| One of the most appealing home run hitters of all was Mel Ott, whose small stature and youthful debut invested him with an air of boyishness that lingered throughout a 22-year New York Giant career. Pound for pound, the 5-9, 170 pound Ott may have been the strongest hitter the game ever knew.
Mel Ott belted 511 HR's. Louisiana lumber magnate Harry Williams 'discovered' Ott catching for a team he sponsored. Williams sent the 16-year old to New York and manager John McGraw was impressed with the lad's even swing, power and timing, though puzzled by his habit of hiking his right leg up in the air at the start of his swing. "I always hit that way, Mr. McGraw," Ott said, "I guess it just comes natural to me." "Then keep hitting that way," McGraw advised. "Don't let anyone change you." Ott was a regular by the time he was 19 and played outfield most of his career.
He led the league in homers six times and had a high of 42 in 1929. Ott was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1951, but he died at the age of 49 in 1958 as a result of an auto accident. "The Home Run Book" by "Topps Baseball Card Co." 1981-Edition- by Zander Hollander |
