Mel Queen – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Mel Queen wrapped up his baseball career in 1972 after nine seasons in Major League Baseball. That marked the end of one of the sport’s most unusual career transformations.

Queen stands out as one of the few players in MLB history who managed to switch from outfielder to pitcher at the major league level. That rare feat pretty much defined his legacy.

He played for the Cincinnati Reds and California Angels from 1964 to 1972. Over those years, Queen racked up a 20-17 record as a pitcher and also contributed as an outfielder early on.

Born Melvin Douglas Queen on March 26, 1942, he followed his father, Melvin Joseph Queen, into professional baseball. The younger Queen’s journey from a $100,000 bonus baby signed by the Reds to a converted pitcher really shows the kind of adaptability you need to stick around in pro baseball.

He had some memorable moments, like hitting a home run off Hall of Famer Bob Gibson. Later, he pitched in winter leagues in Nicaragua and Venezuela, finding success there too.

After he hung up his cleats in 1972, Queen stayed involved in baseball. He coached, managed, and worked in front offices, never really stepping away from the game.

His shift from outfielder to pitcher, plus all his later contributions, gives a glimpse into the kind of dedication and versatility that defined baseball careers back in the ’60s and early ’70s.

Mel Queen’s Career Highlights and Retirement in 1972

Mel Queen’s last year in Major League Baseball closed out a unique nine-season run. He transitioned from outfielder to pitcher, something you just don’t see often.

His 1972 season with the California Angels ended with his last appearance on July 21. That day, he pitched 2.2 innings against the New York Yankees.

Final Season with the California Angels

Queen’s 1972 season with the Angels marked his final chapter in pro baseball. The 30-year-old pitcher saw limited action that year, and it turned out to be his farewell.

His last game came on July 21, 1972, facing the Yankees. He went 2.2 innings, gave up 2 hits and 1 earned run, struck out 1, and walked 1.

The Angels mostly used Queen as a reliever during his time there. That role was a big change from his days in the Reds’ outfield.

By 1972, Queen had become a reliable bullpen option. Still, his appearances grew more sporadic as the season went on.

Notable Games and Performances in 1972

Queen’s 1972 season had a few highlights, even though he didn’t play much. He showed he still had it, especially in a game against Houston.

In one game against the Astros, Queen got 1 at-bat but didn’t notch a hit, home run, RBI, or stolen base. That ability to both pitch and occasionally bat stayed a unique part of his game.

His strikeout stuff never really left him. Queen kept using that slider and curveball combo that had worked since he switched from outfielder to pitcher in 1966.

You could see his experience in his command and control during his final season outings. All those years developing as a pitcher turned him from a raw converted outfielder into a pretty skilled relief guy.

Decision to Retire from Major League Baseball

Queen decided to retire from Major League Baseball at age 30 after the 1972 season. That wrapped up a career that stretched from 1964 to 1972.

The way his career started as an outfielder and ended as a pitcher made his retirement stand out. Not many players have pulled off such a dramatic position switch at the major league level.

His final stats show a guy who squeezed everything he could out of his talent by adapting and persevering. Queen’s willingness to reinvent himself as a pitcher kept him in the big leagues longer than he probably would’ve lasted as just an outfielder.

After he stopped playing, Queen moved into coaching and front office gigs. His broad experience on the field made him valuable in player development roles all over pro baseball.

Biography and Early Life

Melvin Douglas Queen was born March 26, 1942, in Johnson City, New York. He grew up in a family that lived and breathed professional baseball.

His journey from a multi-sport high school athlete to a major league prospect was shaped by his dad’s influence and his own athleticism at San Luis Obispo High School.

Family Background and Influences

Mel Queen’s family played a huge part in his athletic development. His father, Melvin Joseph Queen, pitched professionally for teams in the Yankees and Pirates organizations from 1938 through 1955.

The Queen family moved to California in the early ’50s when his dad joined the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League. They first settled in Lakewood, then moved to San Luis Obispo, where Mel finished high school.

Even with his baseball background, Mel’s dad didn’t push him. The senior Queen told him, “If you want to play major league baseball you will have to make it on your own.”

