Forrest Vandergrift Jacobs (November 4, 1925 – February 18, 2011) was a
second baseman in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
who played from 1954 through 1956 for the
Philadelphia / Kansas City Athletics (1954–56), and
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
(1956). Listed at , 155 lb, he batted and threw right-handed. His teammates affectionately called him ''Spook'', a moniker that he used throughout his life.
Baseball career
Born in
Cheswold, Delaware
Cheswold is a town in Kent County in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is part of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,380 at the 2010 census.
History
The town was incorporated in 1856 following the construction ...
, Jacobs graduated from
Salem High School,
Salem, New Jersey
Salem is a city in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the city's population was 5,146, in 1943. Immediately after graduation, Jacobs enlisted in the United States Army where he rose to the rank of sergeant during World War II and was awarded the Asian Pacific Campaign Theatre Medal, the American Campaign Theatre Medal, the United States Army Good Conduct Medal, and the United States Victory Medal.
Following his honorable military discharge, he played professional baseball for 17 seasons for the
Brooklyn Dodgers
The Brooklyn Dodgers were a Major League Baseball team founded in 1884 as a member of the American Association (19th century), American Association before joining the National League in 1890. They remained in Brooklyn until 1957, after which the ...
,
Philadelphia / Kansas City Athletics and
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
organizations, three of them in the majors, while playing for several professional league clubs including the highly competitive
Cuba
Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...
n,
Panama
Panama ( , ; es, link=no, Panamá ), officially the Republic of Panama ( es, República de Panamá), is a transcontinental country spanning the southern part of North America and the northern part of South America. It is bordered by Cos ...
nian and
Puerto Rican winter leagues.
Winter leagues
Jacobs won batting titles in Panama in the 1948–49 and the 1949–50 seasons while also helping Panama to its only Caribbean World Series Championship by having the game-winning walk-off hit against Puerto Rico for the
Carta Vieja Yankees
The Panamanian Professional Baseball League ( es, Béisbol Profesional de Panamá, links=no), currently known as Probeis, is a professional baseball winter league consisting of three teams based in Panama. Since 2019, the league's winner takes p ...
, and again in Cuba during the 1955–1956 season while playing for the
Leones de la Habana / Reds.
Jacobs also had the game-winning Cuban championship walk-off hit in 1952–1953 for the
Azules de Almandares managed by
Bobby Bragan
Robert Randall Bragan (October 30, 1917 – January 21, 2010) was an American shortstop, catcher, manager, and coach in Major League Baseball and an influential minor league executive. His professional baseball career encompassed 73 years, from hi ...
. Because of Jacobs' exploits he was honored by being elected into the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame and the Cuban Sports Hall of Fame. To date the only American to receive both prestigious honors.
Major League Baseball
Jacobs posted a .247 average and a .971 fielding percentage in his major league career. He stole 22 bases, 17 of them in 1954. His build reminded some of
Nellie Fox
Jacob Nelson “Nellie” Fox (December 25, 1927 – December 1, 1975) was an American professional baseball player. Fox was one of the best second basemen of all time, and the third-most difficult hitter to strike out in Major League Baseball (M ...
.
[
On April 13, 1954, in his opening day major league debut, he became the only player in major league history to collect four consecutive hits in his first four major league at bats. He is also one of only three players in major league history to go 4-for-4 in their major league debut, the others being ]Delino DeShields
Delino Lamont DeShields (born January 15, 1969), also nicknamed "Bop", is an American former professional baseball second baseman and current first base coach for the Cincinnati Reds. He played for 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for ...
and Willie McCovey
Willie Lee McCovey (January 10, 1938 – October 31, 2018), nicknamed "Stretch", "Mac" and "Willie Mac", was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman from 1959 to 1980, most notably as a mem ...
.["Spook Jacobs Stats"]
pg. 1.
Jacobs was a '' slap hitter'' who reached base by batting balls through the infield, and gained his ghostly nickname from his tendency to dump hits just over the heads of opposing infielders. A baseball writer gave Jacobs the nickname in 1947 when he was playing with the Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 18,411 as of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. Located east of Pittsburgh, Johnstown is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropol ...
club, the Johnnies, of the Middle Atlantic League
The Middle Atlantic League (or Mid-Atlantic League) was a lower-level circuit in American minor league baseball that played during the second quarter of the 20th century.
History
The Middle Atlantic League played from 1925 through 1951, with t ...
