WILLIE "Puddin Head" JONES used this bat in an August 1955 series between the Phillies and the Cardinals at Busch Stadium in which the men from the City of Brotherly Love swept all three games from St. Louis. "Puddin' Head" contributed three hits in the second game -  including a homer and three RBIs.

ALWAYS A SOLID offensive player, the two-time all-star and member of the 1950 pennant winning "Whiz Kids" was generally heralded as the premier third-sacker of the era. Jones consistently lead regular third-basemen in fielding percentage and ended his career with a phenomenal .968 FP. (Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson had a life-time .971 FP).

WILLIE "Puddin Head" JONES

ALL-STAR: 1950, 1951

Jones was clutch, long-ball hitter for 1950 "Whiz Kids"

Puddin' Head was the top fielding third baseman in the majors during the '50s

MAJOR LEAGUE ALL-STAR

PUDDIN' HEAD JONES' career high 25 home runs, 88 RBIs and 100 runs - along with 28 doubles and six triples - played a key role in the "Whiz Kids'" pennant-winning season in 1950.

PUDDIN' HEAD JONES WEB LINKS

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Willie "Puddin' Head" Jones began his Major League career on September 10, 1947 with the Philadelphia Phillies at age 22.

Willie played for 15 seasons with the Phillies, Indians and Reds – and ended his big league playing career in 1961.

Signed off the sandlots of South Carolina, the 6'2" 205-pound Jones became the Phillies' regular at third base in 1949 and remained there for a decade. A clutch, long-ball hitter, "Puddin' Head" was the top fielding third baseman during the 1950s.

With the Phillies he hit over 20 doubles six times and had more than 10 home runs nine times – while setting a record for the most straight seasons leading National League third basemen in fielding percentage from 1953-1958. He lead the National League seven seasons in put-outs, and twice in assists and double plays during his 12 full years in the majors.

Whether it was his fun-sounding nickname that he picked up from the 1930s song – "Wooden Head, Puddin' Head Jones" - or his dramatic game-winning hitting, he was a popular player with baseball's young fans. In 1949, his first full big-league season, Jones lined four doubles in one game against the Boston Braves - and later in the season powered a homer and a triple in the same inning.

He was an all-star selection in 1950 when he was capturing the attention of the nation's fans with game-winning homers, including a three-run, ninth-inning blast that beat Brooklyn and helped propel Philadelphia's "Whiz Kids" to the World Series.

DURING HIS 15-year career in the majors, Jones was a popular player with baseball's young fans.

PUDDIN' HEAD JONES: Did you know...

...Jones was the National League all-star third baseman in 1950 and 1951.

...Jones was signed before the 1947 season by the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent.

...Jones was traded in June 1959 by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Cleveland Indians for Jim Bolger and cash.

...Jones was purchased in July 1959 by the Cincinnati Redlegs from the Cleveland Indians.

...Jones was released by the Cincinnati Reds in May 1961.

...Jones' six career Philly grand slams ties him for second behind Mike Schmidt.

...Jones was born August 16, 1925 in Dillon, South Carolina. He died October 18, 1983 in Cincinnati, Ohio at age 58.

PUDDIN' HEAD JONES stands in Philadelphia's all-time top 10 in six offensive categories.