Queen failed to hit in three trials as an outfielder, but switched to pitching at the major league level during the 1966 season and went 14-8 in 1967 with a 2.76 ERA and good control. He missed most of 1968 with a sore shoulder and spent most of 1969 coming back in the minors. Traded to California, he was moved to the bullpen and collected nine saves in 1970, and also went 3-for-4 as a pinch hitter that year. He went 2-2 with four saves and a 1.77 ERA in 1971, but faded the next year. His father, also named Mel, pitched for the Yankees and Pirates. (SFS)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » April 27, 1967: Reds P Mel Queen provides a royal effort, pitching five 2/3 innings of no hit relief as the Reds beat Houston, 7–2. » September 1, 1967: Cincinnati's Bob Lee walks Dick Groat with the bases loaded in the 21st inning to give the Giants a 1–0 victory at Candlestick. Twenty scoreless innings tie the ML mark set by the Pirates and the Braves on August 1, 1918, a game Pittsburgh also won in the 21st, 2–0. Gaylord Perry, with nine one-run losses during the season, pitches the first 16 innings of shutout ball, while Mel Queen tosses nine 1/3 inning for the Reds. » September 24, 1997: With the Blue Jays in last place, Toronto fires manager Cito Gaston before today's game with the Orioles. Gaston took the team to the World Series in 1992 and 1993. Coach Mel Queen was named as interim manager for the last five games. The O's then beat the Jays, 9–3, to clinch the American League East title. Baltimore was never out of first place, just the 6th ML team to hold first place every day of the season.