As a kid, Mel tagged along with his dad to ballparks. He’d shag flies in the outfield and spend plenty of time at Forbes Field. Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh later remembered playing catch and pepper with young Mel during those visits.

San Luis Obispo High School Achievements

At San Luis Obispo High, Mel Queen was a standout three-sport athlete. As a sophomore, he played quarterback and halfback for the football team, and his leaping ability made him a valuable center on the basketball squad.

But Mel made a choice: he ditched football and basketball after his sophomore year to focus just on baseball.

He put up some pretty impressive numbers in high school. During his senior year, he batted .425 and took home the team’s MVP award.

His defense was just as sharp. He earned All-League and All-California Interscholastic Federation honors as a shortstop—twice.

That mix of offense and defense made him one of the top high school prospects in California.

Path to Signing with the Cincinnati Reds

After graduating high school in June 1960, Mel Queen became a hot commodity. Nearly every major league team wanted him.

Standing six-foot-one and weighing 190 pounds, Queen had the physical tools scouts loved. He threw right-handed and batted left-handed, which added to his appeal.

The Cincinnati Reds ended up signing him. On June 19, 1960, Bobby Mattick, a former infielder and future Blue Jays manager, brought Queen on board.

The signing bonus was reportedly $100,000—plus a $5,000 Corvette thrown in for good measure.

The Reds originally wanted him as an infielder, but during Instructional League play, Queen’s natural outfield skills caught coaches’ attention. Even without much outfield experience, he impressed them and set himself up for a pro career.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Mel Queen spent nine seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1964 to 1972. He pulled off the rare trick of switching from outfielder to pitcher.

He spent most of his career with the Cincinnati Reds before wrapping up with the California Angels. In total, he posted 20 wins and 17 losses in 269 games.

Transition from Outfielder to Pitcher

Queen started out in the majors as an outfielder, but he saw the writing on the wall. The Reds’ outfield already had stars like Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson, and Tommy Harper.

In 1964, Queen went to Reds coach Jim Turner, a former all-star pitcher, and asked for daily pitching lessons. He wanted to follow in the footsteps of Bucky Walters and Bob Lemon, guys who also switched from position player to pitcher.

Queen’s natural throwing ability made the switch possible. He could fire fastballs at 95-97 MPH with a ton of movement. As he told Dick Peebles of the Houston Chronicle, “My fast ball would really move and the guys would talk about it. I can make it take off or sink depending on how I hold it.”

The transition picked up speed during batting practice. When outfielder Deron Johnson complained about soft tosses, Queen stepped in and threw hard. That got management thinking he might have real pitching potential.

On July 15, 1966, Queen made his first big league pitching appearance against the St. Louis Cardinals. He retired the side in order, striking out the last two hitters. Cardinals second baseman Dal Maxvill said, “The guy has a quick slider and he struck me out with a heckuva curve.”

Time with the Cincinnati Reds

Queen played for the Cincinnati Reds from 1964 to 1968, both as an outfielder and pitcher. He debuted on April 13, 1964, as a pinch-hitter against Houston’s Ken Johnson.

His first MLB hit came off Juan Marichal and the Giants. Queen later told the funny story about hitting himself in the head with his own bat while trying to adjust to Marichal’s screwball, making Pete Rose crack up.

His biggest offensive moment was on August 1, 1964, when he pinch-hit a three-run homer off Hall of Famer Bob Gibson. That shot provided the winning runs in a 6-5 win over St. Louis. It was only his second and last career home run.

As a pitcher with Cincinnati, Queen showed promise right away. Five days after his debut on the mound, he earned his first big league save by striking out the side in the ninth to protect a one-run lead over the Cubs.

He improved his pitching chops in winter ball in Venezuela, where he dominated with a 7-2 record, five shutouts, and a 0.76 ERA. That performance convinced people he was a legit pitching prospect.

Transfer to the California Angels

The California Angels picked up Queen in 1969. He spent his final four seasons with them, through 1972. This was when he worked mostly as a full-time pitcher in Major League Baseball.

