Old Time New York Giants Pitcher: Cliff Melton (1937-19440

Clifford George Melton was born January 3, 1912 in Brevard, North Carolina. The tall 6' 3" lefty, was called "Mountain Music" because of his love of playing guitar. He would strum to the Appalachian music of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

He would also be taunted to the name of Mickey Mous due to his large ears. During an exhibition game, Melton blew a chance of getting to the majors when he couldn't ignore the Cubs' Gabby Harrnett's needling during an exhibition game. Melton went after him. even though he was still a minor leaguer. After Melton returned back to the Baltimore minor league club, his GM Jack Ogden, would give him a bonus every time he went after some one who harassed him.

He made his MLB debut on April 15, 1937 at the Polo Grounds against the Boston Bees. He pitched eight shutout innings while striking out a then record 13 batters for a rookie pitcher. The record held until 1954. Melton took a rough 3-1 loss on that day. 

Melton went on to have his best season that year, winning twenty games (20-9) second most wins in the league to teamate Carl Hubbell. He posted a 2.61 ERA (second in the league), appearing  in 46 games for the Giants (27 starts) & out of the bull pen his seven saves were best in the league. He pitched 248 innings tossing two shutouts striking out 141 batters. At the time there were no Rookie of the Year Awards given out,  which would have surley been given to Melton. Instead he came in 11th place in the MVP voting.

Post Season: In the 1937 World Series he started Game #2 at New York, pitching only four innings and taking the 2-1 loss against Red Ruffing.

He then pitched two hitless innings of relief in Game #3. He got the start in Game #5 at the Polo Grounds and lost the final game of the Series to Lefty Gomez. He gave up four runs on six hits, struck out five and walked three, allowing HRs to Joe DiMaggio & Meril Hoag. Overall he was 0-2 in the Series with a 4.91 ERA.