George Jackson (baseball)
Encyclopedia
George Christopher Jackson (January 2, 1882 – November 26, 1972), known also as "Hickory" Jackson, was a professional baseball
player whose career spanned 27 seasons, three of which were spent in Major League Baseball
(MLB) with the Boston Rustlers/Braves
(1911–13). Over his major league career, he compiled a .285 batting average
with 85 runs scored, 158 hits
, 24 doubles
, seven triples
, four home run
s, 73 runs batted in, and 34 stolen base
s in 152 games played
. Jackson's professional career started in the minor leagues
with the Jackson Senators
.
The majority of Jackson's career was spent in the minor leagues. In 1911, he broke into the major leagues as a member of the Boston Rustlers. He spent parts of the next two seasons with the Boston National League
club. In 1913, Jackson was sent-down the minor leagues. From there, he played with the Buffalo Bisons
(1913–17), Fort Worth Panthers (1918), San Antonio Bronchos
(1919), Shreveport Gassers
(1920–23), Beaumont Exporters
(1923), Tyler Trojans (1924–25, 1927–28), Greenville Hunters
(1926), Laurel Cardinals (1929), El Dorado Lions (1930–32). Over his career in the minors, Jackson batted .297 with 2,453 hits, 443 doubles, 74 triples, and 157 home runs in 2,365 games played.
to George R., and Elmyra Jackson of England
, and Pennsylvania
, respectively. By 1900, the Jackson family was living in Hill County, Texas. George C. Jackson worked on his family farm
in Blum, Texas
at a young age. In his youth, Jackson recalled loving athletics
. He stated that whenever he had any down-time, he would throw a baseball
against his barn
and catch it, or play a pick-up game
with the farm hands.
According the The Washington Post
, Jackson displayed a "wonderful" ability to catch the baseball in his youth. He would use a small branch
as a baseball bat
. Jackson played with the Blum amateur baseball team when he was young. He was given the carfare it took to get to the ballpark by his manager
in exchange for playing. Jackson worked as an acrobat
at the age of 18. He had five siblings; brothers William, Kennith, and Robert; and sisters Lula, and Elmyra.
career started in 1906 as a pitcher
for the Jackson Senators
of the Class-D Jackson Senators
. As a member of the Senators, Jackson played with past, and future Major League Baseball
players Harry Betts
, Orth Collins
, Bill Dammann
, Tom Gettinger
, Billy Kinloch
, Jack Ryan, and Elmer Steele
. Jackson compiled a record
of 1–2 with 20 hits
allowed, 16 runs
allowed, and eight base on balls
issued that season. In 1907, Jackson was discovered by the Dallas Giants of the Class-C Texas League
whose management had heard of Jackson through the local newspaper
s, which described him as a "wonderful ball player". The Giants signed Jackson, and farmed
him out to the Lake Charles Creoles of the Class-D Gulf Coast League
, where he was used as a first baseman
. Jackson was the only player on the Lake Charles club to ever go on to play in the MLB. On the season, Jackson batted
.281 with 43 hits, six doubles
, two triples
, and one home run
in 44 games played
.
In 1908, the Dallas Giants, who had farmed Jackson out to the Lake Charles Creoles a year prior, asked him to report to the Dallas club. That season, he was used as an outfielder
. Jackson batted .242 with 53 hits, 11 doubles, three triples, and one home run in 74 games played. Jackson re-signed with the Giants in 1909. On the season, he batted .271 with 65 runs scored, 117 hits, 21 doubles, three triples, six home runs, and 53 stolen base
s in 129 games played. He was tied for third in the league in triples. Jackson again joined the Dallas club in 1910. He batted .280 with 80 runs scored, 144 hits, 17 doubles, seven triples, five home run, and 55 stolen bases in 155 games played.
Towards the end of the 1910 season, Jackson was sold by the Dallas Giants to the Memphis Turtles of the Class-A Southern Association
. In those games, he compiled three hits, two of which were doubles, in 18 at-bats. At the start of the 1911 season, Jackson re-signed with the Memphis Turtles. During the season, Billy Hamilton, who was working as a scout from the Boston Rustlers was dispatched to report back on Memphis' shortstop
Karl Crandall, who was the brother on MLB player Doc Crandall. When Hamilton arrived in Memphis, he was not impressed by the shortstop. However, he noticed Jackson in the outfield. Hamilton followed the Memphis club for two weeks watching Jackson. Finally, Hamilton reported his finding back to Boston's front office
. He was ordered to signed Jackson. With Memphis that season, Jackson batted .260 with 78 hits, 17 doubles, four triples, and two home runs in 85 games played.
