Nellie Fox starred at second base for 3 teams, but was best known for his contributions to the Chicago White Sox during the 1950s and early 1960s. A member of the "Go-Go Sox", Fox helped exemplify the team's penchant toward playing small ball- using speed and bunting to defeat opponents. Enjoying his finest season in 1959, Fox won the the American League MVP award that year, during which he batted .306 and had an on-base percentage of .380 while helping lead the White Sox to the best record in baseball- a 94-60 mark.
After retiring in 1965, Fox went on to become a Major League coach before tragically succumbing to skin cancer in 1975, at the age of 47. His Hall of Fame induction would come via the Veterans Committee in 1997, after barely missing induction in 1985 by being named on 74.7% of the ballots, just short of the required 75% needed for induction.
I completed this sketch card in October 2012.
I completed this sketch card in January 2013.
10 random facts about Nellie Fox:
- One of the toughest batters to strike out, Fox fanned only 216 times in his career- an average of once every 42.7 at-bats (ranking him 3rd all-time).
- He holds the record for most consecutive years leading the league in singles with seven (1954-60).
- In Fox's only postseason appearance - the 1959 World Series - he led the White Sox with a .375 batting average.
- Fox was a 3-time Gold Glove winner at second base.
- Fox was the first White Sox player to be named AL MVP.
- He set the record for most consecutive games played at second base with 798.
- Fox was a 12-time All-Star.
- Fox was well known for using a thick-handled bat for more control at the plate, giving him an edge in spraying hits to all areas of the field.
- Fox used the smallest fielder's gloves available throughout his career, during the era when gloves were increasing in size and complexity.
- His uniform number 2 was retired by the White Sox in 1976.
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