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Samuel Jones
Chicago Cubs
Pitcher
Born: December 4, 1925, Stewartsville, OH
Signed: Signed by the Cleveland Indians as an amateur free agent before 1950 season
Major League Teams: Cleveland Buckeyes 1947-1948; Cleveland Indians 1951-1952; Chicago Cubs 1955-1956; St. Louis Cardinals 1957-1958; San Francisco Giants 1959-1961; Detroit Tigers 1962; St. Louis Cardinals 1963; Baltimore Orioles 1964
Died: November 5, 1971, Morgantown, WV (age 45)
On the strength of one of the better curve balls of his era, Sam Jones pitched in 14 big league seasons, earning spots on two All-Star teams and winning 21 games in 1959. Jones first pitched professionally in the Negro Leagues before briefly joining the Indians in 1951 and 1952. On May 3, 1952, with catcher Quincy Trouppe behind the plate, Jones and Trouppe became the first African American battery in major league history. Prior to the 1955 season, Jones was dealt to the Cubs in exchange for Ralph Kiner. Jones would pitch a no-hitter on May 12, 1955 against the Pirates, again making history as the first African American to throw a no-hitter. He'd lead the league with 198 strikeouts that season, a feat he'd repeat in 1956 (176) and 1958 (225).
Jones' career year came in 1959 with the Giants when he was 21-15 with a league leading 2.83 ERA with 16 complete games and four shutouts. He'd finish in second place in the Cy Young voting that season behind Early Wynn (#187). Jones last pitched in the majors in 1964, but he'd pitch three more seasons for the Pirates' top farm team in Columbus before retiring following the 1967 season. In 322 games after his Negro League career, Jones was 102-101 with a 3.59 ERA with 76 complete games, 17 shutouts and 1,376 strikeouts over 1,643 1/3 innings pitched.
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| July 21, 2007 |
July 21, 2007 from Dad's eBay purchases - Card #300
Our first son Doug was born in December 2006, and this happy event led directly to my Dad visiting us on a more regular basis. Dad was living by himself at this point in Mays Landing, New Jersey and he didn't enjoy the 40 minute drive north to our house. Among all the very positive memories I have of my Dad, one of my few negative memories is the fact he absolutely seemed to loathe driving and that loathing increased exponentially if there was traffic or if it were dark. But he made the trips anyway, sometimes staying no more than an hour, because he was so incredibly anxious and excited to spend time with his grandson.
By the time his second grandson (Ben) was born in April 2010, my Dad's health had started to fail and whatever visits we had were pre-arranged or consisted of us visiting him. Which is why these visits during Doug's infancy and first few years are so special to me. My Dad would show up usually unannounced, ecstatic to see Doug, there would be some small talk and we'd complain about the Phillies, and then he'd leave. But on his way out, he'd always say he'd see us again in a few days and I'd look forward to these visits.
This background is needed to better explain how this Jones card came into our set. In 2007, My Dad's days mostly consisted of an occasional round of golf, calls and visits to his kids - my sister and me, watching cable news, an afternoon nap and scouring eBay. Most (but not all) of his eBay purchases benefitted me in the form of 1956 Topps cards we needed for our set. He'd show up at our house for a visit with Doug and nonchalantly hand me one of his recent purchases. He brought this Jones card, by itself, on July 21, 2007. From pictures at the time, this was a sunny day we spent in the shade of our back yard.
Throughout 2007, I suspect he had a backlog of purchased 1956 Topps cards piled up on his desk at his house, and he'd grab one or two to deliver to me as he was heading out the door to make the 40 minute drive to visit Doug.
The Card / Cubs Team Set
Jones was absent from all baseball card sets in 1954 and 1955, and this marks his return to Topps for the first time since 1953. The back of the card covers all the highlights of his career to date, including his league-leading strikeout effort and his 1955 no-hitter.
1956 Season
Jones had an off year and while he lead the league in strikeouts, he also led the league in walks with 115. He was 9-14 with a 3.91 ERA for the eighth place Cubs, with only Bob Rush (#214) making more starts than Jones. On December 11th, Jones, Jim Davis (#102), Hobie Landrith (#314) and Eddie Miksis (#285) were traded to the Cardinals for Wally Lammers, Jackie Callum, Ray Katt and Tom Poholsky (#196).
Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card: 1952 Topps #382
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (9): 1952-1953, 1956-1962
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2008 Topps Heritage Then & Now High Numbers #TN10
46 - Jones non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 8/20/23.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
Throughout 2007, I suspect he had a backlog of purchased 1956 Topps cards piled up on his desk at his house, and he'd grab one or two to deliver to me as he was heading out the door to make the 40 minute drive to visit Doug.
The Card / Cubs Team Set
Jones was absent from all baseball card sets in 1954 and 1955, and this marks his return to Topps for the first time since 1953. The back of the card covers all the highlights of his career to date, including his league-leading strikeout effort and his 1955 no-hitter.
1956 Season
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First Mainstream Card: 1952 Topps #382
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (9): 1952-1953, 1956-1962
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2008 Topps Heritage Then & Now High Numbers #TN10
46 - Jones non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 8/20/23.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
SABR
The Trading Card Database
The Trading Card Database
Previous Card / Next Card
Order Collected: #291 Frank Keller - Chicago Cubs / #29 Jack Harshman - Chicago White Sox
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