. During his debut, he played center field, and collected three hits. The Washington Post reported that when Jackson "broke in with a bang" with Boston, and that his fielding was "far above par
". They also stated that Jackson had an "unassuming disposition", "has all the confidence in his ability", "is fast on his feet", and is a "good waiter". Through late-August, he led the National League
in batting average, and averaged a stolen base every game. On August 24, in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals
, Jackson his a sacrifice fly
in the eight inning to tie the score at 6–to–6, and hit a tenth inning with a run-scoring single
, giving Boston the 8–to–7 win. The Reading Eagle
described Jackson as a "sensation". With Boston that season, he batted .347 with 28 runs scored, 51 hits, 11 doubles, two triples, 25 runs batted in (RBIs), and 12 stolen bases in 39 games played. Jackson played in too few of games to qualify for the 1911 batting title.
Jackson joined the Boston club, now re-named the Braves, in March 1912 for spring training
. On May 30, Jackson hit his first MLB home run, which was inside-the-park
, against Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Nap Rucker
. Jackson hit his second career MLB home run on June 17, against Cincinnati Reds
pitcher Bert Humphries
. Jackson's third home run was also against the Reds, this time off of pitcher George Suggs
on August 6. On August 26, during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jackson hit his fourth, and final home run of the season, which was inside-the-park off of King Cole. It was also the final home run of Jackson's MLB career. On the season, he batted .262 with 55 runs scored, 104 hits, 13 triple, five triples, four home runs, 48 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases in 110 games played. Jackson finished the season tied for third with John Titus in hit by pitches
(10), and fifth in strikeout
s (72). Jackson was also tied for third with Steve Evans
, Josh Devore
, Jay Kirke
, and Mike Mitchell in errors
by an outfielder (15). Jackson played with the Boston Braves again in 1913, but appeared in just three games. In those games, he compiled two runs scored, and three hits in 10 at-bats.
of the Double-A International League
in exchange for Leslie Mannie. In his first season with Buffalo, Jackson batted .260 with 110 hits, 15 doubles, seven triples, and three home runs in 116 games played. He re-signed with the Bisons in 1914; and batted .269 with 84 hits, 17 doubles, four triples, and four home runs in 97 games played. Jackson spent his third season with the Buffalo club in 1915. He batted .255 with 51 hits, 10 doubles, one triple, and one home run in 78 games played. In 1916, Jackson again played with Buffalo. In 116 games played, he batted .325 with 146 hits, 34 doubles, nine triples, and two home runs. Jackson led the league in doubles. His last season with the Bisons came in 1917. Jackson batted .275 with 111 hits, 20 doubles, three triples, and three home runs in 112 games played.
Jackson joined the Fort Worth Panthers of the Class-B Texas League
before the start of the 1918 season. On the season, he batted .305 with 74 hits, 16 doubles, one triple, and three home runs in 69 games played. Jackson signed with the San Antonio Bronchos
of the Texas League on June 22, 1919. In September, Jackson suffered a leg injury. On the season, he batted .264 with 75 hits, 10 doubles, one triples, and three home runs in 81 games played. In 1920, Jackson signed with Shreveport Gassers
of the Texas League, and played right field. He batted .333 with 164 hits, 31 doubles, nine triples, and six home runs in 133 games played.
Jackson re-signed with the Shreveport club in 1921. On May 5, Jackson hit a single in the eight inning of a game against the Fort Worth Panthers to tie the game at 3–to–3, and later hit a triple in the tenth inning to dive in the winning run, giving the Gassers a 4–to–3 victory. After 38 games that season, Jackson led the Texas League with 14 stolen bases. On August 3, Jackson hit a walk-off home run
, giving the Gassers a 12–to–9 victory over the Houston Buffaloes
. He batted .310 with 194 hits, 31 doubles, 11 triples, and 10 home runs in 160 games played that season. Jackson was tied for fourth with Joe Connolly
in hits that season. In 1922, Jackson batted .344 with 141 hits, 28 doubles, two triples, and 10 home runs in 111 games played with the Gassers that season. He was tied for fourth with Tom Connolly in batting average that season. In 1923, Jackson played with the Shreveport Gassers, and the Beaumont Exporters
, both of the Texas League. Between the two clubs, he batted .250 with 64 hits, 11 doubles, three triples, and four home runs in 82 games played.
