Davey Nelson, analyst for Brewers television crew and team alumni director, dies at 73

Davey Nelson, who held a variety of roles since 2001 with the Milwaukee Brewers, including analyst for the television broadcast crew, died Monday at 73 after a battle with liver cancer.

The former all-star infielder joined the Brewers in 2001 as roving minor-league outfield instructor and served as their first base coach from 2003-’06. In 2006, he moved into a broadcasting role as analyst for Fox Sports Wisconsin and also served in the team’s front office as director of alumni relations.

“Davey took every opportunity to turn a casual introduction into a lifelong relationship, and his legacy will live on in the positive impact he had on the lives of so many people,” Brewers chief operating officer Rick Schlesinger said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all of those who loved him.”

As a sign of how beloved Nelson was within the organization and to those who knew him, tributes immediately poured in on Twitter.

Born in Fort Sill, Okla., Nelson graduated from Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, Calif., and attended Compton Junior College for one year and Los Angeles State College for two years. He also served in the Army Reserve for six years.

Nelson signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1964 and went on to a 10-year career in the majors with the Indians, Washington Senators, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.

A constant threat on the bases, he stole 51 bases in 1972 for the Rangers, ranking second in the league, and 43 in ’73, when he made the American League all-star team. That year, he batted .286 with seven homers and 48 RBI in 142 games.

Nelson began his major-league coaching career in 1981 with the Chicago White Sox as first base coach and base-running instructor. He went on to coach for Oakland, Montreal and Cleveland, and in 1980 was on the coaching staff at TCU.

Beyond his contributions with the TV broadcast crew, Nelson was a perfect front-office fit for the Brewers because of his easy-going, affable nature that always left friends and acquaintances smiling. He was a loyal member of the organization and served a vital role by maintaining a database of former Brewers players and organizing alumni events.

But Nelson also had a profound effect off the field as founder and member of the board of directors for Open Arms Home for Children in South Africa, an organization that gave housing to children either orphaned or from unstable family situations. His annual golf tournament raised significant funds for that organization.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Open Arms Home for Children can be made in Nelson’s memory at openarmshome.com. There will not be a formal memorial service but a private celebration of Nelson’s life will be held later this spring.

Bob Solis, co-founder of Open Arms and a friend of Nelson's for more than 25 years, sent a statement that included the following:

"People like Davey Nelson make the world a better place. For the orphaned children that came to love him on a hilltop in South Africa, there was no doubt about the compassion and he brought to improve their lives. Davey always said that 'Open Arms changed his life" but honestly it was his life that changed so many others. Today, our children and staff held a prayer service for Uncle Davey, confident that they now have a Guardian Angel in their corner."

Solis said the Davey Nelson Charity Golf Tournament raised more than $250,000 for Open Arms over the past 10 years.