Jack L. Jones
From BR Bullpen
Jack L. Jones
- Throws Right
Jack Jones pitched professionally for four seasons. In 1953, he was with the Oshkosh Giants for a short spell, then pitched for the Mayfield Clothiers (6-6, 5.79). In 1954, he toiled for the Shelby Clippers (2-0), Charleston Senators (making his AAA debut) and the Superior Blues (7-7, 4.65). Jones spent the entire 1955 season in AAA with Charleston, posting a 4-2 record and 5.03 ERA. He concluded his career with the 1956 Syracuse Chiefs, going 1-1 on the hill.
[edit] Personal Recollection
Jack Jones was a righthanded pitcher for the 1953 Oshkosh Giants of the Class D Wisconsin State League. It was his rookie year in pro ball, and he was about 18 years old. I was also on that team. Our manager was Dave Garcia. We were part of the New York Giants baseball minor-league system. I believe Jack was from Kentucky. After about 5 weeks, Jack was reassigned to another Class D team in the Giants farm system, Mayfield, KY. Jack probably played further in his pro career, but I do not know what other teams he played for. My most significant memory of Jack took place during our home opener in Oshkosh. I was also a pitcher and neither Jack nor I were pitching that night. He convinced me to take a chaw of chewing tobacco saying something to the effect that "you ain't a real ballplayer unless you chew." I had never smoked or used tobacco before. Needless to say, about the third inning I had turned pale and beads of sweat appeared on my forehead. I was sick as a dog. I was nauseated and the ball park seemed to be spinning. I spit out that chaw and never chewed again.
submitted by Bill O'Donnell as a personal remembrance of his own rookie year in 1953
