Cliff Melton

From BR Bullpen

Clifford George Melton (Mickey Mouse or Mountain Music)

Bats Left, Throws Left
Height 6' 5½" Weight 203 lb.

Debut April 25, 1937
Final Game September 29, 1944
Born January 3, 1912 in Brevard, NC USA
Died July 28, 1986 in Baltimore, MD USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Cliff Melton was nicknamed "Mickey Mouse" after the cartoon character due to his prominent ears. His "Mountain Music" nickname came from his love of playing the Appalachian music of his native Blue Ridge mountians in western North Carolina on the guitar.

In his major league debut at the Polo Grounds against the Boston Bees, Cliff Melton pitched eight shutout innings for the New York Giants and struck out 13, but was the losing pitcher in a 3 - 1 game. The 13 strikeouts stood as a National League rookie record until 1954.

Cliff Melton married Mary Angela Anello in 1934. They had three children, Mary, Clifford, Jr., and Stephanie. They made their home in Baltimore, MD after Cliff's baseball career. Cliff worked for a Baltimore lumber company until 1974. He was an avid golfer throughout retirement.

Source: Personal research and telephone inverview with family member, August, 2005.

There seems to be some debate about his height; his 1939 Play Ball card says 6' 3½".