Jake Dunn
Joseph P. Dunn
(Jake)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 10", Weight 190 lb.
- Debut 1930
- Final Game 1943
- Born November 5, 1909 in Luther, OK USA
- Died July 24, 1984 in Los Angeles, CA USA
Biographical Information[edit]
Jake Dunn was a Negro League infielder for a decade, making two All-Star teams.
Dunn got his start with the Detroit Stars in 1930, hitting .279 while manning shortstop. He batted .322 in the 1930-1931 California Winter League, with his three triples tying for the lead. In 1932, he batted .375 for the Washington Pilots. Had he qualified, he would have been second in the East-West League in average behind Bill Perkins. In the 1932-1933 winter, he hit .378, .003 behind California Winter League leader Alex Radcliffe.
Dunn bounced around in 1933, playing third base for the Nashville Elite Giants, then hitting third and playing short for the Baltimore Black Sox (batting .356) and finally ending up with the Philadelphia Stars, where he would spend the rest of his career. As an outfielder for the Stars in 1934, he hit .231. He was 4 for 11 with two doubles and a homer in the 1934-1935 California Winter League, backing up Sammy T. Hughes.
Jake batted .436 for Philadelphia in 1935 and would have led the league had he qualified. Moving back to short, he fell to .153 in 1936. A starter at second in 1937, he hit .186. In the 1937 East-West Game, he backed up Chester Williams at second base for the East, going 0 for 1 with a walk against Porter Moss in a 7-2 win.
Dunn hit .238 in the California Winter League in 1937-1938. At short for the Stars in 1938, he hit .229. He played in the 1938 East-West Game, pinch-hitting for Schoolboy Johnny Taylor in the 9th and singling off Double Duty Radcliffe in a 5-4 defeat. He was 2 for 11 with two doubles in winter ball in California. In 1939, he repeated at .229. He homered twice in an inning that year against the New York Black Yankees. James Riley identifies him as Philadelphia's manager that year, though John Holway lists Webster McDonald instead.
In 1939-1940, Dunn led the California Winter League with a .350 average. In 11 games, he also led in doubles (three) and tied for the homer lead (2, even with Wild Bill Wright). Dunn wrapped up his career in the Negro Leagues with a .174 mark in 1940. He went 3 for 8 in the 1941-1942 California Winter League.
In the 1930s, Joe Cambria tried to recruit the light-skinned Dunn to play for his Albany Senators but Dunn turned him down.
Overall, Dunn had hit .335 in the California Winter League, 8th all-time between Bullet Rogan and Tank Carr. His 13 homers tied Connie Day for 12th all-time.
Dunn served in the US Military from 1942 to 1945.
Notable Achievements[edit]
- 2-time NNL All-Star (1937 & 1938)
- NNL Triples Leader (1934)
Year-By-Year Managerial Record[edit]
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | Philadelphia Stars | Negro National League | 14-13 | 6th | Philadelphia Stars | Lost in 1st Round | Replaced Jud Wilson (11-17) |
| 1940 | Philadelphia Stars | Negro National League | 26-27 | 4th | Philadelphia Stars | Replaced Roy Parnell (6-8) |
Sources[edit]
- The Complete Book of Baseball's Negro Leagues by John Holway
- The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues by James Riley
- Black Baseball's National Showcase by Larry Lester
- The California Winter League by William McNeil
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