When a team brings a former player back into the fold it is often done as a feel-good, public relations move – especially if that former player was once endeared by fans. I mean really, how are guys in their 60s, 70s and even 80s really going to teach today’s Millennials anything, right? Now this certainly isn’t to say that guys like Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, who might make one or two cameo appearances during spring training and might drop by Dodgers Stadium once in a while, or that the great Don Newcombe, who rarely misses a game at The Ravine, aren’t loved and revered by coaches, players and fans alike, but are they really making an impact on today’s major or minor leaguers?

Although Dodgers legend and Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax usually spends a few days at Camelback Ranch each spring and occasionally drops in at Dodger Stadium, his role as “Special Advisor to the Chairman” is more for show than anything else – not that we all don’t love it.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

But when the Dodgers announced last week that they had brought recent Hall of Famer Greg Maddux and 19-year MLB veteran Raul Ibanez on board as Special Assistants to Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and to the entire Baseball Operations Department, they made it perfectly clear that these are not just PR moves to entertain fans.

In a written statement, the Dodgers said that “Maddux and Ibañez will assist in all aspects of baseball operations, including scouting, player development and working with the club’s players, both at the major and minor league levels.” In other words, fans can expect both of these former MLB greats to be ‘hands-on’ with the development of Dodger players on every level.

When you think about it, why would a guy like Maddux, whose time with the Dodgers was but a drop in the bucket in his 23-year Hall of Fame career, and Ibanez, who was never a Dodger at all, choose to join the Dodgers front office under Director of Player Development Gabe Kapler when the former spent most of his career with the Braves and Cubs and the latter with the Mariners and Phillies? This certainly suggests that these are legitimate working appointments rather than just for show.

The Padres gave Maddux a plaque. The Dodgers gave him a job. Who got the better deal?
(Video capture courtesy of Padres.com)

Even though Ibanez never put up Hall of Fame-caliber numbers during his 19-year MLB career, he was always known as a solid, well-rounded hitter and an outstanding clubhouse presence for his teammates. And while the 43-year-old New York City native had a rather mediocre career triple-slash .272 / .335 / .465, the fact that he played until he was 42 years of age speaks volumes about his commitment and dedication to the game.

Like his new boss Gabe Kapler, Raul Ibanez continues to keep himself in tremendous shape – even at age 43. (Photo courtesy of articles.philly.com)

As for Maddux, what can you say about the 49-year-old San Angelo, Texas native and longtime Las Vegas resident that hasn’t already been said? In all likelihood, Maddux will probably be the last 300-game winner to enter the sacred halls of Cooperstown and his 355 career wins – eighth-most in MLB history – will most likely never be surpassed.