Spook Jacobs
From BR Bullpen
Forrest Vandergrift Jacobs
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 8½", Weight 155 lb.
- Debut April 13, 1954
- Final Game July 3, 1956
- Born November 4, 1925 in Cheswold, DE USA
[edit] Biographical Information
"I was the only rookie who ever drew Social Security." - Spook Jacobs, talking about how he spent a long time in the minors before he finally came to the majors at age 28
Second baseman Spook Jacobs was known mostly for his speed. He could steal a base and was a good fielder, but his obvious lack of power was a big drawback. He was the regular second baseman for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1954, while Jim Finigan played third, but in 1955 Finigan took over at second base.
Jacobs spent 14 years in the minors, and even when he made the majors, the A's offered him only $6,000 for his second season. He also played many years in the Caribbean, as well as playing semi-pro basketball in the off-season. He was named manager of Chattanooga for 1960. Source: Baseball Digest article, May 1960.
Jacobs had a love for stamp collecting and amassed a large and impressive collection of baseball-related stamps.
He and Joe Astroth threw out the first ball at Veterans Stadium for the game on June 18, 2002.
