Nippy Jones

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Vernal Leroy Jones

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Biographical Information[edit]

Nippy Jones spent most of his major league career with the St. Louis Cardinals. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and made a token appearance as a pinch hitter in the 1946 World Series, won by the Cardinals. He was later a regular on the 1948 and 1949 teams, both of which finished in second place. In 1949, he hit .300.

He had the unusual distinction in 1948 of leading the league in grounded-into-double-plays, usually the mark of a slow runner, and also being sixth in the league in triples, usually the mark of a fast runner. The next year he reduced his numbers in both of those categories.

Nippy Jones played first base eight years with the Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Braves and 13 seasons in the minor leagues, losing two years to the military.

He is perhaps most remembered for his winning an argument with an umpire in the 1957 World Series with the Milwaukee Braves, when he had the ball retrieved and showed the umpire his shoe polish on the ball. He was awarded first base on a hit by pitch.

He spent seven of his last eight years in pro baseball playing for the Sacramento Solons in the Pacific Coast League. After retiring as a player, he worked in public relations for a Sacramento, CA title company before becoming a fishing guide.

He died from a heart attack at his home and he is buried at Southeast Lawn Memorial Park in Sacramento.

Notable Achievements[edit]

Further Reading[edit]

  • Dan Fields: "Nippy Jones", in Gregory H. Wolf, ed.: Thar's Joy in Braveland: The 1957 Milwaukee Braves, SABR, Phoenix, AZ, 2014, pp. 102-106. ISBN 978-1933599717

Related Sites[edit]