American baseball playerBaseball player

John W. "Candy" Nelson (March 14, 1849 – September 4, 1910) was a shortstop in Major League Baseball. He played 13 seasons between 1872 and 1890 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 *ociation with the Troy Haymakers in 1872.

In 1890, he was the oldest player in the American *ociation at age 41. A couple of years later, major publications described him as owning a milk route 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

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or:Baseball Reference (Minors)
• Candy Nelson at Find a Grave