Mel Ott
Outfielder
Born: March 2, 1909(1909-03-02)
Died: November 21, 1958 (aged 49)
Batted: Left	Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 27, 1926 for the New York Giants
Final game
July 11, 1947 for the New York Giants
Career statistics
Hits	2876
HR	511
AVG	.304
Teams
New York Giants (1926-1947)
Career highlights and awards
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 Four times named to the Major League All-Star Teams of The Sporting News (1934-36, 1938)
Member of the National
Baseball Hall of Fame
Elected	1951
Vote	87.2% (first ballot)

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 to surpass 500 home runs, he was unusually slight of stature for a power hitter, at 5'9" 170 lb.[1] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Austin Kearns, an outfielder, catches a fly ball. ... is the 61st day of the year (62nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jan. ... is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1926 throughout the world. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT... is the 192nd day of the year (193rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1947 throughout the world. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT... In Major League Baseball history, Ty Cobb had a record 4,191 hits (later revised to 4,189) by 1928; Pete Rose would surpass it 57 years later, and finish with 4,256 career hits. ... Homerun redirects here. ... Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively. ... This article is about the current National Football League team. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1926 throughout the world. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1947 throughout the world. ... The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the Midsummer Classic, is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by fan vote for the starting position players and by the respective managers (from the previous years World... The Sporting News (TSN) is an American-based sports newspaper. ... Baseball Hall of Fame redirects here. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Baseball Hall of Fame redirects here. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1951 throughout the world. ... is the 61st day of the year (62nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jan. ... Major Leagues redirects here. ... The position of the right fielder A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in right field (e. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT... The following are the baseball events of the year 1926 throughout the world. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1947 throughout the world. ... The city of Gretna is the parish seat of Jefferson Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. ... People who are left-handed are more dextrous with their left hand than with their right hand: they will probably also use their left hand for tasks such as personal care, cooking, and so on. ... A person who is right-handed is more dextrous with their right hand than with their left hand: they will write with their right hand, and probably also use this hand for tasks such as personal care, cooking, and so on. ...

Baseball career

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. Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively. ... Homerun redirects here. ... “RBI” redirects here. ... In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances safely around all three bases and returns safely to home plate. ... In baseball statistics, a hit (denoted by H), sometimes called a base hit, is credited to a batter when he safely reaches first base after batting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielders choice. ... In baseball, a double is the act of a batter safely reaching second base by striking the ball and getting to second before being made out, without the benefit of a fielders misplay (see error) or another runner being put out on a fielders choice. ... In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base by striking the ball and getting to third before being made out, without the benefit of a fielders misplay (see error) or another runner being put out on a fielders choice. ... The all-time stolen base leader, Rickey Henderson, swipes third in 1988. ... In baseball statistics, on base percentage (OBP) (sometimes referred to as on base average (OBA)) is a measure of how often a batter gets to first base for any reason other than a fielding error or a fielders choice. ... Barry Bonds holds the MLB record for highest slugging average in a season (.863). ...

A power hitter

Mel Ott on cover of TIME Magazine

He was a prolific home run hitter. He was 6-time NL home run leader, in 1932, 1934, 1936-38, and 1942. He was both the youngest player to hit 100 home runs and the first National Leaguer to hit 500 home runs. He passed Rogers Hornsby to become the all-time NL home run leader in 1937 and held that title until Willie Mays passed him in 1966. He also holds the major league record for leading his team in home runs, 18 consecutive years from 1928 to 1945. Because of the modern free agency era, this record might never be broken. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Rogers Hornsby (April 27, 1896 in Winters, Texas - January 5, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois), nicknamed The Rajah, was a Major League Baseball second baseman and manager. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1937 throughout the world. ... Willie Howard Mays, Jr. ... This article is currently under construction // This year in baseball Events January 20 - The Baseball Writers Association of America voters elect Ted Williams to the Hall of Fame. ...

