Former major leaguer Mel Roach recently passed away, per an obituary from a funeral home in Virginia. He was 90 years old.
Roach was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1933. He played baseball at the University of Virginia before signing with the Milwaukee Braves in 1953. He got a brief start to his big league career by getting into three games that year and five more the next. Military service prevented him from appearing in either the 1955 or 1956 seasons, but he was able to resume his baseball trajectory in 1957.
He spent most of that year in the minors but was called up and appeared in seven games for Milwaukee. The club won the National League pennant and faced the Yankees in the World Series. Roach didn’t appear in any games in the series but Milwaukee was victorious, defeating the Yanks in seven games.
He was able to carve out a part-time utility role in the majors after that. In 1958, he hit .309 in 44 games, playing first and second base as well as the outfield corners. Unfortunately, a hard slide from Daryl Spencer injured Roach’s left knee on August 3. He required surgery that kept him out of action for the rest of that season and part of the following year as well.
He would continue in that part-time utility role through the 1962 season, eventually spending some time with the Cubs and the Phillies. He finished his career with 227 major league games played, notching 119 hits, including 25 doubles and seven home runs. He scored 42 runs, drove in 43 and retired with a .238 batting average.
After his baseball career was over, Roach got a job with the Bank of Virginia Trust division and stayed with that company for 25 years. He is survived by his wife, two children and five grandchildren, among other family members. We at MLB Trade Rumors extend our condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.
R.I.P
RIP Mel…..
He served our country, played with Hank Aaron in 54, and w0n a world series ring, not too shabby. RIP
What a great life. RIP.
There is no film of his play in existence.
Such a waste to not have a Roach clip.
Took one last drag , then disappeared into a cloud of smoke …
Chong smokes a roach youtu.be/9kzaPK8R4Pw
RIP
Because Roach signed with Milwaukee for a $40,000 bonus in 1953., the “bonus baby” rules of the day required the Braves to carry him on the ML roster for 2 yrs. before they could send him to the minors. During this period he had a grand total of 6 plate appearances.. The Braves had a second baby, Joey Jay, who made 2 starts in 2 years., Unbelievable rule.