A fine defensive second baseman , in 1930 Melillo handled 971 chances without committing an error ( 17 fewer that Nap Lajoie 's 1908 major league record ) , and in 1933 he posted a .991 fielding average that stood for more than 10 years .
A fine defensive second baseman , in 1930 Melillo handled 971 chances without committing an error ( 17 fewer that Nap Lajoie 's 1908 major league record ) . 
 In 1933 , he hit .292 with a career - high 79 RBI and posted a .991 fielding average that stood for more than 10 years .