Because of his power hitting, he was noted for reaching base via the base on balls. He drew five walks in a game 3 times. He set the National League record for most walks in a doubleheader with six, on October 5, 1929 did it again on April 30, 1944. He tied an MLB record by drawing a walk in 7 consecutive plate appearances (June 16 through 18, 1943). He was one of only five players to be intentionally walked with the bases loaded. The others include: Abner Dalrymple, Nap Lajoie, Bill Nicholson, and Barry Bonds. He also led the NL in walks 6 times in 1929, 1931-33, 1937 and 1942. Rashad Eldridge of the Oklahoma Redhawks walks to first base after drawing a base on balls. ... Rashad Eldridge of the Oklahoma Redhawks walks to first base after drawing a base on balls. ... For other uses, see 5th October (Serbia). ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 167th day of the year (168th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... An Intentional base on balls (denoted by IBB), often called an intentional walk, is a walk that was issued with no intent of ever allowing a hit. ... Rashad Eldridge of the Oklahoma Redhawks walks to first base after drawing a base on balls. ... In the sport of baseball, The bases are loaded when there is a runner on each base (1st, 2nd, and 3rd). ... Abner Dalrymple was a baseball player who hit 43 home runs (including 22 in 1884) and batted . ... Napoleon Nap Lajoie [la-ZHOWAY] (September 5, 1874 – February 7, 1959), also known as Larry Lajoie, was an American professional athlete of French Canadian descent. ... Bill Nicholson can refer to different people: Bill Nicholson: a British football player and manager Bill Nicholson: a Major League Baseball player This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964 in Riverside, California) is currently a left fielder for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. ...

He twice scored six runs in a game, on August 4, 1934 and on April 30, 1944. He Hit for the cycle on (May 16, 1929). Ott was the first NL player to post eight consecutive 100-RBI seasons, and only Willie Mays, Sammy Sosa and Chipper Jones have since joined him. is the 216th day of the year (217th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Eric Davis hit for the cycle in 1989 In baseball, a player hits for the cycle when he hits a single, a double, a triple and a home run in the same game, though not necessarily in that order. ... is the 136th day of the year (137th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Willie Howard Mays, Jr. ... Samuel Sosa Peralta (born November 12, 1968 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is a designated hitter for the Texas Rangers of the American League. ... Larry Wayne Chipper Jones, Jr. ...

He used a batting style that was then considered unorthodox, lifting his forward (right) foot prior to impact. This style helped with his power-hitting. More recent players who used a similar style include Harold Baines and Kirby Puckett. Harold Sweet Swinging Douglas Baines (born March 15, 1959 in Easton, Maryland) is a former right fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball. ... Kirby Puckett (March 14, 1960 [1] – March 6, 2006) was a center fielder in Major League Baseball who played his entire career with the Minnesota Twins from 1984 to 1995. ...

Although a legitimate power hitter, with an optimal hitting style for a small man, his overall total was helped by the cozy right field foul line at the Polo Grounds, only 258 feet away. In 1943, all of his 18 home runs came at home; only two others ever had a greater number of all-homefield home runs. Of Ott's 511 career home runs, 323 of them, or 63 percent, came at home. (Home Run Handbook, John Tattersall, 1975). The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Manhattan, New York City used by baseballs New York Giants from 1883 until 1957, New York Metropolitans from 1883 until 1885, the New York Yankees from 1912 until 1922, and by the New York Mets in their...

Postseason play

He played in the World Series in 1933, 1936 and 1937, winning in 1933. The 1933 World Series featured the New York Giants and the Washington Senators, with the Giants winning in 5 games for their first championship since 1922, and their fourth overall. ... The 1936 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the New York Giants, with the Yankees winning in 6 games to earn their fifth championship. ... The 1937 World Series featured the defending champion New York Yankees and the New York Giants in a rematch of the 1936 Series. ...

He hit two home runs in the 1933 series. In game 1 he had four hits including a two run home run in the first. In game 5, he drove in the series winning run with two outs in the top of the 10th, driving a pitch into the center-field bleachers.

In the 1936 series he had 7 hits and 1 home run. In 1937 he had 4 hits and 1 home run.

Managing career

He managed the Giants for seven years between 1942 and 1948. The Giants best finish during that time was in third place in 1942. It was in reference to Ott's supposedly easygoing managing style that then-Dodgers manager Leo Durocher made the oft-quoted and somewhat out-of-context comment, "Nice guys finish last!" Leo Ernest Durocher (July 27, 1905 — October 7, 1991), nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. ...

Baseball honors

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. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 62 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, is a semi-official museum operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of baseball-related... The following are the baseball events of the year 1951 throughout the world. ... In team sports, the squad number, shirt number, jersey number, sweater number, or uniform number is the number worn on a players uniform. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1949 throughout the world. ... AT&T Park (also called China Basin) is an open-air baseball park, home to the San Francisco Giants of the Major League Baseball. ...

