Sources
Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web.
Submit a site - Become an editor
Wikipedia. Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Are you an expert in this subject? Join the discussion and share your knowledge at Wikipedia.org.
Mel Ott
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
|
|
| 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 | |
|
|
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.
- 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 |
Categories: 1909 births | 1958 deaths | Baseball Hall of Fame | Major league right fielders | New York Giants baseball players | Major league players from Louisiana | National League All-Stars | American League All-Stars | 500 home run club | National League home run champions | National League RBI champions | Baseball players who have hit for the cycle | Baseball player-managers | New York Giants managers | Major League Baseball announcers | People from New Orleans | American road accident victims