Duke Carmel
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2008) |
| Duke Carmel | |
|---|---|
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 10, 1959, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| May 2, 1965, for the New York Yankees | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .211 |
| Home runs | 4 |
| Runs batted in | 23 |
| Teams | |
| |
Leon James "Duke" Carmel (April 23, 1937 – August 3, 2021) was an American
Career
Carmel threw and batted
He had his
Carmel then became the Mets' starting first baseman. With regular play, his offensive performance perked up, and on August 8 at the Polo Grounds he had perhaps his best day as a major leaguer. Playing against his old team, the Cardinals, Carmel went three for four, hitting his second career home run in the eighth inning, facing left-handed relief pitcher Bobby Shantz, to win the game, 3–2.[2] Although Carmel had two more three-hit games, on September 2 and 26, he hit only .175 during that month, dropping his season average to .233, with four home runs and 20 runs batted in.
He was then assigned outright to the Buffalo Bisons, the Mets' Triple-A affiliate, for the entire 1964 season. Carmel responded by blasting a career-high 35 homers, four behind league leader Mack Jones' 39. His power display earned Carmel one final MLB trial. Selected by the Yankees in the Rule 5 draft, he began 1965 on the Bombers' roster, playing under his old St. Louis manager, Johnny Keane. But he went hitless in eight at bats, and after May 2 he was sent back to Buffalo. He retired after the 1967 minor league season. All told, he collected 48 hits in the majors, with seven doubles, three triples and four home runs, batting .211 lifetime with 23 runs batted in.
References
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)