Born – 8th February 1942 Died – 25th October 1987
Bobby Meloncelli was part of a family that had baseball running trough its blood. Four generations of Meloncelli’s have played with distinction for the Victoria Park Baseball Club since the Club’s inception in 1936. Bobby is, without a doubt, one of their greatest and most decorated players.
Bobby made his A Grade (State League) debut in 1956 at the age of 14. He won his first Presidents Medal at the age of 16 and his second at the age of 18!
In 1964/65, Meloncelli led his team to a Premiership (against the highly fancied West Perth) throwing a complete game shutout resulting in a 4-0 victory. Bobby was a right-handed pitcher and a left-hand batter and was a dominating player with both bat and ball.
In 1967/68 Meloncelli won the A Grade (State League) batting average with an amazing average of .571. This was by far the highest percentage since the award was first presented in 1952. It came as no surprise to anyone when he won his 3rd President’s Medal the same year.
Bobby played in 3 Claxton Shield Teams (1960, 61 & 62). He would have been an automatic selection in many more but was unavailable for section post 1962 due his work/career commitments.
Below are some of Meloncelli’s career highlights:
- 3 x Presidents Medal (1958, 1960, 1967/68)
- 5 x Fairest and Best Victoria Park (1958, 1960, 1967/68, 1974/75)
- Claxton Shield All-Star Team (All-Australian 1961)
- Premiership Player with Victoria Park
- Inducted into the Town of Victoria Park “Sporting Hall of Fame”