Bitsy Mott

Who was Bitsy Mott?

Elisha Matthew Mott was a backup infielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Phillies. Listed at 5 ft 8 in, 155 lbs, he batted and threw right handed.

Born in Arcadia, Florida, Mott played mostly shortstop, with stints at second base and third base. He made his debut in 1939 with the Americus Pioneers, a Brooklyn Dodgers minor league affiliate team. After playing for several minors teams, he joined the 1945 Phillies at the age of 27.

Mott batted .221 in 90 games for the Phillies, including eight doubles and two stolen bases, scoring 21 runs while driving in 22 more. He then returned to the minors for the remainder of his active career, retiring in 1957.

He later became personal security manager to Elvis Presley during 19 years, spending about 11 months of each year on the road with Presley and his manager Colonel Parker, who also was brother in law of Mott. He also appeared in four films of the artist and was one of the selected few who actually attended Presley's funeral in 1973.

Mott died in 2001 in Brandon, Florida, at the age of 82.