Mel Ott

Melvin Thomas Ott (March 2, 1909 – November 21, 1958), nicknamed "Master Melvin", was an American former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right fielder for the New York Giants, from 1926 through 1947.

Ott was born in Gretna, the seat of government of Jefferson Parish in suburban New Orleans. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was an All-Star for eleven consecutive seasons, and was the first National League player to surpass 500 career home runs. He was unusually slight in stature for a power hitter, at 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m), 170 pounds (77 kg).

He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1951.

Playing career

Power hitter

Ott was a six-time NL home run leader, in 1932, 1934, 1936–38, and 1942. From 1928 to 1945, he led the New York Giants in home runs. This 18-season consecutive dominance is a record; no other player has ever led his team in more consecutive years in a single Triple Crown category. He was both the youngest player to hit 100 home runs and the first National Leaguer to hit 500 home runs. He passed Rogers Hornsby to become the all-time NL home run leader in 1937 and held that title until Willie Mays passed him in 1966.