Books and articles about Cliff Melton

Friends dubbed the guitar-playing balladeer from the hills of North Carolina "Mountain Music." Others taunted the gentle, 6'5" giant because of his large, floppy ears. He blew a chance with the Yankees when he couldn't ignore the Cubs' Gabby Hartnett's needling during an exhibition game. After Melton was returned to Baltimore, GM Jack Ogden gave him a bonus every time he went after his tormentors. Twice, the huge lefthander charged into enemy dugouts.

He was 20-9 and had a league-high seven saves as a Giants rookie in 1937, but was beaten twice by the Yankees in the World Series. He was an under-.500 pitcher from 1939 on, and left the majors in 1944 after an arm injury and conflicts with management. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » April 25, 1937: Giants rookie P Cliff Melton strikes out 13 in his first ML game but loses to the Boston Bees 3-1. » September 29, 1937: New York rookie Cliff Melton wins his 20th game in the opening game of a doubleheader, but the Phillies beat the Giants in the 2nd game, preventing New York from clinching the flag. They will do this the following day when Carl Hubbell wins his 22nd game. » October 7, 1937: The Yankees win the 2nd game, again by an 8-1 score, with Red Ruffing beating Cliff Melton. Ruffing fans 8 and drives in 3 runs with 2 hits. » September 15, 1938: Brothers Lloyd and Paul Waner of the Pirates hit consecutive HRs off Cliff Melton in the 5th inning at the Polo Grounds. » May 7, 1939: Before 36,005 at the Polo Grounds, the Giants crush the Cubs, 10–3. Mel Ott has a triple double, and two singles, while ex-Cubbies Billy Jurges and Frank Demaree have two hits apiece. Cliff Melton is the winner for the Giants, now 8-8. » August 30, 1954: In beating St. Louis 4-1 on four hits, Johnny Antonelli becomes the first lefty to win 20 games for the Giants since Carl Hubbell and Cliff Melton in 1937.