With the Angels, Queen got more consistent chances to work on his pitching. He no longer had to juggle outfield and pitching duties, so he could just focus on the mound.

His last MLB appearance came on July 21, 1972, against the Yankees. He pitched 2.2 innings, gave up two hits, one earned run, struck out one, and walked one.

Those years with the Angels showed Queen’s adaptability and drive to keep his career going by changing positions. His overall MLB pitching stats might look modest, but switching from outfielder to pitcher at that level is no small thing.

Queen’s time in California wrapped up a unique journey, ending his nine-season MLB career at age 30.

Pitching Statistics and Advanced Metrics

Mel Queen’s nine seasons in the majors showed solid pitching with a 4.18 ERA and a knack for strikeouts. His 1972 season really highlighted both his strengths and struggles, especially when you look at his home and road numbers.

Win–Loss Record and ERA Breakdown

Queen put together a modest win-loss record, reflecting his time as both a starter and reliever. His ERA bounced around from year to year, but his best seasons came in the mid-’60s.

In his last year, 1972, Queen’s numbers at home and on the road were pretty different. At home, he posted a 3.48 ERA over 10.1 innings in 7 games. That showed he felt comfortable pitching in familiar surroundings.

On the road, things got tougher. His ERA jumped to 4.90 over 20.2 innings in 10 games. Those road struggles definitely made his season more challenging.

The big gap between home and road results in 1972 says a lot about how tough it can be to pitch away from home. Queen allowed 8 hits at home, but 23 on the road.

Strikeouts, WHIP, and Other Key Stats

Queen’s strikeout numbers stayed pretty modest through his career, which was just about normal for pitchers in his era.

His ability to limit walks changed a lot depending on where he pitched in 1972.

At home during his last season, Queen walked 5 batters in 10.1 innings. None of those were intentional, so he showed decent command when pitching in familiar territory.

On the road, though, things looked different. Queen walked 14 batters in 20.2 innings, including one intentional walk. That uptick in walks really hurt his road ERA.

WHIP calculations from 1972 show the control problems Queen faced in his final season. He allowed a lot more baserunners per inning on the road compared to at home.

Queen hit 2 batters at home but just 1 on the road. He didn’t throw any wild pitches or commit any balks during the 1972 season.

Comparing WAR Over the Seasons

WAR statistics give some context for Queen’s overall value to his teams. His contributions changed a lot from year to year, which kind of sums up his inconsistent performance.

Queen probably had his best WAR seasons early on, when he played more regularly. Since he worked as both a pitcher and an outfielder, that made his WAR numbers a bit tricky to figure out.

In 1972, his WAR was probably negative or close to zero. A 4.18 ERA over 31 innings wasn’t great for that era.

Advanced stats show that Queen served more as a utility guy than a star. His WAR numbers point to steady but not spectacular contributions throughout his nine-year career.

His career WAR totals show that teams valued him as a depth player who could step into different roles when needed.

Legacy, Coaching, and Later Life

After stepping away from playing in 1972, Mel Queen moved right into coaching and front office jobs. He spent over twenty years helping shape new baseball talent. Having played as both a pitcher and an outfielder, he brought a rare perspective as a mentor and instructor in Major League Baseball organizations.

Contributions to Baseball After Playing

Queen started his post-playing career in the late 1970s with the Cleveland Indians as a minor league pitching coach. Since he had switched from outfielder to pitcher in his own career, he understood both the physical and mental sides of pitching in a way a lot of coaches just didn’t.

Later, Queen joined the Toronto Blue Jays as a pitching coach, holding the job for four seasons. In Toronto, he worked with developing pitchers and helped set up pitching systems for the organization.

In 2008, Queen returned to the Blue Jays as a senior adviser for player development. That gave him a chance to guide young prospects throughout the team’s minor league system. Since he knew both pitching and position playing, he was especially effective in that role.

Coaching and Managerial Roles in MLB

Queen’s coaching career included several jobs with Major League Baseball organizations. He managed teams in the minors as a manager and built up his leadership skills beyond just teaching pitching.

