John W. "Candy" Nelson (March 14, 1849 – September 4, 1910) was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball. He played 13 seasons between 1872 and 1890 for nine teams in three leagues.

A native of Maine, Nelson entered professional baseball in Brooklyn in 1867. He made his major league debut in the National Association with the Troy Haymakers in 1872.

In 1890, he was the oldest player in the American Association at age 41. A couple of years later, major publications described him as owning a milk route in Brooklyn. On the 1900 U.S. Census, Nelson listed "ball player" for his occupation. He died of heart problems at home in Brooklyn in 1910.

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)

This biographical article relating to an American baseball shortstop is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e