A wild fireballer, Queen was among the NL strikeout leaders (with 123) as(L-h)h)h)a Pirate in 1951, his most active season. He was a winner only in 1944, going 6-3 for the Yankees. His son, Melvin Douglas Queen, was a major league outfielder-turned-pitcher. (ME)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » August 27, 1951: "The two fine Italian arms of Branca and Furillo had a no-hitter running for eight innings" writes columnist Dick Young; in the 3rd inning Ralph Branca's no-hitter seems broken by a one-hop shot to RF by pitcher Mel Queen, but Carl Furillo guns him out at first. Branca, pitching on two days rest, finally gives up two Pirate hits in the 9th before winning, 5–0. In the nitecap the Pirates jump on Erv Palica for three runs in the first inning and hold on for a 5–3 win behind Bill Werle and Vern Law. Clyde McCullough is the "Big Un" with a two-run double and a two-run homer. The Pirates continue to be the only team with a season edge on the Dodgers.