Mel Nelson

Melvin Frederick Nelson

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 185 lb.
• School San Bernardino Valley College
• High School San Bernardino High School
• Debut September 27, 1960
• Final Game June 2, 1969
• Born May 30, 1936 in San Diego, CA USA
• Died November 26, 2021 in Highland, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Mel Nelson began his pro career as an outfielder and hit 27 home runs for the Fresno Cardinals in 1955. He was converted to pitching in 1957 and spent parts of six seasons in the majors.

Following his playing career, Nelson was a longtime scout for the Cleveland Indians (1973), Los Angeles Dodgers (1974-1976). Chicago White Sox (1978-1980), Oakland A's (1982-1989), St. Louis Cardinals (supervisor 1990-199? ), Colorado Rockies (major league 199?- ) and Houston Astros. He signed Garett Gentry, Jason Hirsh and Dmitri Young.

He died in November 2021, but news of his passing didn't surface until three years later, in November 2024.

Further Reading

• Doug Skipper: "Mel Nelson", in Gregory H. Wolf, ed.: A Pennant for the Twin Cities: the 1965 Minnesota Twins, SABR, Phoenix, AZ, 2015, pp. 164-169. ISBN 978-1-943816-09-5

Related Sites

• Mel Nelson at the SABR Bio Project