Nellie Fox

Jacob Nelson "Nellie" Fox (December 25, 1927 - December 1, 1975) was a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Chicago White Sox and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Fox is best known for the White Sox's 1959 World Series season, when he was selected as the MVP of the American League.

Related Topics:
December 25 - 1927 - December 1 - 1975 - Major League Baseball - Second baseman - Chicago White Sox - Baseball Hall of Fame - 1959 - World Series - MVP - American League

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Fox was born in St. Thomas Township, Pennsylvania. In his career he played with the Philadelphia Athletics (1947-49), the White Sox (1950-63), and the Houston Colt .45s and Astros. He was traded by the Athletics to Chicago on October 29, 1949.

Related Topics:
St. Thomas Township, Pennsylvania - Philadelphia Athletics - Houston Colt .45s and Astros - October 29 - 1949

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With the White Sox, Fox worked alongside shortstops like Venezuelans Chico Carrasquel (1950-55) and hall-of-famer Luis Aparicio (1956-62), and was, year after year, a member of the strongest infield in the League. Only 5'9", he made up for his modest size and minimal power (he hit only 35 home runs in his career) with his good batting eye, excellent fielding, and baserunning speed. In 1959, he batted .306 and reached base .380 of the time. Although not known as a great hitter (lifetime .288 batting average), he batted over .300 six times, with 2663 hits, 355 doubles, and 112 triples. He also led the league in singles for seven straight years, in triples once, and in hits four times. In addition, he won three Gold Gloves and was a twelve-time All Star.

Related Topics:
Venezuela - Chico Carrasquel - Luis Aparicio - Infield - Home run - Reached base - Batting average - Singles

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Fox was not selected to the Hall of Fame in his initial period of eligibility. In his final opportunity, in 1985, he gained 74.6 percent of the vote when 75 percent was required for election by the Baseball Writers Association of America. However, the longtime disappointment of his admirers was finally relieved in 1997, when the Veterans Committee elected him to membership in the Hall.

Related Topics:
Baseball Writers Association of America - 1997 - Veterans Committee

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Nellie Fox died of cancer in Baltimore, Maryland, at the age of 48.

Related Topics:
Cancer - Baltimore, Maryland

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