be able to play.”

Mahoney said all the kids on the block would get together for pickup games.

“We were always outside playing ball,” he said.

Mahoney said his father never let “restriction” get in the way of a ballgame.

“I’d be on restriction and it would (drop) come time for a game,” Mahoney said with a laugh. “My dad would let me play the game and then I was back on restriction.”

While H.P. and Jean Mahoney encouraged their son to play baseball, Michael said he was his own worse critic.

Mahoney credits his father and coaches like J.C. Britton and Clemson’s Bill Wilhelm who he said taught him to appreciate the game.

“I was very fortunate to have had some great coaches over the years,” Mahoney added. “I learned from each of them. I was blessed.”

Mahoney’s junior and senior years at Manning High School, he was named Most Valuable Player.

Mahoney also played American Legion baseball for five years. In both 1971 and 1972, he was named Most Valuable Player and in 1972, he received the Leading Hitter award.

At Clemson, Mahoney’s team won the ACC tournament his junior year and he was named All Time Letterman. In his senior year as a Tiger, Mahoney’s team repeated as ACC tournament champs and he was named All ACC. He was also on the ACC Academic Honor Roll.

“I could hit,” Mahoney said about his days as a Tiger. “I had a pitch hit triple in the ninth inning to beat the Gamecocks. I had a three run double in the ninth inning against North Carolina to win the ACC tournament.”

Mahoney, a centerfielder for most of his career, had some speed to go along with the hitting.

Mahoney said it’s funny that he can remember pitch counts from 40 years ago, but he can’t remember what he had for dinner last night.

“Some things you never forget,” he said with a laugh.

Mahoney’s stint at Clemson was interrupted by four years in the Navy.

“They had a rule back then, the ‘Five Years to Play Four rule’,” he said. “After leaving the Navy I came back to Clemson. That was when I was on the ACC Academic Honor Roll.”

“Baseball has been better to me than me to it,” Mahoney added. “It may have opened a few doors, but once you get inside, it’s all you then.”

Mahoney said that things happen for a reason.

“If I hadn’t gone in the Navy, I might not have met my wife,” he said. “I met her while I was home on leave.”

Now away from the baseball diamond, Mahoney, who works at the Bank of Greeleyville, said he wouldn’t change a thing.

“I have three wonderful children, two son-in-laws and two grandchildren,” he shared. “I have a lot of friends and fellow teammates who played in the majors, but I’m happy right where I am today.”

Mahoney said his selection into the Clarendon County Athletic Hall of Fame was a surprise.

“Calling it a surprise is really an understatement,” he added. “I don’t know that I deserve to be named with those other recipients. The honor is very humbling and I am very much appreciative. To be considered one of the best athletes to come out of Clarendon County is quite an honor.”