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Card: 1934 Goudey #45
Position: 2B
playerbio
Player Bio:
Chicago native Oscar Donald "Ski" Melillo was a second baseman and coach in Major League Baseball. In a 12-season career, Ski played for the St. Louis Browns and the Boston Red Sox, posting a lifetime .260 batting average. He briefly served as manager of the St. Louis Browns in 1938 and was also a member of the coaching staff for the Cleveland Indians' 1948 World Series championship team
Melillo was nicknamed 'Ski' and 'Spinach'. In 1926, Melillo suffered from Bright's disease. Melillo's doctor prescribed him a steady diet of spinach as a result. He also suffered from zoophobia, a generic term for the class of specific phobias to particular animals, including rabbits, birds and snakes. His animal phobia led to many pranks from both opposing players and teammates.
Ski was the AL Singles Leader in 1931. As a veteran player, Ski was chosen to tutor young Bobby Doerr, who became a legendary Red Sox player. He coached off and on through 1956, first with the 1938 Browns (managing the last 10 games of the season).
(excerpted from SABR, BR Bullpen & Wikipedia)
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Ski Melillo is part of the Born in Chicago Tour – Next Stop
Ski is also part of the MLB Managers Tour – Go to the Next Stop
Ski is part of the Boston Red Sox Player Tour – Go to the Next Stop
“Ski” is part of the Great Italian American Player Nicknames Tour – Go to the Next Stop
See all Ski’s baseball cards at TCDB
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