BLUE JAYS MOURN THE PASSING OF MEL QUEEN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE courtesy of the Toronto Blue Jays

TORONTO, ONTARIO

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2011

 The TORONTO BLUE JAYS are saddened to announce the passing of Player Development Senior Advisor MEL QUEEN (1942-2011).

            “Our organization would not be what it is today without the contributions of Mel Queen.  In Toronto he was both the Major League Pitching Coach and Manager but his real strength was in the minor leagues.  He joined us in 1986 and whether he was serving as the Farm Director, minor league pitching coordinator or in a number of other roles, Mel was instrumental to our system being one of the most respected in the game.   He was not only a great coach and passionate instructor; he was a great friend to me and everyone in the organization and he earned the utmost respect from the young men who had the pleasure of working with him. We were fortunate to have Mel rejoin the organization in 2008 to assist with the rebuild. Our sincere sympathies go out to his wife and family.”

                                                         — Paul Beeston, President and CEO, Toronto Blue Jays

            Mel Queen followed in his father’s footsteps playing nine seasons in the Major Leagues. He appeared for the Cincinnati Reds (1964-1969) and the California Angels (1970-72).  He is in select company in Major League Baseball having started his career in the outfield with the Reds in 1964 before becoming a pitcher in 1966 where he would post a 20-17 record in 140 games with 33 starts and an ERA of 3.14.  Following his playing career he began coaching with the Indians in 1979 before joining the Blue Jays in 1986 as a pitching instructor.  He was named Director of Player Development in 1990 and then named to the Major League staff as pitching coach in 1996.  In his four seasons in Toronto, three Cy Young awards were captured by Blue Jays pitchers (Pat Hentgen – 1996, Roger Clemens 1997 & 1998).  Queen then moved over to pro scouting for three seasons.  After leaving the organization, Queen returned in 2008 as a Senior Advisor to the Player Development Department.  He was instrumental in the development of many young players including Chris Carpenter, Alex Gonzalez, Shawn Green, Roy Halladay, Pat Hentgen, Jeff Kent, Shannon Stewart, Todd Stottlemyre, Mike Timlin, David Wells and Woody Williams.