Nippy Jones
Nippy Jones | ||
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Runs batted in | 209 | |
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Vernal Leroy "Nippy" Jones (June 29, 1925 – October 3, 1995) was an American
St. Louis Cardinals
Jones was born in Los Angeles, and signed with the Cardinals upon graduation from John C. Fremont High School in Inglewood, California, in 1943. After batting .304 for the Cardinals' Pacific Coast League affiliate Sacramento Solons in 1943, Jones left baseball for two years in order to serve in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.
He returned in 1946, spending most of the season with the Cardinals' triple A affiliate Rochester Red Wings. However, he did appear in sixteen games with the Cardinals, and was on their post-season roster. He struck out in his only plate appearance of the 1946 World Series against the Boston Red Sox in game five.[1]
He split
Sacramento Solons
Jones remained with the Cardinals through 1951. Following the season, he was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the rule 5 draft. He appeared in only eight games for the Phillies in 1952, spending most of the season with their triple A affiliate, the Baltimore Orioles.
He returned to the Sacramento Solons in 1953, who were at that point, unaffiliated. He remained with the club through the beginning of the 1957 season. The Milwaukee Braves were in second place behind the Cardinals, and purchased Jones' contract when slugging first baseman Joe Adcock went down with an injury.
1957 World Series and controversy
The highlight of his season occurred on July 26, when he hit a
Jones is remembered for being involved in a controversial "shoe polish incident" in the
Jones led off the Milwaukee half of the tenth inning, pinch hitting for
A similar incident would be repeated twelve years later by Cleon Jones of the New York Mets in Game 5 of the 1969 World Series.[4]
Personal
After the 1957 World Series, Jones returned to the Sacramento Solons, and remained with them until 1959. He spent one season with the Portland Beavers before retiring in 1960.
Following his retirement from baseball, Jones worked in public relations and title-insurance businesses in Sacramento, California, and became a professional fishing guide.
Jones died due to a heart attack on October 3, 1995. He was survived by his wife of 49 years, Nora, four children and six grandchildren.[6]
References
- ^ "1946 World Series, Game Five". Baseball-Reference.com. 1946-10-11.
- ^ "Milwaukee Braves 6, New York Giants 3". Baseball-Reference.com. 1957-07-26.
- ^ "Nippy Jones Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
- ^ ISSN 0005-609X
- ^ "1957 World Series, Game Four". Baseball-Reference.com. 1957-10-06.
- ^ "Nippy Jones, 70, A Baseball Footnote". New York Times. 1995-10-07.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs
- Nippy Jones at Find a Grave