. On the season, he batted .371 with 154 hits, 31 doubles, and 26 home runs in 110 games played. He finished the season third in the league in home runs, and fourth in batting average. He played with the Tyler club again during the 1925 season. In 92 games played, Jackson batted .362 with 127 hits, 28 doubles, and 16 home runs. In 1926, Jackson joined the Greenville Hunters
, who were also in the East Texas League. He was also employed to manage the club. On the season, he batted .289 with 97 hits, 17 doubles, and 10 home runs in 90 games played. Jackson re-joined the Tyler Trojans, who were now members of the of the Lone Star League
in 1927. He batted .294 with 126 hits, 21 doubles, and 21 home runs in 115 games that year. Jackson finished the season second in home runs. He returned as the player-manager for the Trojans in 1928. Jackson batted .331 with 105 hits, 17 doubles, one triples, and 13 triples in 87 games played.
In January 1929, Jackson attended a meeting consisting of managers of the Lone Star League. However, at the start of the 1929 season, he was hired as the player-manager of the Laurel Cardinals of the Class-D Cotton States League. On the season, he batted .288 with 69 hits, nine doubles, three triples, and one home run in 72 games played. In 1930, Jackson was signed as the player-manager of the El Dorado Lions. The Lions were members of the Cotton States League. Jackson batted .288 with 69 hits, nine doubles, three triples, and one home run in 72 games played. He re-signed with the Lions in 1931. He batted .296 with 37 hits, and eight doubles in 55 games played. His final season of professional baseball came in 1932 at the age of 50 with the El Dorado club. Jackson batted .230 with 20 hits, one double, and one home run in 34 games played. He was replaced as the manager for the Lions mid-season by Clyde Glass.
s of Texas. By 1900, the Jackson family was living in Hill County, Texas. Jackson died in Cleburne, Texas
on November 26, 1972 at the age of 90. He was buried at Blum Cemetery in Blum, Texas.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player whose career spanned 27 seasons, three of which were spent in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
(MLB) with the Boston Rustlers/Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(1911–13). Over his major league career, he compiled a .285 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with 85 runs scored, 158 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 24 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, seven triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, four home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 73 runs batted in, and 34 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in 152 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. Jackson's professional career started in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
with the Jackson Senators
Jackson Senators
The Jackson Senators was the name of at least two minor league baseball teams that played in Jackson, Mississippi.-First team:The first known Jackson Senators club competed in the Cotton States League before 1953...
.
The majority of Jackson's career was spent in the minor leagues. In 1911, he broke into the major leagues as a member of the Boston Rustlers. He spent parts of the next two seasons with the Boston National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
club. In 1913, Jackson was sent-down the minor leagues. From there, he played with the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
(1913–17), Fort Worth Panthers (1918), San Antonio Bronchos
San Antonio Bronchos
The San Antonio Bronchos were a South Texas League and Texas League minor league baseball team based in San Antonio, Texas, USA.-League championships:...
(1919), Shreveport Gassers
Shreveport Gassers
The Schreveport Gassers were a Texas League baseball team based in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA that played from 1915 to 1924. They were affiliated with the Philadelphia Athletics from 1923 to 1924....
(1920–23), Beaumont Exporters
Beaumont Exporters
The Beaumont Exporters were a franchise in American minor league baseball that played in the Texas League from 1920-49 and 1953-55. The city of Beaumont, Texas, was also represented in the Texas League from 1912-17 and 1919 as the Oilers, from 1950-52 as the Roughnecks, and from 1983-86 as the...
(1923), Tyler Trojans (1924–25, 1927–28), Greenville Hunters
Greenville Hunters
The Greenville Hunters were a Texas League , North Texas League and East Texas League baseball team based in Greenville, Texas. Pepper Martin played for them....
