Sabath Anthony "Sam" Mele played almost half of his career with the Boston Red Sox—after being drafted by the team in 1946. During his five years in
Carmine Hose, he hit .278 in 263 total games. He was once unfairly touted as the "right-handed
Ted Williams". He was traded to the Washington Senators and, in 1951,
led the American League in doubles (36). He returned to the Red Sox in 1954 before finishing his career with the Indians. He may be best known for
managing the Minnesota Twins to their first-ever American League pennant in 1965. Although they lost the World Series to the Dodgers, that Twinkie team won 102 games—still a franchise record. Mele was named
Sporting News Manager Of The Year. Mele was also renowned as a Red Sox scout for over 30 years—starting in 1968.