His most visible coaching job was with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he spent four seasons as their major league pitching coach. He worked directly with MLB pitchers and played a big part in shaping the team’s pitching approach.

Queen also worked as a scout for different organizations. He used his experience as a player to evaluate talent at all levels. Since he understood both pitching and position players, he was a pretty valuable resource for front offices.

Influence on Future Generations

Queen’s impact on baseball reached beyond just his coaching jobs. He worked with youth baseball programs after retiring from pro baseball in 1997, coming back to his hometown of Johnson City, New York to coach local youth teams.

He mentored young players and cared about passing on baseball knowledge. Queen focused on teaching fundamentals and proper mechanics, drawing on his own unusual path from outfielder to pitcher.

Queen stayed involved in player development well into the 2000s. He just never really walked away from baseball instruction and mentorship. When he died in 2011 at age 69, it ended almost five decades of giving back to the game.

Personal Life, Passing, and Remembrance

Mel Queen kept strong family ties throughout his life and eventually settled in California after his playing days. He passed away at age 69 in 2011 after a fight with cancer, leaving a real mark on the baseball world.

Personal Interests and Family

Mel Queen’s family had deep baseball roots. His father, Melvin Joseph Queen, pitched for the Yankees and Pirates organizations from 1938 to 1955. That connection meant young Mel grew up around the game, hanging out at places like Forbes Field and Gilmore Field.

Queen also married into a baseball family. His wife’s brother, Jim Lonborg, pitched in the majors from 1965 to 1979 for the Red Sox, Brewers, and Phillies. The two men actually played high school ball together at San Luis Obispo High before going pro.

Even after his playing career, Queen stayed active in baseball as a coach and executive. He kept a close relationship with former student Pat Hentgen, a pitcher he had coached. Queen once called his winter league baseball experiences “wonderful,” which says a lot about his love for the game even after retirement.

Passing and Funeral

Mel Queen died on May 11, 2011, at age 69 in Morro Bay, California. He had been battling cancer and passed away from complications related to the disease.

At the time, Queen served as a senior adviser for player development with the Toronto Blue Jays, a job he’d started in 2008.

Queen lived in Morro Bay for many years. ESPN and other sports outlets noted his passing, highlighting his impact as a player, coach, manager, and executive.

People who worked with him during his four seasons as a pitching coach and his time with the Blue Jays especially felt his loss.

Cemetery and Memorial Information

Records show that Mel Queen was cremated after his death, not buried in a traditional cemetery. So there isn’t a specific grave or cemetery where fans or family can visit.

Choosing cremation was a personal decision, and it’s not uncommon these days. Even without a physical memorial, Queen’s legacy lives on through the players he taught and mentored.

The Toronto Blue Jays and the many pitchers he helped develop still remember what he contributed to baseball.

References and Research Sources

You can find detailed records of Melvin Douglas Queen’s career in established baseball databases and archives. Baseball Reference has deep career stats, and Retrosheet keeps extensive game logs and historical data from his playing years.

Baseball Reference Profile

Baseball Reference is the main place to find stats for Queen’s nine-season MLB career from 1964 to 1972. The site tracks his unusual switch from outfielder to pitcher with the Reds and Angels.

His profile lists complete batting and pitching stats, like his .218 career batting average and his pitching record across 134 games. The site also points out he passed rookie status in 1964.

You’ll find key biographical info there, too. That includes his birth date—March 26, 1942, in Johnson City, New York. The site also notes his family ties, showing he was the son of former MLB pitcher Mel Queen and brother-in-law of Jim Lonborg.

Retrosheet Data and Archives

Retrosheet digs deep into Queen’s career, offering detailed game-by-game records in its database. They keep complete box scores and play-by-play data from when he played in the 1960s and early 1970s.

You’ll find his last MLB appearance, from July 21, 1972, against the New York Yankees, described in detail. He pitched 2.2 innings that day, gave up 2 hits and 1 earned run, and managed to strike out a batter.

Their database highlights how he played as both a position player and a pitcher. In his early games, he showed up as an outfielder and pinch-hitter.

After his mid-career switch in 1966, the records start tracking his pitching appearances.