Mel Ott: The Gentle Giant

by Alfred M. Martin

Overview

What baseball player had more hits than Babe Ruth, a better batting average than Willie Mays, a better slugging average than Ty Cobb, and more bases on balls than Stan Musial? This is the inspirational story of Melvin Thomas Ott, who at the strapping age of sixteen became a major league baseball player under the tutelage of the legendary manager of the New York Giants, John McGraw. Beyond the statistical record of this truly great baseball player, this book focuses on Mel Ott's personal life, his strong family ties, and the contributions which he made to the game of baseball. This volume is enhanced by intimate contact with the Ott family, particularly his daughters Lyn and Barbara, both of whom contributed to the story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810845985
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/25/2003
Series:	American Sports History Series , #24
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.66(w) x 8.76(h) x 0.68(d)

About the Author

Alfred M. Martin is a World War II veteran, and a retired public school administrator. He first saw Mel Ott play in 1936.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Chapter 3 A Day at the Polo Grounds Chapter 4 The Boy From Louisiana Chapter 5 Mel Ott Meets John McGraw Chapter 6 The Golden Years Chapter 7 Who Says "Nice Guys Finish Last"? Chapter 8 Let's Look at the Record Chapter 9 As Others Saw Him Chapter 10 Heroes and Role Models Chapter 11 Greetings From the Hall of Fame Chapter 12 End of an Era (1883-1957) Chapter 13 The Bottom of the Ninth Chapter 14 Ott Remembered Chapter 15 Bibliography Chapter 16 Index Chapter 17 About the Author

What People are Saying About This

Gretna Picayune

If you are a lover of baseball, you will enjoy all the batting statistics. But even if you care not about the game, you will enjoy the story.

Editorial Reviews

Martin's book is a must-read for Mel Ott and baseball fans.

Hcia Communique

[an] interesting saga of Ott's Life....More than a reference book on an unlikely, stunning career that today's youngsters may be unaware of, Martin's admiration fills The Gentle Giant-and it seems everyone else in the game held Ott in the same high regardddd

The Times-Picayune

If you are a lover of baseball, you will enjoy all the batting statistics. But even if you care not about the game, you will enjoy the story.

Gretna Picayune

Martin's book is a must-read for Mel Ott and baseball fans.--Hcia Communique

If you are a lover of baseball, you will enjoy all the batting statistics. But even if you care not about the game, you will enjoy the story.--Gretna Picayune

[an] interesting saga of Ott's Life....More than a reference book on an unlikely, stunning career that today's youngsters may be unaware of, Martin's admiration fills "The Gentle Giant"-and it seems everyone else in the game held Ott in the same high regard--The Times-Picayune

From the Publisher