(1926), Laurel Cardinals (1929), El Dorado Lions (1930–32). Over his career in the minors, Jackson batted .297 with 2,453 hits, 443 doubles, 74 triples, and 157 home runs in 2,365 games played.
Early life
George Christopher Jackson was born on January 2, 1882 in Springfield, MissouriSpringfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
to George R., and Elmyra Jackson of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, respectively. By 1900, the Jackson family was living in Hill County, Texas. George C. Jackson worked on his family farm
Farm
A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...
in Blum, Texas
Blum, Texas
Blum is a town in Hill County in Northern Central Texas. The population was 399 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Blum is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
at a young age. In his youth, Jackson recalled loving athletics
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
. He stated that whenever he had any down-time, he would throw a baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
against his barn
Barn
A barn is an agricultural building used for storage and as a covered workplace. It may sometimes be used to house livestock or to store farming vehicles and equipment...
and catch it, or play a pick-up game
Pick-up game
In sports, a pick-up game is a game that has been spontaneously started by a group of players. Unlike exhibition games and regular games, players are generally invited to show up beforehand, but there is no sense of obligation or commitment to play. Pick-up games usually lack officials and...
with the farm hands.
According the The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, Jackson displayed a "wonderful" ability to catch the baseball in his youth. He would use a small branch
Branch
A branch or tree branch is a woody structural member connected to but not part of the central trunk of a tree...
as a baseball bat
Baseball bat
A baseball bat is a smooth wooden or metal club used in the game of baseball to hit the ball after the ball is thrown by the pitcher. It is no more than 2.75 inches in diameter at the thickest part and no more than 42 inches in length. It typically weighs no more than 33 ounces , but it...
. Jackson played with the Blum amateur baseball team when he was young. He was given the carfare it took to get to the ballpark by his manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
in exchange for playing. Jackson worked as an acrobat
Acrobatics
Acrobatics is the performance of extraordinary feats of balance, agility and motor coordination. It can be found in many of the performing arts, as well as many sports...
at the age of 18. He had five siblings; brothers William, Kennith, and Robert; and sisters Lula, and Elmyra.
Professional career
Early minor league career (1906–1911)
Jackson's professional baseballProfessional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
career started in 1906 as a pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Jackson Senators
Jackson Senators
The Jackson Senators was the name of at least two minor league baseball teams that played in Jackson, Mississippi.-First team:The first known Jackson Senators club competed in the Cotton States League before 1953...
of the Class-D Jackson Senators
Jackson Senators
The Jackson Senators was the name of at least two minor league baseball teams that played in Jackson, Mississippi.-First team:The first known Jackson Senators club competed in the Cotton States League before 1953...
. As a member of the Senators, Jackson played with past, and future Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
players Harry Betts
Harry Betts (baseball)
Harold Matthew Betts , was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues in 1903 for the St. Louis Cardinals and in 1913 for the Cincinnati Reds.-External links:...
, Orth Collins
Orth Collins
Orth Stein "Buck" Collins was a Major League Baseball outfielder and pitcher. Collins played for the New York Highlanders in and the Washington Senators in . In 13 career games, he had six hits, all of the for the Highlanders, and a .250 batting average.He batted left and threw right-handed...
, Bill Dammann
Bill Dammann
William Henry Dammann was an American left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher. A native of Chicago, he played for three seasons in Major League Baseball, all of them with the Cincinnati Reds. His major league debut was in and he last appeared in the Majors in...
, Tom Gettinger
Tom Gettinger
Lewis "Tom" Thomas Leyton Gettinger was an American professional baseball player who played two season for the St. Louis Brown Stockings and one season with the Louisville Colonels....
, Billy Kinloch
Billy Kinloch
William Francis Kinloch was a Major League Baseball player. He played one game at third base for the 1895 St. Louis Browns. He was born on March 21, 1874 in St. Joseph, Missouri and he died on February 15, 1931 in New York, New York. He is buried at the Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, New York. He...
, Jack Ryan, and Elmer Steele
Elmer Steele
Elmer Rae Steele was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched from 1907-1911.-External links:...
