Jack Creel

Jack Dalton Creel
(Tex)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 165 lb.
• High School Hays High School (Buda)
• Debut April 22, 1945
• Final Game September 25, 1945
• Born April 23, 1916 in Kyle, TX USA
• Died August 13, 2002 in Houston, TX USA

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Biographical Information

Texan Jack Creel overcame a crippling deformity in his hands to pitch sixteen seasons (1938-1953) in professional baseball, signing as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals before the 1938 season. The right-hander spent seven years in the minors before getting his one and only chance at the bigs. After posting six double-digit winning seasons in his first seven years, he made his debut with the Cardinals on April 22, 1945. Jack appeared in 26 games, with a 5-4 record and 4.14 ERA in 87 innings. He pitched his last game on September 25.

In 1946, with many players returning from the war, he was back in the minors with the Columbus Red Birds of the American Association and spent the remainder of his career in AA and AAA leagues. Jack had four double-digit winning seasons from 1946 to 1953 and closed his career with a 179-157 record and 3.37 ERA. Jack's first good year was 1940, when he went 22-7 with a league leading 1.51 ERA for the Daytona Beach Islanders of the Class D Florida State League. He also went 16-10 with a 3.39 ERA for the Houston Buffaloes of the AA Texas League in 1949. On December 5, 1949, Jack was drafted by the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League from the St. Louis Cardinals in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.

Creel was a cousin of former major league pitcher Tex Hughson. He died August 8, 2002, at his home in Houston, aged 86.

Related Sites

• Jack Creel at the SABR Bio Project