King's journey to the major leagues was not straightforward. He initially signed with the Boston Braves in 1946 but was released after a year. He then spent several years in the minor leagues before being signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1954.
During his time with the Pirates, King was a reliable and effective pitcher. He made his MLB debut on April 15, 1954, and quickly established himself as a valuable member of the team. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 115 games, 31 of which he started. He recorded a career win-loss record of 14-21, with a commendable earned run average (ERA) of 3.16.
King's best season was arguably in 1956 when he posted a career-high 7 wins and a 3.48 ERA. He was also a competent batter, hitting .173 with 1 home run and 10 runs batted in.
However, King's playing career was cut short due to arm injuries. His last appearance in the major leagues was on September 16, 1957. Despite the premature end to his playing career, King remained involved in baseball. He transitioned into broadcasting and served as a radio announcer for the Pirates from 1967 to 1975.
In addition to his broadcasting career, King also served as the golf coach at Duquesne University for 30 years. He was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 for his contributions to baseball and golf.
Nellie King passed away on August 11, 2010, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and passion for the sport of baseball. Despite his relatively short playing career, his impact on the game, both on and off the field, was significant. His journey from the minor leagues to the majors, his successful transition to broadcasting, and his commitment to coaching are testament to his love for the sport.
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Sep 22, 1975Sep 22, 1975
The game took place on Monday, September 22, 1975, between the Pittsburgh Pirates...
Philadelphia Phillies vs Pittsburgh Pirates - Clincher - Radio Broadcast / The game took place on Monday, September 22, 1975, between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies at Three Rivers Stadium. The Pirates, who were having a solid season, were looking to solidify their standing in the National League East, while the Phillies were trying to keep their playoff hopes alive. The starting pitchers for the game were Bruce Kison for the Pirates and Tom Underwood for the Phillies. Kison was in the midst of a solid season, looking to build on his 11-11 record, while Underwood, with a 14-12 record, was hoping to provide the Phillies with a much-needed boost. The 1975 season overall had been marked by the dominance of the Cincinnati Reds, also known as the "Big Red Machine", who were in the midst of one of the greatest seasons in baseball history.
The game started off with both teams unable to score in the first inning. The Pirates got on the scoreboard first in the second inning and added three more runs in the fourth inning. The Phillies, on the other hand, were held scoreless until the fifth inning when they managed to score a single run. The Pirates' offense was led by Willie Stargell and Dave Parker, who combined for five hits and six runs batted in. Stargell, in particular, had a big day at the plate, reaching base five times and scoring four runs. The Phillies' offense was largely stifled by Kison and reliever Kent Tekulve, who combined to allow just three runs.
The Phillies made an attempt to come back in the seventh inning, scoring two runs to cut the Pirates' lead to 5-3. However, the Pirates responded with a massive five-run eighth inning, highlighted by a two-run home run by Parker, his 25th of the season, to extend their lead to 11-3. The Phillies were unable to mount a comeback in the ninth inning, and the Pirates secured a comfortable victory.
The Pirates' victory on September 22, 1975, was a key moment in their successful season. They would go on to finish second in the National League East, just 6.5 games behind the division-winning Philadelphia Phillies. Despite their loss in this game, the Phillies would rally to win the division and make the playoffs, but they were defeated by the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Championship Series. The Reds would go on to win the World Series, cementing their status as one of the greatest teams in baseball history. The 1975 season also saw a number of individual accolades, with Joe Morgan of the Reds winning the National League Most Valuable Player award, and Tom Seaver of the New York Mets winning the Cy Young Award.