Old Puddin’ Head’s Big Day

The Phillies have been blessed with some fine third basemen over the years. First and foremost, of course, is the GOAT, Mike Schmidt, followed by borderline Hall of Famer Scott Rolen. In the 1960s, Dick Allen played 600+ games at third base for the Phillies. But long before Rolen or Schmidt and a decade before Allen ever patrolled the hot corner in Philadelphia, Willie “Puddin’ Head” Jones from Dillon, South Carolina was a mainstay at the position. Jones, whose nickname seemed to match his southern drawl and his slow gait, possessed good range and a cannon arm at third base. He was also a clutch hitter with good power who played more games at third base than any other Phillie, save Schmidt. He was the third baseman on the Whiz Kids team that won the 1950 National League pennant.

On August 20, 1958, Jones, past his prime but still holding down his starting third base position for the Phillies, had a career offensive day. The Phillies were in St. Louis to play the Cardinals. The Phillies and Cardinals were battling it out for fifth place in the standings, both well behind league-leading Milwaukee. Future Hall of Famer Robin Roberts was on the mound for the Phillies and Billy Muffett was pitching for St. Louis.

In the top of the first inning, Richie Ashburn led off with single and promptly stole second base. Solly Hemus then singled Ashburn home. Harry Anderson struck out and Wally Post popped up before Ed Bouchee walked. That brought up Jones who launched a home run deep into the left field seats at old Busch Stadium. The blast brought home three runs and finished Muffet’s evening. Nelson Chittum came on to pitch and gave up a double to Chico Fernandez before getting Carl Sawatski to ground out to end the inning.

Roberts gave one run back in the bottom of the inning on a Don Blasingame single, a Stan Musial double and a Ken Boyer sacrifice fly. In the third, Phillie left fielder Anderson led off with a single and scored on a Post double. Bouchee then singled with Post stopping at third. Up came Jones again. Out went the ball again to deep left field in almost the same spot as his first home run. Jones had his second three-run home run of the game. The Phillies now led 8-1 and Jones had 6 RBIs in the first three innings.

Anderson increased the Phillies lead with a solo home run in the fourth inning and Jones flew out to right in the fifth. Ashburn and Hemus combined for a run in the sixth inning with back-to-back singles and Ashburn’s speed. Musial got another hit off Roberts in the bottom of the sixth and scored on a hit by Boyer. After six the score stood, Phillies 10, Cardinals 2.

In the seventh with two out, Jones singled off Cardinal pitcher Chuck Stobbs, but he was stranded when Ted Kazanski struck out. In the ninth Phil Paine was pitching for the Cardinals. Hemus was hit by a pitch and Anderson singled him to second. After Post struck out and Bouchee grounded out, Jones came up for the fifth time in the game. This time Willie doubled down the left field line scoring two more. The Phils led 12-2. Roberts set the Cardinals down in order in the bottom of the ninth for his thirteenth win of the season.

Jones’ hitting line for the game: 5 at bats, 4 hits, 1 double, 2 home runs, 8 RBIs. The four hits came against four different pitchers. The eight RBIs tied a Phillies record that is also held by Kitty Bransfield (1910), Gavvy Cravath (1915), Mike Schmidt (1976) and Jayson Werth (2008).

The 1958 season was Jones’ last full season with the Phillies. In June of 1959, the Phillies traded him to the Cleveland Indians for Jim Bolger and cash. The Indians sold Jones to the Cincinnati Reds a month later. Jones finished out his career in 1961 with the Reds.

Willie Jones is eleventh on the all-time games played list for the Philadelphia Phillies. His 180 home runs rank thirteenth and his 752 RBIs fourteenth. All-in-all Jones was a fine Phillies player for thirteen productive seasons. And “Old Puddin’ Head” had one of the all-time great nicknames.