1953 Topps Sam Jones

Card #6
Sam Jones
Cleveland Indians
Pitcher

• Played 14 seasons in the majors with the Indians, Cubs, Giants, Cardinals, Tigrs and  Orioles.
• Played in the Negro Leagues with the Cleveland Buckeyes.
• Pitched a no-hitter on May 15, 1955 and had a second no-hitter rained out in the seventh inning in 1959. 
• Led the National League in both strikeouts and walks in 1955, 1956 and 1958. 

In what was sort of a microcosm of his entire career, in Sam's no hitter against the Pirates he walked the bases loaded to start the ninth inning, then proceeded to strike out the side to end the game. "Toothpick" Jones threw hard, had one of the greatest curveballs in the game and absolutely zero control. He started out with the Indians but was later traded to the Cubs for Ralph Kiner. He got a spot in the rotation with Chicago and pitched the no-hitter but also walked 185 batters and lost 20 games. He was able to dial down the walks a bit over the next few seasons and posted a career year with the Giants in 1959. 21 wins, a 2.83 ERA and 209 strikeouts earned him the Sporting News National League Pitcher of the Year award. 

Stan Musial stated that Sam's curveball was the best he'd ever seen. I wonder if a guy like Sam could make it in today's game. The combination of electric stuff and walks all over the place would drive managers and fans insane. His general manager might get rid of him just to save on therapy bills for the coaching staff. Then again, Sad Sam was traded four times in his career so maybe the game hasn't changed that much after all.