Deacon Jones Stats

Deacon Jones was born on Wednesday, April 18, 1934, in White Plains, New York. Jones was 28 years old when he broke into the big leagues on September 8, 1962, with the Chicago White Sox. His biographical data, year-by-year hitting stats, fielding stats, pitching stats (where applicable), career totals, uniform numbers, salary data and miscellaneous items-of-interest are presented by Baseball Almanac on this comprehensive Deacon Jones baseball stats page.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"Grover Jones has spent more than a half century in baseball, serving the game at almost every level and in nearly every capacity. While he played in the Majors briefly and coached there for more than a decade, his greatest accomplishments may well have come far away from the bright lights of the big leagues. Jones, who is better known by his nickname 'Deacon,' is one of the legendary figures in the history of Midwest League. He set a league record in 1956 then had one of the finest seasons in circuit history in 1966 before helping break down a racial barrier in the spring of 1973. While his place in baseball history may not be as prominent as some, Jones remains one of the great Minor League figures over the last half century." - Czerwinski, Kevin T. Minor League Baseball Staff Writer. Minors legend still holds batting record Grover Deacon Jones broke barriers on and off the field. 27 February 2008.

Deacon Jones

Deacon Jones Autograph on a 1963 Topps Baseball Card (#253 | <a href='../baseball_cards/baseball_cards_oneset.php?s=1963top01' title='1963 Topps Baseball Card Checklist'>Checklist</a>)

Deacon Jones Autograph on a 1963 Topps Baseball Card (#253 | Checklist)

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Birth Name:   Grover William Jones
Nickname:   Deacon
Born On:   04-18-1934  (Aries)
Place of Birth Data Born In:   White Plains, New York
Year of Death Data Died On:   05-07-2023 (1,000 Oldest Living)
Place of Death Data Died In:   Sugar Land, Texas
Cemetery:   Not Yet Determined
High School:   White Plains High School (White Plains, NY)
College:   Ithaca College
Batting Stances Chart Bats:   Left   Throwing Arms Chart Throws:   Right
Player Height Chart Height:   5-10   Player Weight Chart Weight:   185
First Game:   09-08-1962 (Age 28)
Last Game:   10-01-1966
Draft:   Not Applicable

Deacon Jones

Deacon Jones Pitching Stats

- - Did Not Pitch - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Deacon Jones

Deacon Jones Hitting Stats

1962 28 White Sox 18 28 3 9 2 0 0 0 8 4 2 6 3 1 0 0 .321 .394 .393
1963 29 White Sox 17 16 4 3 0 1 1 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 1 1 .188 .316 .500
1966 32 White Sox 5 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .400 .400 .400
3 Years 40 49 7 14 2 1 1 0 10 6 3 8 3 1 1 1 .286 .368 .429

Deacon Jones

Deacon Jones Fielding Stats

1962 White Sox 1B 6 6 159 52 8.7 50 46 4 2 3 n/a n/a n/a .962 8.49
1963 White Sox 1B 1 1 27 7 7.0 7 6 1 0 4 n/a n/a n/a 1.000 7.00
1B Totals 7 7 186 59 8.4 57 52 5 2 7 n/a n/a n/a .966 8.27
2 Years 7 7 186 59 8.4 57 52 5 2 7 n/a n/a n/a .966 8.27

Deacon Jones

Deacon Jones Miscellaneous Stats

1962 White Sox 0 0 .000 12 0 n/a 0.0 4.7 3.5 - - -
1963 White Sox 0 0 .000 16 0 n/a 16.0 8.0 8.0 - - -
1966 White Sox 0 0 .000 5 0 n/a 0.0 0.0 0.0 - - -
3 Years 0 0 .000 33 0 n/a 49.0 6.1 4.9 - - -

Deacon Jones

Deacon Jones Miscellaneous Items of Interest

1962 Chicago White Sox 50 $2,400.00 - -
1963 Chicago White Sox 50 $4,500.00 - -
1966 Chicago White Sox 50 $5,400.00 - -

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Grover William Jones was a Major League Baseball player with the Chicago White Sox (1962-1963; 1966). When Deacon, his nickname, made his big league debut on September 8, 1962, he became the third White Plains High School (White Plains, NY) former student to play in the majors, joining Sal Yvars (1947-1954) and Art Schult (1953-1960). After high school, Jones accepted a baseball scholarship to Ithaca College, where he played baseball with the Bombers from 1953, through 1955, and he was their first former player to reach the major leagues.

Deacon Jones Rookie Card | Baseball Almanac

Deacon Jones Rookie Card | 1963 Topps Baseball Card (#253 | Checklist)
Baseball Almanac Research Library

Did you know that The Sporting News (September 19, 1951) had the following excerpt about Deacon Jones — a great natural hitter who still holds the Midwest League record for the highest single-season batting average when he hit .409 for Dubuque in 1956?

In 1951, the American Legion held its national tournament at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, with the Crenshaw, California, club going for its third consecutive championship, behind third baseman (and captain) Billy Consolo and shortstop Sparky Anderson. The final game saw them defending their title against captain Grover Jones and the White Plains team. Though White Plains lost, Jones was selected as the tournament’s outstanding player as well as Legion Junior Player of the Year, leading in average (.408), hits (20), RBIs (20), and tied for the lead in homers with two.

It was the first time a player from the losing team was designated American Legion Junior Baseball Player of the Year. The winner of the tournament was honored by having a plaque displayed for the following calendar year at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Grover Jones thereby became the first African American honored with a plaque in Cooperstown.

After hanging up his cleats, Deacon Jones joined the Houston Astros as the teams’ hitting coach from 1976 to 1982, then served as the hitting coach for the San Diego Padres from 1984 to 1987. After coaching, he became an advanced scout for the Chicago White Sox, a role he held from 1988 to 2008. On Sunday, May 7, 2023, Deacon Jones passed away. He was 89-years-old.