Occupation Umpire Died 1987 Role Baseball Umpire | Name Red Jones Years active 1944–1949 Employer American League | |
Full Name Nicholas Ittner Jones Born April 16, 1905 ( 1905-04-16 ) Charlotte, North Carolina | ||
Nicholas Ittner "Red" Jones (April 16, 1905 – March 19, 1987) was an American baseball umpire in the American League between 1944 and 1949. Jones worked in 889 major league games during that stretch.
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Umpiring career
From 1936 to 1943, Jones was a minor league umpire with the South Atlantic League, Piedmont League and Southern Association. He made his major league debut as third base umpire in a twelve-inning contest between Philadelphia and Washington on April 18, 1944.
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.
Later life
After retiring from umpiring, Jones worked in public relations for the Associated Brewing Company and briefly as a television commentator for the Cleveland Indians.
Death
Jones died on March 19, 1987 in Miami, Florida.