. Casey Stengel
Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel (; July 30, 1890 – September 29, 1975) was an American Major League Baseball right fielder and manager, best known as the manager of the championship New York Yankees of the 1950s and later, the expansion New York ...
once said of him, "He's always been in our hair."[
Jacobs was a farmhand of the Brooklyn Dodgers for eight years before becoming the property of the Philadelphia Athletics by being drafted in the winter of 1953 by ]Connie Mack
Cornelius McGillicuddy (December 22, 1862 – February 8, 1956), better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball catcher, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds untoucha ...
. The Dodgers had vast minor league holdings in 1954, and loaded a number of their prospects on the roster of a single club. Under the rules of the time, only one selected player could be lost to a team per draft period. Jacobs was never called up to the Dodgers' top farm club, the Canadian Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team in Montreal, Quebec, during 1897–1917 and 1928–1960. A member of the International League, the Royals were the top farm club (Class AAA) of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1939; pi ...
, because of their surplus of players. On one occasion, he was passed over when Brooklyn picked Junior Gilliam
James William "Junior" Gilliam (October 17, 1928 – October 8, 1978) was an American second baseman, third baseman, and coach (baseball), coach in Negro league baseball, Negro league and Major League Baseball who spent his entire major league car ...
. Clyde Sukeforth
Clyde Leroy Sukeforth (November 30, 1901 – September 3, 2000), nicknamed "Sukey", was an American professional baseball catcher, coach, scout and manager. He was best known for signing the first black player in the modern era of Major League Ba ...
hinted that the Pittsburgh Pirates might have an interest in drafting Jacobs, but the team chose Danny Lynch instead. Nevertheless, Philadelphia manager Eddie Joost
Edwin David Joost (June 5, 1916April 12, 2011) was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball for all or portions of 17 seasons between 1936 and 1955. In , Joost became the third and la ...
was particularly impressed by Jacobs' fielding and his hit-and-run
In traffic laws, a hit and run or a hit-and-run is the act of causing a traffic collision and not stopping afterwards. It is considered a supplemental crime in most jurisdictions.
Additional obligation
In many jurisdictions, there may be an ...
capability.
On April 20, 1954, Jacobs' fourth-inning triple, followed by an error on a fly ball hit by Vic Power
Victor Felipe Pellot (November 1, 1927November 29, 2005), also known professionally as Vic Power, was a Puerto Ricans, Puerto Rican professional baseball first baseman. He played twelve seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athl ...
, gave Philadelphia a 5–0 lead over the Washington Senators. On May 3 of that season, Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...
right-hander Sandalio Consuegra, retired the first 19 Athletics' hitters before Jacobs doubled in the seventh inning with one out. Consuegra retired the next five hitters before getting into trouble in the ninth. Then Jacobs bunted successfully and Consuegra threw wildly into right field, allowing two runs to score. Chicago beat Philadelphia 14–3 at Connie Mack Stadium
Shibe Park, known later as Connie Mack Stadium, was a ballpark located in Philadelphia. It was the home of the Philadelphia Athletics of the American League (AL) and the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League (NL). When it opened April 12, ...
, with Jacobs collecting the only two hits for the losers.
Facts
During 1956 spring training, Jacobs competed with Jim Finigan
James Leroy Finigan (August 19, 1928 – May 16, 1981) was an American professional baseball player and Major League infielder. Primarily a third baseman and second baseman, he played for the Philadelphia / Kansas City Athletics (1954–1956) ...
for the starting second base job for the Kansas City Athletics. By then, Finigan was considered the stronger hitter, and Jacobs the faster runner.[ He was optioned to the ]Hollywood Stars
The Hollywood Stars were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Pacific Coast League during the early- and mid-20th century. They were the arch-rivals of the other Los Angeles-based PCL team, the Los Angeles Angels.
Hollywood Stars (192 ...
of the Pacific Coast League by the Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
on July 4, 1956., but was among 14 players recalled by the Pirates in late September.
He was injured when he collided with teammate shortstop Dick Smith during a Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...
game. Both were chasing a fly ball in a game against the San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...
(April 11, 1957), and Jacobs was thought to have suffered a hairline skull fracture after being carried from the field on a stretcher. He recovered and returned to the Stars' lineup as early as May 7, however.
Jacobs and Tommy Lasorda
Thomas Charles Lasorda (September 22, 1927 – January 7, 2021) was an American professional baseball pitcher and manager. He managed the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1976 through 1996. He was inducted into the Nati ...
were teammates on the 1956 Athletics. While pitching for the Los Angeles Angels (PCL)
The Los Angeles Angels were a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles that played in the "near-major league" Pacific Coast League (PCL) from 1903 through 1957.
