Nellie Fox
The toughest second baseman to strike out, and a Hall of Fame cornerstone of the 'Go Go' White Sox.
Jacob Nelson Fox (December 25, 1927 – December 1, 1975) was an American professional baseball player. Fox was one of the best second basemen of all time, and the third-most difficult hitter to strike out in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. Fox played in the big leagues from 1947 through 1965 and spent the majority of his career as a member of the Chicago White Sox; his career was bookended by multi-year stints for the Philadelphia Athletics and, later, the Houston Astros.
- Singles Leader
- Led AL in singles 7 times (1952, 1954–1958, 1960); consecutive streak of 5 seasons (1954–1958)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Fox was born on Christmas Day 1927 in St. Thomas Township, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of three sons born to a carpenter. At age 16 in 1944, his mother wrote a letter to Connie Mack, enabling him to attend an open tryout for the Philadelphia Athletics, where Mack signed him. Fox started his professional career with the Lancaster team of the Pennsylvania Interstate League and the Jamestown Falcons. He was traded from the Athletics to the Chicago White Sox on October 19, 1949, for Joe Tipton. Fox spent 14 seasons with the Sox, making 12 AL All-Star teams. In 1959, he won the AL Most Valuable Player award, batting .306 and leading the AL in singles, as the White Sox won their first AL pennant in 40 years. In the World Series, Fox batted .375 but the Sox lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games. Fox played his final two seasons (1964–65) with the Houston Colt .45s and Astros. He coached for the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers after his playing career. Fox was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.
In Their Own Story
In 1951, Fox displayed his unique balance of aggression and discipline by hitting more triples (12) than he had strikeouts (11). This skill led him to top the league in most at-bats per strikeout a phenomenal 13 times. On defense, he formed a historic middle infield with shortstop Luis Aparicio. Between August 1956 and September 1960, Fox played a major-league record 798 consecutive games at second base. The duo became the first pair of shortstop-second basemen to win Gold Gloves in the same season, doing so in both 1959 and 1960. Despite his small stature of 5-foot-9, he led the league in singles eight times and fielding average six times.
Reader's Guide
Fox was one of the best second basemen in the major leagues. He played next to shortstops Chico Carrasquel and Luis Aparicio. He was the first major league Gold Glove Award winner for a second baseman in 1957, and received two more Gold Glove awards in 1959 and 1960. Between August 1956 and September 1960, Fox played a major-league record 798 consecutive games at second base. He led the league's second basemen in defensive games played each season between 1952 and 1959, and led in putouts between 1952 and 1961. Fox finished among the top five second basemen in fielding percentage every year between 1950 and 1964, and ranks second in career double plays as a second baseman.
Did You Know?
- Fox was the third-most difficult hitter to strike out in MLB history, fanning just 216 times in his career.
- In 1951, Fox hit more triples (12) than he had strikeouts (11).
- Fox's uniform number 2 was retired by the White Sox on May 1, 1976.
- Fox co-owned and managed Nellie Fox Bowl in Chambersburg after retiring from baseball.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Nellie Fox?
Jacob Nelson Fox played Major League Baseball from 1947 until 1965 and is celebrated as a legendary second baseman. He spent the majority of his career with the Chicago White Sox, becoming an icon for the franchise.
What were his major awards and honors?
During his time in the league, he was selected to twelve All-Star games and captured the Most Valuable Player title in 1959. His defensive skills were also honored with three Gold Glove awards during a three-year span.
What was Nellie Fox known for on the field?
Fox specialized in making contact rather than power hitting, which made him incredibly difficult for pitchers to strike out. He served as a key defensive anchor for the popular "Go Go" White Sox squads of the 1950s and early 1960s.
When was he inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997, his election was handled by the Veterans Committee rather than the Baseball Writers Association. This honor recognized his lasting impact on the sport long after he passed away in 1975.
Did he play for teams other than Chicago?
While famous for wearing White Sox pinstripes, he began his journey with the Philadelphia Athletics and concluded it with Houston. He was acquired by Chicago late in 1949 and remained their primary second baseman until his trade to Houston.
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