Red Jones (umpire)

Red Jones
Born Nicholas Ittner Jones
(1905-04-16)April 16, 1905
Charlotte, North Carolina
Died March 19, 1987(1987-03-19) (aged 81)
Miami, Florida
Occupation Umpire
Years active 1944–1949
Employer American League

Nicholas Ittner Jones (1905–1987) was an American baseball umpire in the American League between 1944 and 1949. Jones worked in 889 major league games during that stretch.[1]

Umpiring career

From 1936 to 1943, Jones was a minor league umpire with the South Atlantic League, Piedmont League and Southern Association.[2] He made his major league debut as third base umpire in a twelve-inning contest between Philadelphia and Washington on April 18, 1944.[1]

Notable games

In a 1946 game at Fenway Park, Jones was behind the plate when he received heckling from the Chicago White Sox bench. Jones was called a "meathead" and someone made "whoopee-cushion noises". Unable to pinpoint the culprits, Jones ejected fourteen from the Chicago bench. For many years, legend had it that the razzing came from a ventriloquist in the stands, but at least one player has identified Chicago coach Mule Haas as the source.[3]

Later life

After retiring from umpiring, Jones worked in public relations for the Associated Brewing Company.

Death

Jones died on March 19, 1987 in Miami, Florida.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Retrosheet: Red Jones, retrieved July 18, 2012
  2. The Sporting News Umpire Card: Nicholas Jones, retrieved July 17, 2012
  3. Branch, John (July 6, 2006). "60 years and 1,000 tales since 14 were ejected". The New York Times. Retrieved August 14, 2012.


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