Mel Clark
Born: 7/7/1924 in Letart, WV, USA
Died: 5/1/2014 in West Columbia, WV, USA
MLB Debut: 1951-09-11 | Final Game: 1957-05-01
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Melvin Earl Clark
Biography
Mel Clark was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1951 to 1957. Born in 1924, Clark was primarily known for his versatility as a position player, participating in 215 games throughout his career. He achieved a solid batting average of .277, which reflected his ability to hit consistently in a competitive era of baseball marked by the transition from the deadball era to a more offense-driven game.
During his tenure, Clark recorded 182 hits, contributing to 63 runs batted in and hitting 3 home runs. He also showcased his speed on the basepaths, finishing his career with 3 stolen bases. Although not a superstar, Clark's reliability and performance in the field helped solidify his role on his teams during a time when baseball was evolving and attracting a larger fan base. His contributions to the game remain a part of baseball history, highlighting the efforts of players who laid the groundwork for future generations.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 215 | 656 | 82 | 182 | 29 | 15 | 3 | 63 | 3 | 37 | 61 | 0.277 | 0.318 | 0.381 | 0.699 | -257.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | PHI | NL | 10 | 31 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.323 | 0.0 |
| 1952 | PHI | NL | 47 | 155 | 20 | 52 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 13 | 0.335 | 365.7 |
| 1953 | PHI | NL | 60 | 198 | 31 | 59 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 11 | 17 | 0.298 | -69.1 |
| 1954 | PHI | NL | 83 | 233 | 26 | 56 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 24 | 0 | 17 | 21 | 0.240 | -554.4 |
| 1955 | PHI | NL | 10 | 32 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0.156 | 0.0 |
| 1957 | DET | AL | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 169 | 61 | 335 | 19 | 6 | 4 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | PHI | OF | 7 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1952 | PHI | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1952 | PHI | OF | 38 | 0 | 81 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| 1953 | PHI | OF | 51 | 0 | 104 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1954 | PHI | OF | 63 | 52 | 114 | 9 | 5 | 2 |
| 1955 | PHI | OF | 8 | 8 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 1957 | DET | OF | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Third Base | 1 |
| Left Field | 36 |
| Right Field | 134 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio University | Athens | OH | 1947 |