Dave Nelson
Born: 6/20/1944 in Fort Sill, OK, USA
Died: 4/23/2018 in Milwaukee, WI, USA
MLB Debut: 1968-04-11 | Final Game: 1977-09-27
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 160 lbs
Full name: David Earl Nelson
Biography
Dave Nelson, born in 1944, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1968 to 1977. Primarily a position player, Nelson appeared in 813 games throughout his career, showcasing his skills as a versatile athlete. He accumulated 630 hits, including 20 home runs, and drove in 211 RBIs, while maintaining a batting average of .244. Known for his speed on the bases, he recorded 187 stolen bases, demonstrating an ability to disrupt opposing defenses and add an element of excitement to the game.
Nelson was selected as an All-Star during his career, a testament to his impact on the field and recognition among his peers. He played during a transformative era in baseball, navigating the transition from the more traditional styles of play into a game increasingly characterized by speed and power. His contributions to the teams he played for were significant, as he not only provided offensive production but also added depth and versatility, qualities that were highly valued during his playing days. Nelson's legacy lies in his ability to influence games with his speed and tenacity, leaving an indelible mark on the teams he represented.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 813 | 2578 | 340 | 630 | 77 | 19 | 20 | 211 | 187 | 220 | 392 | 0.244 | 0.305 | 0.312 | 0.618 | -4332.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | CLE | AL | 88 | 189 | 26 | 44 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 19 | 23 | 17 | 35 | 0.233 | -198.8 |
| 1969 | CLE | AL | 52 | 123 | 11 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 26 | 0.203 | -668.6 |
| 1970 | WS2 | AL | 47 | 107 | 5 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 24 | 0.159 | -878.2 |
| 1971 | WS2 | AL | 85 | 329 | 47 | 92 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 33 | 17 | 23 | 29 | 0.280 | 169.0 |
| 1972 | TEX | AL | 145 | 499 | 68 | 113 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 28 | 51 | 67 | 81 | 0.226 | -535.5 |
| 1973 | TEX | AL | 142 | 576 | 71 | 165 | 24 | 4 | 7 | 48 | 43 | 34 | 78 | 0.286 | -104.6 |
| 1974 | TEX | AL | 121 | 474 | 71 | 112 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 42 | 25 | 34 | 72 | 0.236 | -1454.9 |
| 1975 | TEX | AL | 28 | 80 | 9 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 0.212 | -204.3 |
| 1976 | KCR | AL | 78 | 153 | 24 | 36 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 26 | 0.235 | -296.1 |
| 1977 | KCR | AL | 27 | 48 | 8 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 0.188 | -160.4 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | ALCS | KCA | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 3 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 2B | 466 | 411 | 1016 | 1151 | 53 | 278 |
| 3B | 203 | 193 | 170 | 371 | 33 | 40 |
| OF | 17 | 16 | 25 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| SS | 14 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 1 | 1 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | CLE | 2B | 59 | 53 | 115 | 114 | 3 | 26 |
| 1968 | CLE | SS | 14 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 1 | 1 |
| 1969 | CLE | 2B | 33 | 30 | 78 | 94 | 6 | 28 |
| 1969 | CLE | OF | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1970 | WS2 | 2B | 33 | 21 | 64 | 79 | 2 | 19 |
| 1971 | WS2 | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1971 | WS2 | 3B | 84 | 80 | 63 | 149 | 14 | 15 |
| 1972 | TEX | 3B | 119 | 113 | 107 | 222 | 19 | 25 |
| 1972 | TEX | OF | 15 | 16 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1973 | TEX | 2B | 140 | 137 | 327 | 364 | 11 | 98 |
| 1974 | TEX | 2B | 120 | 119 | 295 | 337 | 20 | 74 |
| 1975 | TEX | 2B | 23 | 20 | 56 | 60 | 5 | 16 |
| 1976 | KCA | 1B | 3 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 1976 | KCA | 2B | 46 | 26 | 70 | 88 | 4 | 14 |
| 1977 | KCA | 2B | 11 | 5 | 11 | 14 | 2 | 3 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 2 |
| Second Base | 467 |
| Third Base | 202 |
| Shortstop | 14 |
| Left Field | 8 |
| Center Field | 10 |
| Right Field | 1 |
| Designated Hitter | 32 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 33th | 2.0 | 336 | 0 |