Born and raised in the great state of Maryland, Jeff Nelson lived there until embarking on his professional playing career in baseball. The hurler prepped at Catonsville High School, ten miles from the Baltimore hospital where he was born. Nelson then enrolled at the Community College of Baltimore County’s Catonsville campus.
After one collegiate season, Nelson was drafted by the Dodgers in the 22nd round of the 1984 draft. His professional debut came in 1984. Eight years later he became a big leaguer with the Seattle Mariners.
During his 15 years in the majors, Nelson established himself as one of the premier setup men in the game. A four-time World World Series champion, Nelson was at his best when it mattered most. With runners in scoring position and two out he held batters to a .191 batting average.
In 2017 Nelson was inducted into the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame. That organization boasts 10 Cooperstown men among its membership. Though Nelson will never receive a Hall of Fame plaque, he goes down as one of the game’s great setup men.
Shown here is a letter from Sam Sibler, the chairman of the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame. In the October 26, 1962 correspondence Sibler informs 16-year MLB vet Bill Nicholson of his selection for the state’s honor.
Nicholson was a four-time National League All Star. Twice he led the Senior Circuit in home runs and RBI. With three 6.0 WAR campaigns, Nicholson’s career WAR stands at 41.9. He earned votes in MVP balloting five seasons, and finished in the top three for the award in 1943 and 1944.
Nicholson’s career 132 OPS+ is equal to Cooperstown’s Tony Gwynn, Rafael Palmeiro, and one point higher than Rod Carew, and Wade Boggs. He left the game with 1,484 career hits, 235 dingers, and 948 RBI.