Melvin Thomas "Mel" Ott by Eliannah Hedman https://padlet.com/eliannahhedman_25/vabeanwepq2iobje the life of Mel Ott in and out of baseball en-us 2021-02-02 16:54:13 UTC 2021-02-04 16:56:17 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/26be.png Facts About His Family eliannahhedman_25 https://padlet.com/eliannahhedman_25/vabeanwepq2iobje/wish/1154774777 Melvin Thomas Ott was born on March 2, 1909, in Gretna, Louisiana. He was one of three children born to Charles and Carrie Ott. Mel’s father, a laborer in a cottonseed oil plant, and two of his uncles played on a semi-pro team, and young Melvin learned the game as a small boy. Despite his short, stocky build, Mel was a gifted athlete in all sports.]]> 2021-02-02 17:03:28 UTC https://padlet.com/eliannahhedman_25/vabeanwepq2iobje/wish/1154774777 eliannahhedman_25 https://padlet.com/eliannahhedman_25/vabeanwepq2iobje/wish/1154793328 As early as grammar school he knew more about baseball than his own teammates so he became the natural leader in pickup games and later in high school. He was dependable catcher and from the start he had the ability to hit the ball harder and longer than the other boys regardless of size. Mel’s high school team played two games a week. On other days he excelled as the lefthand-hitting catcher for a semi-pro team. It was a local custom to pass the hat when a player’s home run figured in a victory. Mel Ott was earning money with his bat at the age of 14.


]]> 2021-02-02 17:06:35 UTC https://padlet.com/eliannahhedman_25/vabeanwepq2iobje/wish/1154793328 1929 was Mel’s breakthrough season. He had career highs in doubles, home runs, RBIs, runs scored and slugging percentage. His 42 homers and 151 RBIs are the most ever for players who were 20 or younger when the season began. He proved that he was a great hitter on the road as well at the Polo Grounds. He set still-existing National League away-from-home records for runs scored (79) and RBI (87). Moreover, he hit more home runs on the road than he hit in the Polo Grounds with its short, 257-foot right field line.Expertly playing caroms off the tricky right field wall at the Polo Grounds, he had an impressive 26 outfield assists. He never again attained so many, because baserunners learned to advance very cautiously on balls hit to the rifle-armed Ott.The 1929 season had been a triumph. eliannahhedman_25 https://padlet.com/eliannahhedman_25/vabeanwepq2iobje/wish/1154816268 2021-02-02 17:10:19 UTC https://padlet.com/eliannahhedman_25/vabeanwepq2iobje/wish/1154816268 eliannahhedman_25 https://padlet.com/eliannahhedman_25/vabeanwepq2iobje/wish/1164748889 according to Hall of Fame manager Leo Durocher, one of the most popular: “I never knew a baseball player who was so universally loved. Why even when he was playing against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field, he would be cheered – and there are no more rabid fans than in Brooklyn.” Ott was adored by the hometown Giants fans, and with good reason. A six-time league-leader in homers, he hit 30-or-more eight times while also compiling nine seasons with at least 100 runs batted in.]]> 2021-02-04 16:44:50 UTC https://padlet.com/eliannahhedman_25/vabeanwepq2iobje/wish/1164748889 eliannahhedman_25 https://padlet.com/eliannahhedman_25/vabeanwepq2iobje/wish/1164773929 2021-02-04 16:48:55 UTC https://padlet.com/eliannahhedman_25/vabeanwepq2iobje/wish/1164773929 eliannahhedman_25 https://padlet.com/eliannahhedman_25/vabeanwepq2iobje/wish/1164818230 2021-02-04 16:56:17 UTC https://padlet.com/eliannahhedman_25/vabeanwepq2iobje/wish/1164818230