He played in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators / Texas Rangers, and Kansas City Royals from 1968 through 1977.

He helped to develop many players, including Kenny Lofton, Scott Podsednik and Rickie Weeks.

[6] Nelson moved with the franchise to Texas, where he continued to gain a reputation as a base-stealing threat, stealing 51 bases in 1972.

[5] Pinch-hitting for Tom Poquette in Game 3 of the 1976 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, he grounded out against Sparky Lyle.

[3] Over the next two-plus decades would work in various capacities for the Oakland Athletics (Director of Instruction, 1986–1987), Montreal Expos (minor league baserunning instructor, 1990–1991), Cleveland Indians (1992–1997), and Milwaukee Brewers (minor league outfield instructor, 2001–2002, first base coach, 2003–2006).

[4][5] On May 26, 2012 Nelson was inducted into the Compton Community College Athletics Hall of Fame, under the category of Baseball.