Mel Wright
Encyclopedia
Melvin James Wright, Jr. (May 11, 1928 — May 16, 1983) was an American
Major League Baseball
pitcher
, pitching coach
and scout. A native of Manila, Arkansas
, who attended Ouachita Baptist University
, Wright threw and batted right-handed and stood 6'3" (190.5 cm) tall and weighed 210 pounds (95 kg).
Wright was a longtime associate of former MLB centerfielder and manager
Bill Virdon
. Originally signed by the New York Yankees
in 1950, Wright was traded with Virdon to the St. Louis Cardinals
on April 11, 1954, in a multiplayer transaction that sent eventual Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder
Enos Slaughter
to the Yanks. But while Virdon enjoyed a decade-plus-long major league playing tenure, Wright spent most of his pitching career at the AAA minor league level
. In 543 minor league games, he won 85 games, losing 61 with an earned run average
of 3.01.
He did appear in 58 games with the Cardinals (1954-55
) and Chicago Cubs
(1960
-61
), winning two of six decisions, surrendering 119 hits
in 84 innings pitched, and compiling a poor earned run average of 7.61.
He began his coaching career in 1962 with the Salt Lake City Bees of the AAA Pacific Coast League
, then was a member of the Cubs' experimental College of Coaches
in 1963-64 before becoming a Chicago scout, minor league pitching instructor, then major league pitching coach for one season (1971) on the staff of Leo Durocher
. In 1973, Virdon, then in his second and final season as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates
, named Wright as his major league pitching coach. Virdon then appointed Wright to similar posts with the Yankees (1974-75), Houston Astros
(1976-82) and Montreal Expos
(1983).
However, Wright was suffering from cancer
when Virdon asked him to join the Montreal coaching staff. He was hospitalized one week into the 1983
season and died of heart failure
on May 16, in Houston, Texas
, at age 55.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, pitching coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
and scout. A native of Manila, Arkansas
Manila, Arkansas
Manila is a city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,055 at the 2000 census. It was the hometown of World War I sniper Herman Davis...
, who attended Ouachita Baptist University
Ouachita Baptist University
Ouachita Baptist University is a private, liberal arts, undergraduate institution located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, which is about 65 miles southwest of Little Rock. The university's name is taken from the Ouachita River, which forms the eastern campus boundary. It is affiliated with the Arkansas...
, Wright threw and batted right-handed and stood 6'3" (190.5 cm) tall and weighed 210 pounds (95 kg).
Wright was a longtime associate of former MLB centerfielder and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Bill Virdon
Bill Virdon
William Charles Virdon is a former outfielder, manager and coach in Major League Baseball. A premier defensive outfielder during his playing days as a center fielder for the St...
. Originally signed by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in 1950, Wright was traded with Virdon to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
on April 11, 1954, in a multiplayer transaction that sent eventual Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Enos Slaughter
Enos Slaughter
Enos Bradsher Slaughter , nicknamed "Country", was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 19-year baseball career, he played from 1938–1942 and 1946-1959 for four different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the St...
to the Yanks. But while Virdon enjoyed a decade-plus-long major league playing tenure, Wright spent most of his pitching career at the AAA minor league level
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
. In 543 minor league games, he won 85 games, losing 61 with an earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 3.01.
He did appear in 58 games with the Cardinals (1954-55
1955 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Brooklyn Dodgers over New York Yankees ; Johnny Podres, MVP*All-Star Game, July 12 at County Stadium: National League, 6-5 -Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Cangrejeros de Santurce...
) and Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(1960
1960 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees ; Bobby Richardson, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5-3*All-Star Game , July 13 at Yankee Stadium: National League, 6-0...
-61
1961 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds ; Whitey Ford, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Candlestick Park: National League, 5-4 *All-Star Game , July 31 at Fenway Park: 1–1 tie...
), winning two of six decisions, surrendering 119 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 84 innings pitched, and compiling a poor earned run average of 7.61.
He began his coaching career in 1962 with the Salt Lake City Bees of the AAA Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
, then was a member of the Cubs' experimental College of Coaches
College of Coaches
The College of Coaches was an unorthodox strategy employed by the Chicago Cubs in 1961 and 1962. After the Cubs finished 60-94 in 1960, their 14th straight second-division finish, Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley announced in December 1960 that the Cubs would no longer have a manager, but would be led by...
in 1963-64 before becoming a Chicago scout, minor league pitching instructor, then major league pitching coach for one season (1971) on the staff of Leo Durocher
Leo Durocher
Leo Ernest Durocher , nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Upon his retirement, he ranked fifth all-time among managers with 2,009 career victories, second only to John McGraw in National League history. Durocher still ranks tenth in career wins by...
. In 1973, Virdon, then in his second and final season as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, named Wright as his major league pitching coach. Virdon then appointed Wright to similar posts with the Yankees (1974-75), Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
(1976-82) and Montreal Expos
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
(1983).
However, Wright was suffering from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
when Virdon asked him to join the Montreal coaching staff. He was hospitalized one week into the 1983
1983 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Baltimore Orioles over Philadelphia Phillies ; Rick Dempsey, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Mike Boddicker*National League Championship Series MVP: Gary Matthews...
season and died of heart failure
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
on May 16, in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, at age 55.