Dave Nelson

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Dave Nelson
Runs batted in
211
Teams
Career highlights and awards

David Earl Nelson (June 20, 1944 – April 22, 2018) was an American

Fox Sports Wisconsin
.

During a period in the early 2010 season, Nelson was the team's interim radio

Rickie Weeks.[2]

Early years

Nelson was born in

Los Angeles State College.[2] Nelson served for six years in the Army Reserve.[2]

Playing career

Nelson played his first career game with the

Washington Senators with Ron Law and Horacio Piña for Dennis Higgins and Barry Moore during the 1969–70 offseason.[2][4]

In 1971, Nelson began seeing regular time in the field, coming to bat over 300 times for the first time in his career.[5] At the end of that season, Nelson scored the last run ever for the Washington Senators at RFK stadium.[6]

Nelson moved with the franchise to Texas, where he continued to gain a reputation as a base-stealing threat, stealing 51 bases in 1972.[5] He had his best year in 1973, when he played in his one and only All-Star Game, playing one inning at third base but not coming to bat.[7] That year, he finished with a batting average of .286, with seven home runs and 48 RBIs.[3] He remained with the Rangers until being traded to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Nelson Briles following the 1975 season.[5]

Nelson spent two seasons in Kansas City, playing sparingly off the bench.[5] In 1976, he got his only taste of postseason action.[5] Pinch-hitting for Tom Poquette in Game 3 of the 1976 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, he grounded out against Sparky Lyle.[8] He played in his final major league game on September 27, 1977, then retired after the season.[5]

Post-playing career

Coaching

In 1980, Nelson was named a coach for

Cleveland Indians (1992–1997), and Milwaukee Brewers (minor league outfield instructor, 2001–2002, first base coach, 2003–2006).[9]

Broadcasting

Nelson was a pregame analyst for the

Cleveland Indians radio broadcasts from 1998–1999.[9]

Charity work

Nelson also sat on the board of directors for Open Arms Home for Children, a non-profit organization that provides homes to orphaned children affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in South Africa.[4]

Death

Nelson died of

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the age of 73.[4][5]

Honors

On May 26, 2012 Nelson was inducted into the Compton Community College Athletics Hall of Fame, under the category of Baseball.[4]

References

  1. ^ "WTMJ Radio's short-term plan". Journal Sentinel. April 27, 2010. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d "Former Brewers coach, broadcaster Davey Nelson passes away at 73". Fox News. April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Davey Nelson Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Davey Nelson, analyst for Brewers television crew and team alumni director, dies at 73". Journal Sentinel. April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Former All-Star second baseman Nelson dies". MLB. April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  6. ^ "RFK Stadium". MLB. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 22, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  7. ^ "1973 All-Star Game at Kaufman Stadium". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  8. ^ "1976 American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 3". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  9. ^ a b c "Dave Nelson, former Texas Rangers All Star, has died". Lone Star Ball. April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.

External links