. Jackson compiled a record
Win–loss record
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
of 1–2 with 20 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
allowed, 16 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
allowed, and eight base on balls
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
issued that season. In 1907, Jackson was discovered by the Dallas Giants of the Class-C Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
whose management had heard of Jackson through the local newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
s, which described him as a "wonderful ball player". The Giants signed Jackson, and farmed
Farm team
In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team or nursery club, is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher level at a given point...
him out to the Lake Charles Creoles of the Class-D Gulf Coast League
Gulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
, where he was used as a first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
. Jackson was the only player on the Lake Charles club to ever go on to play in the MLB. On the season, Jackson batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.281 with 43 hits, six doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, two triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and one home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
in 44 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
.
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
. Jackson batted .242 with 53 hits, 11 doubles, three triples, and one home run in 74 games played. Jackson re-signed with the Giants in 1909. On the season, he batted .271 with 65 runs scored, 117 hits, 21 doubles, three triples, six home runs, and 53 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in 129 games played. He was tied for third in the league in triples. Jackson again joined the Dallas club in 1910. He batted .280 with 80 runs scored, 144 hits, 17 doubles, seven triples, five home run, and 55 stolen bases in 155 games played.
Towards the end of the 1910 season, Jackson was sold by the Dallas Giants to the Memphis Turtles of the Class-A Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
. In those games, he compiled three hits, two of which were doubles, in 18 at-bats. At the start of the 1911 season, Jackson re-signed with the Memphis Turtles. During the season, Billy Hamilton, who was working as a scout from the Boston Rustlers was dispatched to report back on Memphis' shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Karl Crandall, who was the brother on MLB player Doc Crandall. When Hamilton arrived in Memphis, he was not impressed by the shortstop. However, he noticed Jackson in the outfield. Hamilton followed the Memphis club for two weeks watching Jackson. Finally, Hamilton reported his finding back to Boston's front office
Front office
Front office is a business term that refers to a company's departments that come in contact with clients, including the marketing, sales, and service departments...
. He was ordered to signed Jackson. With Memphis that season, Jackson batted .260 with 78 hits, 17 doubles, four triples, and two home runs in 85 games played.
Boston Rustlers/Braves (1911–13)
In exchange for allowing the Boston Rustlers to sign Jackson, the Memphis Turtles was given cash considerations, and pitcher Cecil Ferguson. Jackson made his MLB debut on August 2, against the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. During his debut, he played center field, and collected three hits. The Washington Post reported that when Jackson "broke in with a bang" with Boston, and that his fielding was "far above par
Par (score)
The word "par" is a term in the game of golf used to denote the pre-determined number of strokes that a scratch golfer should require to complete a hole, a round , or a tournament...
". They also stated that Jackson had an "unassuming disposition", "has all the confidence in his ability", "is fast on his feet", and is a "good waiter". Through late-August, he led the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in batting average, and averaged a stolen base every game. On August 24, in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, Jackson his a sacrifice fly
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
in the eight inning to tie the score at 6–to–6, and hit a tenth inning with a run-scoring single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
, giving Boston the 8–to–7 win. The Reading Eagle
Reading Eagle
The Reading Eagle is the major daily newspaper in Reading, Pennsylvania, in the United States. This family-owned newspaper has a daily circulation of 64,000 and a Sunday circulation of 100,000...
described Jackson as a "sensation". With Boston that season, he batted .347 with 28 runs scored, 51 hits, 11 doubles, two triples, 25 runs batted in (RBIs), and 12 stolen bases in 39 games played. Jackson played in too few of games to qualify for the 1911 batting title.
Jackson joined the Boston club, now re-named the Braves, in March 1912 for spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. On May 30, Jackson hit his first MLB home run, which was inside-the-park
Inside-the-park home run
In baseball parlance, an inside-the-park home run, "leg home run", or "quadruple", is a play where a batter hits a home run without hitting the ball out of play.-Discussion:...
, against Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Nap Rucker
Nap Rucker
George Napoleon "Nap" Rucker was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Brooklyn Superbas/Dodgers/Robins. He was born in Crabapple, Georgia....
. Jackson hit his second career MLB home run on June 17, against Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
pitcher Bert Humphries
Bert Humphries
Albert Humphries , was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from -. He would play for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies.-External links:...
