Sam Mele was a natural all-around athlete, a New York University basketball star and a Queens Park baseball legend. He opt to play baseball and signed with the Boston Red Sox. In 1947, his first season, Mele hit .302, 12 homers and 73 RBI's. Injuries and illness held him back in 1948-49 and he was traded to the Washington Senators in 1950 where he hit .274 with 86 RBI's.

Sam Mele was rated as one of the better fielding outfielders and usually was among the league leaders in fielding average. He missed almost the entire 1952 year due to injuries again and the next year was traded to the White Sox and hit .274, 26 doubles and 82 RBI's. Sam Mele became the Minnesota Twins' manager in 1961 and he led them to a pennant in 1965 with a 102-60 record. His seven year managing record was 524-436. Sam Mele career stats: .267, 916 hits, 168 doubles, walked 311 times, 342 K's in 3437 at bats.