Nellie King

Nelson Joseph King

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 6", Weight 185 lb.
• High School Milton Hershey School
• Debut April 15, 1954
• Final Game September 15, 1957
• Born March 15, 1928 in Shenandoah, PA USA
• Died August 11, 2010 in Mount Lebanon, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Righthander Nellie King was signed as an amateur free agent by the St. Louis Cardinals before the 1946 season and spent the next several seasons in the minor leagues, having his first good year in 1948 after being sent from the Cardinals to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 6' 6" pitcher won 20 and lost 13 with a 3.14 ERA in 1948 for the New Iberia Pelicans of the class D Evangeline League. King spent 1949 and 1950 with three different clubs, going 24-25 in 59 appearances before missing the 1951 and 1952 seasons due to military service during the Korean War.

Back and ready in 1953, Nellie was with the Denver Bears of the Western League, winning 15 and losing only 3 with a 2.00 ERA, also leading the league in both appearances with 50 and with his .833 winning percentage, plus making the All-Star team. While with the New Orleans Pelicans in 1954, he was 15-4 with his 2.25 ERA the best in the Southern Association. He was also to see Forbes Field for the first time, appearing in four games with no decisions for the Pirates. Nellie was back with the Pirates in 1955, where he was used mostly out of the bullpen in 17 games and went 1-3 with a 2.98 ERA. King made his last trip to the minors that season, appearing in 20 games with a 2-3 record for the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League, winding up his eight-year career in the minors with a 86-60 record and a 2.80 ERA.

Nellie had his best season with the Pirates in 1956, going 4-1 plus 6 saves in 38 appearances with a 3.15 ERA. He went 2-1 in 1957 but his mound career was cut short when he developed arm trouble at age 29 in 1958. He finished his major league career with a 7-5 record with six saves in 95 games: his main teammates were Bob Friend, Frank Thomas and Dale Long.

Nellie was later a radio broadcaster for the Pirates, teaming with Bob Prince, from 1967 through 1975. King was the Sports Information Director at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh from 1976 to 1993, and was a longtime color commentator on the school's basketball games. He also coached Duquesne's golf team for many years.

Record

As a hitter, King holds the career record for the most sacrifices (five) by a retired player who never reached base safely.

Sources

Baseball Players of the 1950s

Related Sites

• Nellie King at the SABR Bio Project
• BR Minors Page
• Nellie King Sports Connection