. Jackson's third home run was also against the Reds, this time off of pitcher George Suggs
George Suggs
George Franklin Suggs was a major league baseball pitcher....
on August 6. On August 26, during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jackson hit his fourth, and final home run of the season, which was inside-the-park off of King Cole. It was also the final home run of Jackson's MLB career. On the season, he batted .262 with 55 runs scored, 104 hits, 13 triple, five triples, four home runs, 48 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases in 110 games played. Jackson finished the season tied for third with John Titus in hit by pitches
Hit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch , or hit batsman , is a batter or his equipment being hit in some part of his body by a pitch from the pitcher.-Official rule:...
(10), and fifth in strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s (72). Jackson was also tied for third with Steve Evans
Steve Evans
Steve Evans or Stephen Evans may refer to:*Steve Evans , Major League Baseball player*Steve Evans , Scottish football manager with Crawley Town*Steve Evans , Welsh international footballer...
, Josh Devore
Josh Devore
Joshua M. Devore , was a professional baseball player who played outfielder in the major leagues from -. He would play for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Giants, and Boston Braves....
, Jay Kirke
Jay Kirke
Judson Fabian Kirke was an American Major League Baseball player. He played from 1910-1918 with the Detroit Tigers, Boston Braves, Cleveland Indians and New York Giants. Continued to play in the minor leagues through 1935 and managed for a while after that.-External links:...
, and Mike Mitchell in errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
by an outfielder (15). Jackson played with the Boston Braves again in 1913, but appeared in just three games. In those games, he compiled two runs scored, and three hits in 10 at-bats.
Buffalo Bisons, and Texas League (1913–1923)
On May 14, 1913, the Boston Braves traded Jackson to the Buffalo BisonsBuffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
of the Double-A International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
in exchange for Leslie Mannie. In his first season with Buffalo, Jackson batted .260 with 110 hits, 15 doubles, seven triples, and three home runs in 116 games played. He re-signed with the Bisons in 1914; and batted .269 with 84 hits, 17 doubles, four triples, and four home runs in 97 games played. Jackson spent his third season with the Buffalo club in 1915. He batted .255 with 51 hits, 10 doubles, one triple, and one home run in 78 games played. In 1916, Jackson again played with Buffalo. In 116 games played, he batted .325 with 146 hits, 34 doubles, nine triples, and two home runs. Jackson led the league in doubles. His last season with the Bisons came in 1917. Jackson batted .275 with 111 hits, 20 doubles, three triples, and three home runs in 112 games played.
Jackson joined the Fort Worth Panthers of the Class-B Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
before the start of the 1918 season. On the season, he batted .305 with 74 hits, 16 doubles, one triple, and three home runs in 69 games played. Jackson signed with the San Antonio Bronchos
San Antonio Bronchos
The San Antonio Bronchos were a South Texas League and Texas League minor league baseball team based in San Antonio, Texas, USA.-League championships:...
of the Texas League on June 22, 1919. In September, Jackson suffered a leg injury. On the season, he batted .264 with 75 hits, 10 doubles, one triples, and three home runs in 81 games played. In 1920, Jackson signed with Shreveport Gassers
Shreveport Gassers
The Schreveport Gassers were a Texas League baseball team based in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA that played from 1915 to 1924. They were affiliated with the Philadelphia Athletics from 1923 to 1924....
of the Texas League, and played right field. He batted .333 with 164 hits, 31 doubles, nine triples, and six home runs in 133 games played.
Jackson re-signed with the Shreveport club in 1921. On May 5, Jackson hit a single in the eight inning of a game against the Fort Worth Panthers to tie the game at 3–to–3, and later hit a triple in the tenth inning to dive in the winning run, giving the Gassers a 4–to–3 victory. After 38 games that season, Jackson led the Texas League with 14 stolen bases. On August 3, Jackson hit a walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
, giving the Gassers a 12–to–9 victory over the Houston Buffaloes
Houston Buffaloes
The Houston Buffaloes or Buffs were an American minor league baseball team that was founded in 1888, played in the Texas League in the years 1888-90, 1892, 1895-99, and 1907-1958 ; in the South Texas League in the years 1903-06; and in the American Association from 1959-61...