He was a 12-time All-Star, from 1934 to 1945. He was also named four times to the Major League All-Star Teams of The Sporting News, in 1934-36 and in 1938. He is one of only six NL players to spend a 20+ year career with one team, Cap Anson, Stan Musial, Willie Stargell, Tony Gwynn and Craig Biggio are the others. 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. The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the Midsummer Classic, is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by fan vote for the starting position players and by the respective managers (from the previous years World... The Sporting News (TSN) is an American-based sports newspaper. ... Adrian Constantine Anson (April 17, 1852 – April 14, 1922), known by the nicknames Cap (for Captain) and Pop, was a professional baseball player in the National Association and Major League Baseball. ... Stan Musials number 6 was retired by the St. ... Wilver Dornell Willie Stargell (March 6, 1940 – April 9, 2001), nicknamed Pops in the later years of his career, was a professional baseball player who played his entire Major League career (1962-1982) with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an outfielder and first baseman. ... Anthony Keith Gwynn (born May 9, 1960 in Los Angeles, California) is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball, statistically one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. ... Craig Alan Biggio (born December 14, 1965 in Smithtown, New York) is a former seven-time All-Star Major League baseball player who played his entire 20-year career with the Houston Astros. ... This article is about the year. ... The Sporting News (TSN) is an American-based sports newspaper. ... Major Leagues redirects here. ...

Broadcasting career

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. Van Patrick, Sports Broadcaster (1916–1974) Detroit Tigers baseball team play-by-play announcer 1953–1959. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1998–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 2, 5, 6, 16, 23, 42, Cobb Name Detroit Tigers (1901–present) Other nicknames The Motor City Kitties, The Bengals, The Tigs, The Bless You Boys Ballpark Comerica Park (2000–present) Tiger Stadium (1912-1999...

Death and legacy

He died in New Orleans, Louisiana at age 49 in an auto accident and was interred there in the Metairie Cemetery. Ott died in a similar manner to 2 other N.Y. Giant Hall of Famers - Frankie Frisch - 1973 (spent 2nd half of career with St. Louis Cardinals) and Carl Hubbell - 1988. NOLA redirects here. ... Metairie Cemetery is a cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana. ...

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

Ott in popular culture

Ott was immortalized in the poem "Lineup for Yesterday" by Ogden Nash thus:
O is for Ott
Of the restless right foot.
When he leaned on the pellet
The pellet stayed put.
Frederic Ogden Nash (August 19, 1902 – May 19, 1971) was an American poet best known for writing pithy and funny light verse. ...

In the 1989 film Field of Dreams, Mel Ott was one of several deceased players spotted in Ray Kinsella's Iowa cornfield. Field of Dreams (1989) is a movie about a farmer who becomes convinced by a mysterious voice that he is supposed to construct a baseball diamond in his corn field. ...

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. Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A selection of Hong Kong postage stamps A postage stamp is evidence of pre-paying a fee for postal services. ... Mickey Charles Mantle (October 20, 1931 – August 13, 1995) was an American baseball player who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. ... Henry Benjamin Hank Greenberg (January 1, 1911, New York, New York – September 4, 1986), nicknamed Hammerin Hank, was an American professional baseball player in the 1930s and 1940s. ... Roy Campanella (November 19, 1921 – June 26, 1993) was an American catcher in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball. ...

Baseball records and accomplishments

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

Image File history File links Broom_icon. ...

Home runs

• 6-time NL home run leader (1932, 1934, 1936-38, 1942)
• Was the youngest player to hit 100 home runs and the 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 Willie Mays passed him in 1966.
• Holds major league record by leading his team 18 consecutive years in home runs (1928-1945)

Rogers Hornsby (April 27, 1896 in Winters, Texas - January 5, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois), nicknamed The Rajah, was a Major League Baseball second baseman and manager. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1937 throughout the world. ... Willie Howard Mays, Jr. ... This article is currently under construction // This year in baseball Events January 20 - The Baseball Writers Association of America voters elect Ted Williams to the Hall of Fame. ...

Walks

• Drew five walks in a game 3 times, and 6 walks in a doubleheader twice
• Holds MLB record (tie) by drawing a walk in 7 consecutive plate appearances (June 16 through 18, 1943)
• One of only five players to be intentionally walked with the bases loaded
• Led NL in walks 6 times (1929, 1931-33, 1937, 1942)

Rashad Eldridge of the Oklahoma Redhawks walks to first base after drawing a base on balls. ... The following is a list of notable individual streaks achieved in Major League Baseball. ... is the 167th day of the year (168th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... An Intentional base on balls (denoted by IBB), often called an intentional walk, is a walk that was issued with no intent of ever allowing a hit. ... Rashad Eldridge of the Oklahoma Redhawks walks to first base after drawing a base on balls. ... In the sport of baseball, The bases are loaded when there is a runner on each base (1st, 2nd, and 3rd). ...

