TORONTO (AP) — Mel Queen, a former Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach and manager who rejoined the organization in 2008 at its player development senior adviser, has died. He was 69.
The cause of death was not divulged.
Queen was an outfielder who became a pitcher and played for both the Cincinnati Reds (1964-69) and California Angels (1970-72). He posted a 20-17 career record with 389 innings pitched, 306 strikeouts, and a career earned-run average of 3.14.
In his four seasons in Toronto, Blue Jays pitchers won three Cy Young Awards: Pat Hentgen in 1996 and Roger Clemens in ’97-’98. Queen served as the club’s interim manager for the final five games of 1997 after the firing of Cito Gaston.
