Rocky Nelson
Encyclopedia
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 left-handed. Despite pre-1959 stints with five major league 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
. 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. 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 Most Valuable Player Award
winner 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.
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.” 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 right-handed 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.
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. 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 double
s, 14 triples, 31 home run
s, 173 RBI, 7 stolen bases, 130 walks
, .249 batting average
, .317 on-base percentage, .379 slugging percentage, 529 total bases
, 11 sacrifice hit
s, 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 1961 season.
Nelson died at age 81 in 2006 in his native city of Portsmouth.
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1949–51 and 1956), Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1951 and 1959–61), Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1951), Brooklyn Dodgers (1952 and 1956) and Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(1954).
A native of Portsmouth, Ohio
Portsmouth, Ohio
Portsmouth is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Scioto County. The municipality is located on the northern banks of the Ohio River and east of the Scioto River in Southern Ohio. The population was 20,226 at the 2010 census.-Foundation:...
, Nelson batted and threw left-handed. Despite pre-1959 stints with five major league clubs, Nelson failed to stick with a major league team for half a season. Reggie Otero
Reggie Otero
Regino José Otero Gómez was a Cuban baseball player who had a long career in the minor leagues in the United States , and played briefly with the Chicago Cubs in 1945. He also played 13 years in the Cuban Professional League. He was a left-handed batter, but threw right-handed...
, manager of the Havana Sugar Kings
Havana Sugar Kings
The Havana Sugar Kings were a Cuban-based minor league baseball team that played in the Class AAA International League from 1954 to 1960 . They were affiliated with Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds, and their home stadium was El Gran Estadio del Cerro in Havana, Cuba.-History:The Sugar...
, saw Nelson clobber major league pitchers while playing winter baseball in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. 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
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. As a rookie in 1948, he helped the Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
qualify for the Governors' Cup
Governors' Cup
The Governors' Cup is the trophy awarded each year to the champion of the International League, one of the two current Triple-A level minor leagues of Major League Baseball.-Governors' Cup history:...
playoffs. From 1953 to 1955, while playing for the Montreal Royals
Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
, 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 Most Valuable Player Award
International League Most Valuable Player Award
The International League Most Valuable Player Award is an annual award given to the best player in minor league baseball's International League.-Key:-Winners:-See also:*Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player Award...
winner 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.
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
Jack Kent Cooke
Jack Kent Cooke was a Canadian entrepreneur and former owner of the Washington Redskins , the Los Angeles Lakers , and the Los Angeles Kings , and built The Forum in Inglewood, California and FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.-Early career:Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Cooke moved with his family to...
boasted that “…whatever is worth buying in the pitching or power line will find its way to Toronto.” In 1958, Nelson was voted International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
most valuable player after winning the triple crown
Triple crown (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a player earns the Triple Crown when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories. For batters, a player must lead the league in home runs, run batted in , and batting average; pitchers must lead the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average...
, 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
Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum is a museum located in St. Marys, Ontario, Canada. The museums commemorates great players, teams, and accomplishments of baseball in Canada.-History:...
in 1987.
In 1959, Nelson would catch on with the Pittsburgh Pirates. From 1959 to 1961, Nelson was a platoon first baseman, playing behind right-handed slugger Dick Stuart
Dick Stuart
Richard Lee Stuart was a Major League Baseball first baseman from 1958 to 1966 and 1969. In 1967 and 1968, he played in Japan for the Taiyo Whales. Throughout his baseball career, Stuart was known as a fine hitter, but a subpar fielder, garnering the unique nickname of "Dr. Strangeglove" for his...
. 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
Harvey Haddix
Harvey Haddix, Jr. was a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played with the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Redlegs , Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles . Haddix was born in Medway, Ohio, located just outside of Springfield...
lost his perfect game bid in the 13th inning.
Nelson would also make an appearance in the 1960 World Series
1960 World Series
The 1960 World Series was played between the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League and the New York Yankees of the American League from October 5 to October 13, 1960...
, where he belted a two-run home run off pitcher Bob Turley
Bob Turley
Robert Lee Turley was a Major League Baseball pitcher.Turley was signed as an amateur free agent by the St. Louis Browns in . He played his first game on September 29, 1951 for the Browns and moved with them to Baltimore in...
in the first inning of the seventh game. Not as dramatic as teammate Bill Mazeroski
Bill Mazeroski
William Stanley Mazeroski , nicknamed "Maz", is a former Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
’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
1960 World Series
The 1960 World Series was played between the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League and the New York Yankees of the American League from October 5 to October 13, 1960...
.
During all or parts of nine major league seasons, Nelson played in 620 games and had 1,394 at-bats
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
, 186 runs scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 347 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 61 double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
s, 14 triples, 31 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 173 RBI, 7 stolen bases, 130 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, .249 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, .317 on-base percentage, .379 slugging percentage, 529 total bases
Total bases
In baseball statistics, total bases refers to the number of bases a player has gained with hits, i.e., the sum of his hits weighted by 1 for a single, 2 for a double, 3 for a triple and 4 for a home run.Only bases attained from hits count toward this total....
, 11 sacrifice hit
Sacrifice hit
In baseball, a sacrifice bunt is a batter's act of deliberately bunting the ball in a manner that allows a runner on base to advance to another base. The batter is almost always sacrificed but sometimes reaches base due to an error or fielder's choice...
s, 8 sacrifice flies
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
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 1961 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| Year | Team | Statistics |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Montreal Royals Montreal Royals The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League... |
37 HR, 130 RBI, .364 Batting Average |
| 1958 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 43 HR, 120 RBI, .326 Batting Average |