Other offense

• Twice scored six runs in a game (August 4, 1934 and April 30, 1944)
• Hit for the cycle (May 16, 1929)
• First NL player to post eight consecutive 100-RBI seasons (only Willie Mays, Sammy Sosa and Chipper Jones have joined him)

is the 216th day of the year (217th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Eric Davis hit for the cycle in 1989 In baseball, a player hits for the cycle when he hits a single, a double, a triple and a home run in the same game, though not necessarily in that order. ... is the 136th day of the year (137th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Willie Howard Mays, Jr. ... Samuel Sosa Peralta (born November 12, 1968 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is a designated hitter for the Texas Rangers of the American League. ... Larry Wayne Chipper Jones, Jr. ...

Defense

• Twice led NL outfielders in double plays (1929 and 1935)

After stepping on second base, the fielder throws to first to complete a double play In baseball, a double play (denoted on statistics sheets by DP) is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. ...

Overall

• 12-time All-Star (1934-45) and four time The Sporting News All-Star (1934-36, 1938)
• In 1999, he ranked number 42 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players and was a nominee for the MLB All-Century Team.
• 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)
• Managed the New York Giants in seven seasons (1942-48)

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the Midsummer Classic, is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by fan vote for the starting position players and by the respective managers (from the previous years World... The Sporting News (TSN) is an American-based sports newspaper. ... This article is about the year. ... The Sporting News (TSN) is an American-based sports newspaper. ... Adrian Constantine Anson (April 17, 1852 – April 14, 1922), known by the nicknames Cap (for Captain) and Pop, was a professional baseball player in the National Association and Major League Baseball. ... Stan Musials number 6 was retired by the St. ... Wilver Dornell Willie Stargell (March 6, 1940 – April 9, 2001), nicknamed Pops in the later years of his career, was a professional baseball player who played his entire Major League career (1962-1982) with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an outfielder and first baseman. ... Anthony Keith Gwynn (born May 9, 1960 in Los Angeles, California) is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball, statistically one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. ... New York Yankees manager Joe Torre returning to the dugout (September 2005) In baseball, the head coach of a team is called the manager (or more formally, the field manager); this individual controls matters of team batting order to more closely communicate with baserunners, but most managers delegate this responsibility...

See also

• List of baseball players who went directly to the major leagues
• List of Major League Baseball Home Run Records
• 500 home run club
• List of MLB individual streaks
• Top 500 home run hitters of all time
• List of major league players with 2,000 hits
• List of Major League Baseball players with 400 doubles
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
• Hitting for the cycle
• List of Major League Baseball RBI champions
• List of Major League Baseball home run champions
• List of Major League Baseball runs scored champions
• Major League Baseball hitters with three home runs in one game
• Major League Baseball titles leaders

A number of baseball players are distinguished by the fact that they made their professional debut in the majors without having played a single game at the minor league level or at the professional level. ... Players denoted in boldface are are still actively contributing to the record noted. ... In Major League Baseball, the 500 Home Run Club is an informal term applied to the group of players who have hit 500 or more career home runs. ... Insert non-formatted text hereThe following is a list of notable individual streaks achieved in Major League Baseball. ... In the sport of baseball, a home run is the act of hitting the ball in such a manner, whether out of the park or in (see inside the park home run), that allows the batter to safely reach home and score in one play. ... Below is the list of Major League Baseball players who have reached the 2,000 hit milestone. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with List of Major League Baseball all-time leaders in doubles. ... Below is the list of 295 Major League Baseball players who have reached the 1,000 Runs milestone. ... Below is the list of 252 Major League Baseball players who have reached the 1,000 RBI milestone. ... Eric Davis hit for the cycle in 1989 In baseball, a player hits for the cycle when he hits a single, a double, a triple and a home run in the same game, though not necessarily in that order. ... Major League Baseball recognizes runs batted in champions in the American League and National League each season. ... Major League Baseball recognizes home run champions in the American League and National League each season. ... Major League Baseball recognizes runs scored champions in the American League and National League each season. ... Listed below are the occurrences of Major League Baseball players who have hit three home runs in a single game. ... At the end of each Major League Baseball season, the league leaders of various statistical categories are announced. ...

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
• Baseball-reference.com – Major league career managerial statistics
• baseballhalloffame.org – Hall of Fame biography page
• 1933 World Series