Master Melvin Trivia Quiz

Answer: Louisiana

"Master Melvin" Ott in Gretna, Louisiana. He was not an especially big man, but he possessed tremendous hitting power. Ott died in an automobile accident in Louisiana in 1958.

Answer: He batted left-handed and threw right-handed

Ott had a very unusual hitting style. He lifted his right leg straight up as the pitch approached and then planted it during his swing. Among modern-day ballplayers, Harold Baines was probably the closest in hitting style to Ott.

Answer: 4

Mel Ott began his Major League career by wearing uniform number 5 with the New York Giants. However, in 1933 Ott switched to uniform number 4, and he played with that number until he finished playing in 1947. Ott's number 4 was retired by the Giants in 1949. Mel Ott was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1951.

Answer: John McGraw

When Mel Ott arrived in the Major Leagues in 1926, he was only a raw teenager. The "Little Napoleon" managed the Giants from 1902 to 1932 and is considered one of the best skippers in Major League history. McGraw only gave Ott limited playing time for Mel's first two seasons, but by the 1928 season, Ott had become a star.

In 1926, Bill McKechnie was managing the Pirates, and Joe McCarthy was managing the Cubs. Casey Stengel didn't become a big league manager until the 1934 season.

Answer: Right field

He possessed a strong throwing arm and good outfield instincts. Ott played for a short time at third base in 1937 and 1938, but then switched back to the outfield after the 1938 season.

Answer: Chuck Klein

Mel Ott had a tremendous season in 1929, belting 42 home runs, knocking home 151 runs, and achieving a .328 batting average. In the final game of the 1929 season, the Phillies played against the Giants. Phillies' manager Burt Shotton ordered Ott to be intentionally walked five times in order to preserve Klein's home run title. Don Hurst hit 31 home runs for the Phillies in 1929, and Lefty O'Doul belted 32 home runs for Philadelphia. Hack Wilson played for the Cubs in 1929.

Answer: Washington Senators

In 1933, the New York Giants defeated the Washington Senators, four games to one to capture the World Series title. In the series, Ott slammed two home runs and knocked in four runs while notching an impressive .389 batting average. The Senators' lineup featured such stars as Goose Goslin and Heinie Manush. The Giants were led by pitcher Carl Hubbell and player-manager Bill Terry.

Answer: He became the first player-manager ever to win a home run title

Mel Ott became the first player-manager to win a home run crown when he belted 30 round trippers during the 1942 season. Ott was player-manager for the Giants from 1942-1947, then became a full-time manager for the 1948 campaign. Unfortunately, Ott didn't have much success as a big league skipper.

His best managerial performance was a third place finish in 1942. Overall, Ott had a record of 464-530. Ott replaced Bill Terry as manager of the Giants, and Ott was replaced by Leo Durocher following the 1948 season.

Answer: Polo Grounds

Mel Ott played his entire Major League career with the New York Giants, thus Ott's home field was the Polo Grounds in Upper Manhattan. The Polo Grounds had a distinctive horseshoe shape, with short distances to left and right fields and a cavernous centerfield. Ebbets Field was home to the Brooklyn Dodgers, and Crosley Field was the home of the Cincinnati Reds.

Answer: Willie Mays

His record stood until the 1966 season when San Francisco outfielder Willie Mays belted career home run number 512. Mays would end his career with 660 National League home runs. Ernie Banks played with the Cubs, Eddie Mathews spent most of his career with the Braves, and Frank Robinson played with the Orioles in 1966.