Rocky Nelson

Infobox MLB retired
name = Rocky Nelson
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position = First Baseman
birthdate = birth date|1924|11|18
deathdate = death date and age|2006|10|31|1924|11|18
bats =Left
throws = Left
debutdate =April 27
debutyear =1949
debutteam =St. Louis Cardinals
finaldate =September 29
finalyear =1961
finalteam =Pittsburgh Pirates
stat1label = Batting average
stat1value =.249
stat2label =Home runs
stat2value =14
stat3label =Runs batted in
stat3value =173
teams =
*St. Louis Cardinals (1949-1951)
*Pittsburgh Pirates (1951)
*Chicago White Sox (1951)
*Brooklyn Dodgers (1952)
*Cleveland Indians (1954)
*Brooklyn Dodgers (1956)
*St. Louis Cardinals (1956)
*Pittsburgh Pirates (1959-1961)
highlights =
*1960 World Series Championship
*Participated in the 1952 World Series
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Glenn Richard "Rocky" Nelson (November 18, 1924 — October 31, 2006) was a first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals (1949-51 and 1956), Pittsburgh Pirates (1951 and 1959-61), Chicago White Sox (1951), Brooklyn Dodgers (1952 and 1956) and Cleveland Indians (1954).

A native of Portsmouth, Ohio, Nelson batted and threw lefthanded. Despite pre-1959 stints with five major leage clubs, Nelson failed to stick with a major league team for half a season. Reggie Otero, manager of the Havana Sugar Kings, saw Nelson clobber major league pitchers while playing winter baseball in Cuba. [ Baseball’s Fabulous Montreal Royals, William Brown, p. 156, Robert Davies Publishing, Montreal, 1996, ISBN 1-895854-64-4 ] It was Otero’s view that Nelson needed a major league manager that would show patience toward him.

He was regarded as one of the best sluggers to ever play in the International League. As a rookie in 1948, he helped the Rochester Red Wings qualify for the Governors' Cup playoffs. [ Baseball’s Fabulous Montreal Royals, William Brown, p. 121, Robert Davies Publishing, Montreal, 1996, ISBN 1-895854-64-4 ] From 1953 to 1955, while playing for the Montreal Royals, Nelson led the International League once in Batting Average (1955), twice in Home Runs (1954, 1955), and twice in RBIs (1953 and 1955). He would win his first Triple Crown in 1955 and was the International League’s Most Valuable Player in 1953 and 1955. His performances were a topic of conversation among many managers of the time. They were baffled as to how to pitch to him, and even more mystified that he was still playing in the minor leagues. [ Baseball’s Fabulous Montreal Royals, William Brown, p. 156, Robert Davies Publishing, Montreal, 1996, ISBN 1-895854-64-4 ]

Although Nelson finally caught on in the majors, he had to endure two more failed tryouts with the Dodgers and the Cardinals, plus one more stint in the International League. In 1957, he would sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs, whose owner, Jack Kent Cooke boasted that “…whatever is worth buying in the pitching or power line will find its way to Toronto.” [ Baseball’s Fabulous Montreal Royals, William Brown, p. 168, Robert Davies Publishing, Montreal, 1996, ISBN 1-895854-64-4 ] In 1958, Nelson was voted International League most valuable player after winning the triple crown, leading the league in batting average (.326), home runs (43) and RBIs (120) while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was later inducted into the International League Hall of Fame and into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987.

In 1959, Nelson would catch on with the Pittsburgh Pirates. From 1959 to 1961, Nelson was a platoon first baseman, playing behind righthanded slugger Dick Stuart. He wound up with two seasons of .291 and .300 batting averages, but never duplicated his success in Triple-A. Despite these shortcomings, Nelson would have some memorable moments with the Pirates. He was the first baseman in May 1959 when Harvey Haddix lost his perfect game bid in the 13th inning. [ Baseball’s Fabulous Montreal Royals, William Brown, p. 157, Robert Davies Publishing, Montreal, 1996, ISBN 1-895854-64-4 ]

Nelson would also make an appearance in the 1960 World Series, where he belted a two-run home run off pitcher Bob Turley in the first inning of the seventh game. [ Baseball’s Fabulous Montreal Royals, William Brown, p. 156, Robert Davies Publishing, Montreal, 1996, ISBN 1-895854-64-4 ] Not as dramatic as teammate Bill Mazeroski’s Home Run in the same game to win the 1960 World Series, Nelson had the privilege of playing for a world champion.

As a major leaguer, he helped the Dodgers win the 1952 and 1956 National League Pennants, the Indians win the 1954 American League Pennant and the Pirates win the 1960 World Series.

During all or parts of nine major league seasons, Nelson played in 620 games and had 1,394 at-bats, 186 runs scored, 347 hits, 61 doubles, 14 triples, 31 home runs, 173 RBI, 7 stolen bases, 130 walks, .249 batting average, .317 on-base percentage, .379 slugging percentage, 529 total bases, 11 sacrifice hits, 8 sacrifice flies and 13 intentional walks. But as a minor leaguer, Nelson amassed 1,604 hits, 308 doubles, 81 triples, 234 home runs, 1,009 runs batted in, and batted .319, with 87 stolen bases. He retired after the 1962 season.

Nelson died at age 81 in 2006 in his native city of Portsmouth.

Triple Crown Season

Given to the player who leads the league in Home Runs, Runs Batted In, and Batting Average

ee also

* Chicago White Sox all-time roster

References