Mel Roach

From BR Bullpen

Melvin Earl Roach

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
School University of Virginia
Debut July 31, 1953
Final Game September 28, 1962
Born January 25, 1933 in Richmond, VA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Mel Roach' signed a $45,000 bonus contract with the Milwaukee Braves, in 1953, following two years at the University of Virginia, where he was a quarterback on the football team. Mel also had to remain on the big league roster for two years because of the bonus rule. Primarily a second baseman who was also used at first and third base and in the outfield, Roach would hit .238 in his eight major league seasons.

Mel was hitless in six at-bats playing in only eight games his first two years before entering the United States Navy for two years (1955-56) during the Korean War. On his return in 1957, he was sent to the minor leagues with the Jacksonville Braves of the class A South Atlantic League and also spent time with the Atlanta Crackers of the AA Southern Association. Mel had a combined batting average of .304 with 7 homers in 401 at-bats. Mel also appeared in 7 games with 1957 Braves, the year they won the World Series, beating the New York Yankees 4 games to 3.

Roach was with the Wichita Braves in 1958 and appeared in 20 contests, hitting .263 and was recalled to Milwaukee where he hit .344 in 44 games. His career was then set back by a knee injury and he made it into only 19 games in 1959. He jumped back to an even .300 in 48 contests in 1960. The Braves traded Mel to the Chicago Cubs in 1961 where he fell to a .147 average in 36 games and finished up his major league career with the 1962 Phillies, appearing in 65 games and hitting at a .190 average.

Mel was 30 years old in 1963, and did not want to go back to the minor leagues, where he had spent a decent two years, hitting at a .298 average in 127 games. Roach would leave baseball after 1962 and become a bank vice president in his hometown of Richmond, VA.