Jake Caulfield

Who was Jake Caulfield?

John Joseph "Jake" Caulfield was an American professional baseball player whose career lasted for six seasons, including one campaign in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Philadelphia Athletics. Born in Los Angeles, California, he threw and batted right-handed, stood 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed 170 pounds.

After attending the University of San Francisco, Caulfield began his pro career during World War II at the relatively advanced age of 25 for the Oakland Oaks of the top-level Pacific Coast League, appearing in 152 games in 1943. He would be the Oaks' regular shortstop for three seasons, through 1945, until his acquisition by the Athletics for 1946. In his lone MLB season, Caulfield appeared in 44 games, including 31 games at shortstop and one at third base. In 94 at bats, he registered 26 hits, including eight doubles, and he scored 13 runs. He was the club's third-most-used shortstop, behind Pete Suder and Jack Wallaesa.

Caulfield returned to the minor leagues for his final two professional seasons at the Triple-A level.