Sheldon Jones

Who was Sheldon Jones?

Sheldon Leslie "Available" Jones was an American professional baseball player, a right-handed pitcher who played in the Major Leagues from 1946–1953 for the New York Giants, Boston Braves, and Chicago Cubs. He earned his nickname from a character in the Li'l Abner comic strip and because of his durability as both a starting pitcher and a reliever early in his MLB career as a member of the Giants. The native of Tecumseh, Nebraska, stood 6 feet tall and weighed 180 pounds.

In 1948, Jones appeared in 55 games played, 21 as a starter and 34 in relief, worked in 201⅓ innings, and won 16 of 24 decisions, with five saves and eight complete games, while posting a creditable earned run average of 3.35. The following year, 1949, Jones was mostly a starter. He appeared in 207⅓ innings, won 15, lost 12, and had 11 complete games. He registered no saves, but still finished nine games, and lowered his ERA to 3.34. Finally, in 1950, Jones worked in 40 games, 28 as a starter. He logged 199 innings, 11 more complete games and two saves, but his effectiveness diminished, as he posted a losing record and a poor 4.61 ERA.