Books and articles about Sam Mele

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Mele was a basketball star at NYU in the early 1940s, but pursued a pro baseball career. A journeyman player with a respectable bat, he played for seven teams in eight years. He tied for the AL lead with 36 doubles as Washington's right fielder in 1951. After the Senators moved to Minneapolis in 1961, Mele replaced Cookie Lavagetto as manager mid-season. He brought the Twins in second in 1962, and in 1965 he took them to the World Series, which they lost to the Dodgers in seven games. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » July 10, 1948: For the 6th time this year, Vern Stephens and Bobby Doerr of the Red Sox hit back-to-back homers as Boston beats the 2nd-place A's, 4–0. Jack Kramer scatters nine hits in the shutout to win his 7th straight. Ted Williams sits out the game with a damaged ligament, the result of being hit in the ribs while playfully sparring with Sam Mele on the train down from Boston yesterday. » May 30, 1952: Over the protests of manager Paul Richards, White Sox GM Frank Lane swaps fleet CF Jim Busby, along with Mel Hoderlein, to Washington for Sam Mele. Busby's loss leaves a defensive hole in the outfield, which the Sox will fill when they acquire Jim Rivera in July. » June 10, 1952: Sam Mele of the White Sox hits a 3-run HR and a 3-run triple n the fourth inning of a game at Boston, as Chicago romps 15-2. » February 5, 1954: In a swap of vets, the Orioles trade OF Johnny Groth and SS Johnny Lipon to the White Sox for OF Sam Mele and SS Neil Berry. Lipon will go to the Reds on April 18th for Grady Hatton and then retire after one National League at bat. » March 24, 1956: The Indians sign OF/1B Sam Mele, just released by the Red Sox. » June 6, 1961: Twins manager Cookie Lavagetto is given a week's vacation by owner Calvin Griffith. Coach Sam Mele temporarily replaces Lavagetto. » June 23, 1961: Cookie Lavagetto (4-6) is fired as manager of the Twins. Sam Mele again takes control of the club. » July 18, 1965: Twins manager Sam Mele is fined $500 and suspended five days following an altercation with umpire Bill Valentine in Minnesota's doubleheader split with the Angels. » June 9, 1967: Cal Ermer, who played only one game in the majors, replaces Sam Mele (25-25) as manager of the Twins. The Twins are in 6th place.