Mel Ott

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mel Ott

Personal Info
Birth	March 2, 1909, Gretna, LA
Death:	November 21, 1958, New Orleans, LA
Professional Career
Debut	April 27, 1926, New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies, Baker Bowl
Team(s)	New York Giants (1926-1947)
HOF induction:	1951
Career Highlights
12-time All-Star (1934-45) 6-time NL home run leader (1932, 1934, 1936-38, 1942) First NL player to reach 500 home runs Passed Rogers Hornsby to become the all-time NL home run leader in 1937 and held that title until teammate Willie Mays passed him in 1966. Drew five walks in a game 3 times Tied an MLB record by drawing a walk in 7 consecutive plate appearances (June 16 through 18, 1943) Twice scored six runs in a game (August 4, 1934 and April 30, 1944) Twice led NL outfielders in double plays (1929 and 1935) Led NL in walks 6 times (1929, 1931-33, 1937, 1942) Four times named to the Major League All-Star Teams of The Sporting News (1934-36, 1938) Hit for the cycle (May 16, 1929) Managed the New York Giants in seven seasons (1942-48) First NL player to post eight consecutive 100-RBI seasons (only Willie Mays, Sammy Sosa and Chipper Jones have joined him) One of only five NL players to spend a 20+ year career with one team (Cap Anson, Stan Musial, Willie Stargell and Tony Gwynn are the others) One of only four players to be intentionally walked with the bases loaded In 1999, he ranked number 42 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, and was a nominee for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

Melvin Thomas (Mel) Ott (March 2, 1909 – November 21, 1958), nicknamed "Master Melvin", was a Major League Baseball right fielder who played his entire career for the New York Giants (1926-1947). Ott was born in Gretna, Louisiana. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. The first National League player ever to surpass 500 homeruns, Ott was unusually slight of stature for a power hitter, at 5'9" 170 lb.[1]

In his 22-season career, Ott batted .304 with 511 home runs, 1,860 RBIs, 1,859 runs, 2,876 hits, 488 doubles, 72 triples, 89 stolen bases, a .414 on base percentage and a .533 slugging average. He is almost as well known for his catch-phrase, "keep it classy."

Mel Ott is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame

Mel Ott was selected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1951 with 87% of the vote. His number "4" was also retired by the Giants in 1949; it is posted on the facade of the upper deck in the left field corner of AT&T Park.

After his playing career was over, Ott broadcast baseball on the Mutual Radio network in 1955. From 1956 to 1958, Ott teamed with Van Patrick to broadcast the games of the Detroit Tigers on radio and television.

He died in New Orleans, Louisiana at age 49 in an auto accident and was interred there in the Metairie Cemetery.

He is listed at position 42 on The Sporting News list of Baseball's Greatest Players.

The major park in his hometown of Gretna is named for Ott.

In 2006, Ott was featured on a United States postage stamp.[2] The stamp is one of a block of four honoring Baseball Sluggers, the others being Mickey Mantle, Hank Greenberg, and Roy Campanella.

[edit] See also

• Players Never to Play Minor League Baseball
• 500 home run club
• List of MLB individual streaks

[edit] External links

• Baseball Hall of Fame
• Baseball-Reference.com - career statistics and analysis
• Baseball Library - profile and career highlights
• The Baseball Page - profile

Preceded by Chuck Klein	National League Home Run Champion 1934 (with Ripper Collins)	Succeeded by Wally Berger
Preceded by Chuck Klein	National League RBI Champion 1934	Succeeded by Wally Berger
Preceded by Wally Berger	National League Home Run Champion 1936-1938 (1937 with Joe Medwick)	Succeeded by Johnny Mize
Preceded by Dolph Camilli	National League Home Run Champion 1942	Succeeded by Bill Nicholson
Preceded by Bill Terry	New York Giants Manager 1942–1948	Succeeded by Leo Durocher