| Cliff Melton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1912-01-03)January 3, 1912 Brevard, North Carolina, U.S. | |
| Died: July 28, 1986(1986-07-28) (aged 74) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 25, 1937, for the New York Giants | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 29, 1944, for the New York Giants | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 86–80 |
| Earned run average | 3.42 |
| Strikeouts | 660 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Clifford George Melton (January 3, 1912 – July 28, 1986) was an American professionalbaseball left-handedpitcher, who played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theNew York Giants over parts of eight seasons spanning 1937–44. Listed at 6 ft 5.5 in (1.969 m), 203 lb (92 kg), Melton batted left-handed.[1]
A native ofBrevard, North Carolina, Melton had two different nicknames: "Mickey Mouse" and "Mountain Music". Hiscousin,Rube, pitched in the major leagues for six seasons.[1]Cliff found a home for the rest of his life in Baltimore. On October 17, 1933, he married Mary Angela Anello, daughter of a Baltimore Italian-American family. They spent winters in the city during Melton’s baseball journeys, raised their three children–Mary, Clifford Jr., and Stephanie–in Baltimore, and retired there.
Melton enjoyed his best year in his rookie season of 1937, when he had a record of 20–9 with a 2.61earned run average (ERA) and topped theNational League (NL) with sevensaves, helping the Giants win the NL pennant before losing to theNew York Yankees in the1937 World Series. Melton also was named to the National League All-Star team in 1942.[1]
For his career, Melton posted an 86–80 record with a 3.42 ERA in 272 pitching appearances (179 starts), andstriking out 660 batters whilewalking 431 in1,453+2⁄3innings of work. In World Series play, he went 0–2 with a 4.91 ERA in three games (two starts), including seven strikeouts and six walks in 11 innings.
Melton died on July 28, 1986, inBaltimore, Maryland, at the age of 74.[2]
On September 15, 1938, Melton was on themound the first time that twobrothers hit back-to-backhome runs in major league history.[3] The batters wereLloyd Waner andPaul Waner of thePittsburgh Pirates. (The second time was not until April 23, 2013, whenB. J. Upton andJustin Upton of theAtlanta Braves homered againstColorado Rockies'Jon Garland.)[4][5]