. He batted .310 with 194 hits, 31 doubles, 11 triples, and 10 home runs in 160 games played that season. Jackson was tied for fourth with Joe Connolly
Joe Connolly
Joseph Aloysius Connolly was a left fielder in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Boston Braves from through . Listed at 5' 7.5", 165 lb., Connolly batted left-handed and threw right-handed....
in hits that season. In 1922, Jackson batted .344 with 141 hits, 28 doubles, two triples, and 10 home runs in 111 games played with the Gassers that season. He was tied for fourth with Tom Connolly in batting average that season. In 1923, Jackson played with the Shreveport Gassers, and the Beaumont Exporters
Beaumont Exporters
The Beaumont Exporters were a franchise in American minor league baseball that played in the Texas League from 1920-49 and 1953-55. The city of Beaumont, Texas, was also represented in the Texas League from 1912-17 and 1919 as the Oilers, from 1950-52 as the Roughnecks, and from 1983-86 as the...
, both of the Texas League. Between the two clubs, he batted .250 with 64 hits, 11 doubles, three triples, and four home runs in 82 games played.
Later career (1924–1932)
In 1924, Jackson joined the Tyler Trojans of the Class-D East Texas LeagueEast Texas League
The East Texas League was a Texas-based league in minor league baseball that existed on-and-off from 1916 to 1950.-1916:In 1916, the first East Texas League began play. A Class-D league, it folded on July 19 of that season. The "league champions," by default, were the Palestine Athletics and Lufkin...
. On the season, he batted .371 with 154 hits, 31 doubles, and 26 home runs in 110 games played. He finished the season third in the league in home runs, and fourth in batting average. He played with the Tyler club again during the 1925 season. In 92 games played, Jackson batted .362 with 127 hits, 28 doubles, and 16 home runs. In 1926, Jackson joined the Greenville Hunters
Greenville Hunters
The Greenville Hunters were a Texas League , North Texas League and East Texas League baseball team based in Greenville, Texas. Pepper Martin played for them....
, who were also in the East Texas League. He was also employed to manage the club. On the season, he batted .289 with 97 hits, 17 doubles, and 10 home runs in 90 games played. Jackson re-joined the Tyler Trojans, who were now members of the of the Lone Star League
Lone Star League
The Lone Star League was the name of three American minor professional baseball leagues located in the state of Texas during the 20th century. The leagues operated from 1927–1929 , 1947–1948 and 1977 ....
in 1927. He batted .294 with 126 hits, 21 doubles, and 21 home runs in 115 games that year. Jackson finished the season second in home runs. He returned as the player-manager for the Trojans in 1928. Jackson batted .331 with 105 hits, 17 doubles, one triples, and 13 triples in 87 games played.
In January 1929, Jackson attended a meeting consisting of managers of the Lone Star League. However, at the start of the 1929 season, he was hired as the player-manager of the Laurel Cardinals of the Class-D Cotton States League. On the season, he batted .288 with 69 hits, nine doubles, three triples, and one home run in 72 games played. In 1930, Jackson was signed as the player-manager of the El Dorado Lions. The Lions were members of the Cotton States League. Jackson batted .288 with 69 hits, nine doubles, three triples, and one home run in 72 games played. He re-signed with the Lions in 1931. He batted .296 with 37 hits, and eight doubles in 55 games played. His final season of professional baseball came in 1932 at the age of 50 with the El Dorado club. Jackson batted .230 with 20 hits, one double, and one home run in 34 games played. He was replaced as the manager for the Lions mid-season by Clyde Glass.
Later life
Jackson resided in Blum, Texas with his wife Elizabeth, and their children Finis, Jack, George E., and Evelyn. Jackson's son, George E. Jackson, worked in the oil fieldOil field
An oil field is a region with an abundance of oil wells extracting petroleum from below ground. Because the oil reservoirs typically extend over a large area, possibly several hundred kilometres across, full exploitation entails multiple wells scattered across the area...
s of Texas. By 1900, the Jackson family was living in Hill County, Texas. Jackson died in Cleburne, Texas
Cleburne, Texas
Cleburne is a city in Johnson County, Texas, United States, and a suburb of Fort Worth. According to 2007 United States Census Bureau estimates, the population is 29,050. It is the county seat of Johnson County. Cleburne is named for a Confederate General, Patrick Cleburne...
on November 26, 1972 at the age of 90. He was buried at Blum Cemetery in Blum, Texas.