Mel Ott
Inducted:
1951
Player Details
Stats
5-9, 170lb (175cm, 77kg)
Born:
March 2, 1909
Gretna, Louisiana, U.S.
Died:
November 21, 1958
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Position:
Right fielder
Manager
College:
NA
Melvin Thomas “Mel” Ott (born March 2, 1909, Gretna, Louisiana; died November 21, 1958) was a legendary slugger who spent his entire 22-year MLB career with the New York Giants (1926–1947). Making his debut at just 17, he quickly earned the nickname “Master Melvin.”
Ott became the first National Leaguer to hit over 500 career home runs, finishing with 511, and led the NL in homers six times. He was an 11-time All-Star (1934–1945) and helped the Giants win the 1933 World Series. A .304 career hitter with a .414 on-base percentage and .947 OPS, Ott was also known for his famous high-legged batting stance. He managed the Giants from 1942 to 1947 before transitioning to broadcasting.
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1951, Ott’s combination of consistency, power, and longevity left a lasting mark on MLB history.
Ott's Awards and Records
- 12× All-Star (1934–1945)
- World Series champion (1933)
- 6× NL home run leader (1932, 1934, 1936–1938, 1942)
- NL RBI leader (1934)
- San Francisco Giants No. 4 retired
MLB Records
- First National League player to hit 500 career home runs
- Most home runs by a left-handed National League batter at retirement (511 HRs)
- Most games played before age 30: 1,739 games
- Most career home runs at the Polo Grounds: 323
- Led NL in home runs 6 times: 1932, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1942
- One of only 3 players to hit 30+ home runs in 8 consecutive seasons during the 1930s
- Hit 18 career pinch-hit home runs, an NL record at the time
MLB Teams
As player
New York Giants (1926–1947)
As manager
New York Giants (1942–1948)
Number Worn
4
MLB Stats
Games played
2,730
Batting average
.304
Hits
2,876
Home runs
511
Runs batted in
1,860
Runs scored
1,859
On-base %
.414
Slugging %
.533
OPS
.947
Stolen bases
89