Smead Jolley
A character of legendary proportions, Smead Jolley would do anything for a laugh or to win a bet. After a stellar batting career in the Pacific Coast League, Jolley was purchased by the White Sox in 1930 and showed good power while hitting well over .300. But his defensive play was outlandish at times. One story (which cannot be verified but has been retold many times) says that left fielder Jolley let a hard hit ball go through his legs, only to see it bounce off the outfield wall and careen through his legs once again. At the height of his popularity, Smead had his own fan club: "The Jolley Boosters."
Played For
Chicago White Sox (1930-1932)
Boston Red Sox (1932-1933)
Born
Smead Powell Jolley was born on January 14, 1902, in Wesson, AR.
Died
November 17, 1991, Alameda, CA
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: CHA
Major League Debut
April 17, 1930
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1930
Luke Appling
Joe Kuhel
Pinky Higgins
Ben Chapman
Hank Greenberg
Lon Warneke
Tommy Bridges
Lefty Gomez
Dizzy Dean
Nicknames
Guinea, Smudge
One day, teammate Ted Lyons came upon Jolley eating an entire guinea hen, and the unusual nickname was born.
Hitting Streaks
20 games (1932)
Learn More about Smead Jolley
Search Amazon.com for Books about Smead Jolley ⇒
Search for Smead Jolley at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
