Roadblock Jones, 1935-2007

[Guest Edgy DC]

Former Sen. Sherman Jones dies at age 72
Published: Saturday, February 24, 2007 12:50 PM CST
Kansan Staff Report

Former Wyandotte County Senator Sherman Jones, who also played Major League Baseball for three seasons and pitched for the Cincinnati Reds in the 1961 World Series passed away Wednesday at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He was 72.

http://www.rndng3rd.com/NYMHall/players/J/Shejon.jpgJones was first elected as a State Representative in 1988. After serving for three years, he was elected to the Senate, where he served nine years before retiring in 2001. His successor to the position, Sen. David Haley (D - 4th District), followed much the same political path as Jones.

�Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,� Haley said Friday afternoon. �He and Amelia celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary not long ago, but it was more of a community celebration. He was such a staple in our community.�

A native of Winton, N.C., Jones met his future wife Amelia while playing baseball in 1956 for a team in Topeka, Kan. After playing professionally for three years, including stints with the Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants and New York Mets, Jones moved to Kansas City, Kan.


In addition to his community involvement, Jones was a member of the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department for 22 years.

Jones, whose baseball nickname was Roadblock, appeared in game five of the 1961 World Series against the New York Yankees, pitching two-thirds of an inning. One of eight Reds pitchers in the game, Jones was the only one who did not allow either a hit or a run. The Yankees - a team that featured Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford and Roger Maris in his home run record-breaking season - won the game 13-5, however, and the World Series, four games to one.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Jones and Stanley Jefferson comprised the fraternity of ex-Mets who became police officers. (There are probably others.) I guess he's the most successful politician among ex-Mets. Bob Friend had been long rumored to have his eye on a political career, and eventually became an anchorman.

You can view his papers at the University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Got his nickname playing for the Giants farm club in Jersey City. I believe he won some 11 or 12 outings in a row and so was a roadblock to other teams' winning streaks.

famously knocked out of the 62 rotation by injuring his eye while lighting a cigarette.

[MFS62]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: famously knocked out of the 62 rotation by injuring his eye while lighting a cigarette.

Considering the '62 Mets, that was somehow "right".

With that colorful nickname, he was a fan favorite before he pitched a single game.

Too bad.

Later

[Guest Edgy DC]

I count 31 of 45 1962 Mets still walking the globe.