The Angels were formed in 1903 as charter members of the PCL. In 1958, they w ...
, Lasorda deliberately hit Jacobs in the fifth inning of an August 1957 game at Gilmore Field
Gilmore Field was a minor league baseball park in Los Angeles, California, that served as home to the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League from 1939–57 when they, along with their intra-city rivals, the Los Angeles Angels, were displac ...
. The knockdown came after relief pitcher Fred Waters
Fred Warren Waters (February 2, 1927 – August 28, 1989) was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and coach. The left-handed pitcher appeared in 25 Major League games for the – 56 Pittsburgh Pirates. Born in Benton, ...
hit a 400-foot home run which broke a 4–4 tie. Jacobs charged Lasorda and then went after his rival second baseman, Sparky Anderson
George Lee "Sparky" Anderson (February 22, 1934 – November 4, 2010) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) player, coach, and manager. He managed the National League's Cincinnati Reds to the 1975 and 1976 championships, then added a third t ...
. Finally, Jacobs' Hollywood Stars went on to score seven runs in the fifth inning to gain an 11–4 win.
Jacobs also was involved in a fracas while playing for the Columbus Jets
The Columbus Jets were a Minor League baseball team that played in Columbus, Ohio, from 1955 to 1970. The team moved from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where they were known as the Ottawa Athletics. The Jets were a member of the Triple-A (baseball), Tr ...
in July 1955. In the fourth inning of an International League
The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball ...
game, Lou Limmer
Louis Limmer (March 10, 1925 – April 1, 2007) was a Major League Baseball player in 1951 and 1954 for the Philadelphia Athletics.
Limmer was born in the Bronx, New York, and was Jewish. He graduated from Manhattan High School of Aviation in ...
of the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...
slid into him at second base, knocking him head over heels. He was chased when he threw a punch at him in retaliation. A sore arm led to his demotion to Columbus, but when his arm recovered Jacobs was selected as the outstanding International League second baseman for 1955, batting .316.["Two A's Battling At Second", Mansfield, Ohio ''News Journal'', April 3, 1956, pg. 9.]
Later life
After his baseball career ended, Jacobs and his wife Bobbie settled in Milford, Delaware
Milford is a city in Kent and Sussex counties in the U.S. state of Delaware. According to the 2020 census, the population of the city is 11,190 people and 4,356 households in the city.
The Kent County portion of Milford is part of the Dover, DE ...
, where they owned and operated the Milford Bus Center, then Mr. Donut/Donut Connection, over a span of 42 years before retiring.["Old Brawlers", ''Los Angeles Times'', May 27, 1977, pg. E3.]
The Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame
The Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame is a membership-based organization founded in 1976. The organization runs a museum with exhibits at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware and promotes physical fitness in ...
enshrined Jacobs in 1991. He also became a member of seven Sports Hall of Fames: Delaware Baseball, Columbus, Ohio Baseball, Eastern Shore Baseball, South Jersey, Salem County, New Jersey, and the aforementioned Cuban Baseball and Cuban Sports.[
Other of his proudest achievements was when his personal stamp collection titled ''Mail It Home'' was featured in 2008 at the ]Baseball Hall of Fame
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests. It serves as the central point of the history of baseball in the United States and displays baseball-r ...
in Cooperstown, New York
Cooperstown is a village in and county seat of Otsego County, New York, United States. Most of the village lies within the town of Otsego, but some of the eastern part is in the town of Middlefield. Located at the foot of Otsego Lake in the C ...
.[
Jacobs died at the Delaware Hospice Center in Kent County, Milford, Delaware, on February 18, 2011, at the age of 85. He is buried at the Milford, Community Cemetery.][
]
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jacobs, Spook
1925 births
2011 deaths
United States Army personnel of World War II
Asheville Tourists players
Baseball players from Delaware
Chattanooga Lookouts managers
Chattanooga Lookouts players
Columbus Jets players
Fort Worth Cats players
Hollywood Stars players
Johnstown Johnnies players
Kansas City Athletics players
Major League Baseball second basemen
Mobile Bears players
People from Milford, Delaware
Philadelphia Athletics players
Pittsburgh Pirates players
Salem High School (New Jersey) alumni
St. Paul Saints (AA) players
Thomasville Dodgers players
People from Kent County, Delaware
United States Army soldiers
American expatriate baseball players in Cuba
Habana players
American expatriate baseball players in Panama
21st-century African-American people