Dave Nelson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dave Nelson |
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Nelson in 1974
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| Second baseman / Third baseman | |||
| Born: June 20, 1944 Fort Sill, Oklahoma, U.S. |
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| Died: April 22, 2018 (aged 73) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 11, 1968, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 27, 1977, for the Kansas City Royals | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .244 | ||
| Home runs | 20 | ||
| Runs batted in | 211 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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David Earl Nelson (born June 20, 1944 – died April 22, 2018) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for ten seasons. Dave played for the Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators / Texas Rangers, and Kansas City Royals from 1968 to 1977.
After his playing days, he became a coach. He also worked as a sports announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers on Fox Sports Wisconsin. Dave helped many young players improve their skills. Some of these players include Kenny Lofton and Rickie Weeks.
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Early Life and Education
Dave Nelson was born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He went to Junipero Serra High School in California. After high school, he attended Compton Junior College and Los Angeles State College. Dave also served in the Army Reserve for six years.
Playing in the Big Leagues
Dave Nelson played his first MLB game on April 11, 1968, with the Cleveland Indians. He played for Cleveland for two seasons. Then, he was traded to the Washington Senators in 1969.
In 1971, Dave started playing more often. He became known for his speed and ability to steal bases. He stole 51 bases in 1972, which is a lot!
His best year was 1973. That year, he was chosen to play in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He had a batting average of .286, hit seven home runs, and had 48 RBIs. He stayed with the Rangers until 1975.
After that, Dave was traded to the Kansas City Royals. He played two seasons with the Royals. In 1976, he got to play in the postseason. This was during the 1976 American League Championship Series. Dave played his last major league game on September 27, 1977, and then retired.
After Playing Baseball
Coaching Baseball
In 1980, Dave became a coach for Texas Christian University's baseball team. The next year, he returned to MLB as a coach for the Chicago White Sox. He coached there until 1984.
Over the next two decades, Dave worked for several other teams. He was with the Oakland Athletics (1986–1987), Montreal Expos (1990–1991), Cleveland Indians (1992–1997), and Milwaukee Brewers (2001–2006). He helped many players learn how to run bases and play the outfield.
Being a Sports Announcer
Dave Nelson also had a career as a sports announcer. He was a pregame analyst for the Milwaukee Brewers on Fox Sports Wisconsin. He also worked for the Kansas City Royals in 1979. Later, he was on radio broadcasts for the Chicago Cubs (1988–1989) and the Cleveland Indians (1998–1999).
Helping Others
Dave was also involved in charity work. He was on the board of directors for Open Arms Home for Children. This group helps children in South Africa who have lost their parents.
His Passing
Dave Nelson passed away on April 22, 2018. He was 73 years old. He died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from liver cancer.
Awards and Recognition
On May 26, 2012, Dave Nelson was honored. He was inducted into the Compton Community College Athletics Hall of Fame for baseball.
Images for kids
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Nelson in 1974
