John W. "Candy" Nelson (March 14, 1849 – September 4, 1910) was a

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. He played 13 seasons between and for nine teams in three leagues.

Biography

A native of Maine, Nelson entered professional baseball in Brooklyn in 1867. He made his major league debut in the National Association with the Troy Haymakers in 1872. In 1890, he was the oldest player in the American Association at age 41. A couple of years later, major publications described him as owning a

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in Brooklyn. On the 1900 U.S. Census, Nelson listed "ball player" for his occupation. He died of heart problems at home in Brooklyn in 1910.

Sources

* Major League Baseball shortstops Brooklyn Eckfords (NABBP) players New York Mutuals (NABBP) players Troy Haymakers players Brooklyn Eckfords players New York Mutuals players Indianapolis Blues players Worcester Ruby Legs players New York Metropolitans players New York Giants (NL) players Brooklyn Gladiators players Troy Trojans players Sportspeople from Brooklyn Baseball players from New York City Sportspeople from Portland, Maine Baseball players from Maine 19th-century baseball players 1849 births 1910 deaths Pittsburgh Allegheny players Rochester (minor league baseball) players Washington Nationals (minor league) players Albany (minor league baseball) players Brooklyn Atlantics (minor league) players New York Metropolitans (minor league) players Albany Governors players Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players Wilmington Blue Hens players Burials at Cypress Hills Cemetery {{US-baseball-shortstop-stub