Don Stokes

James Donald Stokes

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 184 lb.
• Born July 13, 1921 in Waverly, TN USA
• Died February 1, 1996

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Slugging outfielder Don Stokes played in the minor leagues in 1942 and from 1946 to 1956. Records indicate he averaged over 100 runs scored per year.

In his third campaign, 1947, he hit .390/.456/.677 with 222 hits, 37 home runs, 155 RBI and 144 runs scored in 138 games for the Sherman-Denison Twins. The next year, he hit .355/.426/.519 with 102 RBI, despite hitting just 7 home runs, in 129 games between two clubs.

Upon joining the high-offense West Texas-New Mexico League in 1951, his numbers really took off. He hit .384/.473/.609 with 214 hits, 59 doubles and 126 runs scored for the Lamesa Lobos in 1951 and in 1952, with the same club, he hit .363/.420/.534 with 211 hits, 50 doubles and 128 runs. He played for the Plainview Ponies for the remainder of his career. His numbers with them were as follows:

• 1953: 165 R, 242 H, 64 2B, 27 HR, 174 RBI, .426/.506/.703 BA/OBP/SLG
• 1954: 120 R, 207 H, 46 2B, 25 HR, 90 RBI, .405/.469/.669 BA/OBP/SLG
• 1955: 130 R, 209 H, 50 2B, 25 HR, 121 RBI, .366/.425/.592 BA/OBP/SLG
• 1956: 155 R, 201 H, 46 2B, 17 HR, 88 RBI, .365/.449/.548 BA/OBP/SLG

He was a frequent league leader throughout his career, leading the East Texas League in batting average in 1946 (.361) and the WTNML in hits in 1952, hits and RBI in 1953 and average and hits in 1954—among other categories. He holds the West Texas-New Mexico League single-season records for BA (.426 in '53) and hits (242 in '53).

Overall, Stokes batted about .365 with 180 home runs, 1,038 RBI and 1,246 runs scored in 12 professional seasons, per records available. He briefly managed the Ponies in 1955, replacing Jackie Sullivan and being replaced by Jodie Beeler.

He served in the United States Army during World War II from 1942 to 1945.