We’re Contacted by Relative of Former Major Leaguer, “Sad” Sam Jones!

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We’re Contacted by Relative of Former Major Leaguer, “Sad” Sam Jones!

I’m happy to report that we were recently contacted by Mathew S. Taylor, the great-grandson of the former major league star, “Sad” Sam Jones.

Mathew is understandably very proud of his great-granddad, and gladly shared some interesting information. As you read on, you’ll discover that there was a lot more to “Sad” Sam Jones than just baseball!

In a career that began in the Dead Ball Era and spanned 22 consecutive years (1914-1935), Sam Jones played for six different teams: Indians, Red Sox, Yankees, Browns, Senators, and White Sox. After starting his career with the Indians, he was part of the memorable 1916 deal that sent Tris Speaker to Cleveland and Sam to Boston. His 22 consecutive seasons pitching in one league is a major league record shared with Herb Pennock, Early Wynn, Red Ruffing and Steve Carlton.  When Jones retired in 1935 at age 42, he was the oldest active player in the game.

Known for his sharp, breaking curve ball, Sam was one of the most dominant and durable pitchers of his era, compiling a 229-217 record, with a 3.84 ERA, and 1223 strike outs over 3883 innings. He appeared in 647 games, 487 as a starter, with 250 complete games and 36 shutouts. Jones was a member of four pennant winners and three World Series championships. In six World Series games, he went 0-2 with a 2.05 ERA.

His most productive season came in 1921, with career-highs in wins (23), strikeouts (98), innings (298.2), and leading the league in shutouts (5). In 1923, as the ace of the Yankees’ staff, he posted a 21–8 record with a 3.63 ERA and led the Yankees to their first World Series title. Jones also threw a no-hitter that year against the Athletics (with no strikeouts!), the first no-hitter in Yankee Stadium.

A case can be made that Sam Jones belongs in the Hall of Fame. His 229 wins currently rank 66 all-time, and ahead of many Hall-of-Famers. The Baseball Reference Similarity Scores feature ranks his career favorably with Hall-of-Famers Red Faber, Ted Lyons, Waite Hoyt, and Burleigh Grimes. 

In the featured photo below from the George Brace collection with his two son, George and Paul, Mathew felt that “the photo really conveys how much fun the boys were having that day, as Paul, attempts to maintain the stoic pose which his father Sam was so renowned for.” (Paul, who was Mathew’s grandfather, passed away in 2006; George passed away in 2008).

Mathew shared some interesting information, including how he acquired his famous nickname:

“Part of the reason he got the moniker “Sad” Sam was his stoic stare downs.  He would say there are only so many pitches in his old arm and that he didn’t see much use in wasting them throwing over to first.  So, he perfected a technique of “staring down” the man on first. He was all business when he took the mound and was reflected in his demeanor, in contrast to his generally jovial personality and dry wit humor when not on the field.”

Mathew noted that Sam possessed an unusual avocation for a ball player: he was a writer, with his baseball-themed poem/essay, “Life is Baseball” published several times (see essay below). In addition, Sam was an amateur photographer and would take his 8mm camera almost everywhere he went: “Many of his films have not survived but we have a few that features some pregame warm-ups, hunting trips, and riding horses with his good friend Lou Gehrig.”

Mathew also recalled that Sam was a lover of all sports, not just baseball:

“He was known for saying he loved basketball the most and if the NBA was in existence back in his heyday he would have likely pursued a career on the hardwood.  He actually did play semipro basketball in 1913-’14, before signing with the Indians in 1915. He was a proud citizen of Woodsfield, a small town in Ohio where he resided until his death on a small horse farm despite being a star player in both Boston and New York.  He was committed to his community and coached many youth teams over the years in Woodsfield.”

Here’s the short essay/poem written by Sam Jones. While it might not have won any literary awards, I think the final stanza has some real meaning for all of us baseball fans!: 

BASEBALL IS BUT A GAME OF LIFE, by Sam Jones

First base of Egotism, Second base of overconfidence, third base of indifference, Home plate of honest achievement.

A good many men lose by reason of pop-flies; the short-stop of public opinion frequently nips short the career of a man who fails to connect with the ball of life with a good sound wallop.

A good many batters lose by fouls, because all men every where have not learned that a good clean hit is always best.

The winner is the man who knocks the horse-hide of opportunity loose with the bat of honest effort.

When you have batted for the last, made the rounds of the bases and successfully negotiated home-plate, may we hope to hear the Umpire of LIFE, which after all, is the esteem of friends and acquaintances, call to you that you’re safe. 

Thanks to Mathew S. Taylor for sharing some interesting information about his great-granddad, “Sad” Sam Jones, who we now know was much more than just a ball player!

Gary Livacari 

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Information: Excerpts edited from information sent by Mathew S. Taylor

Check out my two books, both now available on Amazon in e-book and paperback:  “Paul Pryor in His Own Words: The Life and TImes of a 20-Year Major League Umpire”and “Memorable World Series Moments.” All profits go to the Illinois Veterans Foundation