1946

Mel Deutsch was born on July 26, 1915, in Caldwell, Texas. He went through the Caldwell public schools for 12 years, and then attended the University of Texas at Austin for four years, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. Three years playing at Texas helped launch his pro career, as did three years of semipro ball.

The Sox had signed him out of college and Mel began with Greensboro in the Piedmont League after graduation in 1941. Advancing from Class B ball to Double A with Louisville in 1942, he was used primarily in relief. During the war years of 1943 and 1944, he reverted to starter status with the Colonels and was a second-team American Assocation All-Star in 1943. 

 In 1944, the Colonels won the playoffs, sweeping St. Paul in the finals and Mel led the league in ERA. Louisville won the playoffs again in 1945, once more beating St. Paul.

In 1946 he made the big-league team out of spring training. He appeared in three major-league games, all of which went into extras, and all of which were wins for the Red Sox. Then the Sox trimmed the roster, sending Mel back to Louisville. 

In 1947 he pitched just five innings for the Triple-A Toronto Maple Leafs, before the Red Sox dealt him to the Chicago Cubs. He didn’t play much in 1947 and was not active at all in 1948. In 1949 he played briefly for the Bryan Bombers in the Class C East Texas League.

With a family to feed, Mel retired from baseball and became a building contractor with his own company, Deutsch Construction.

Mel Deutsch died, at age 86, on November 18, 2001, in Austin, Texas.