Odell Jones had a short but notable career in Negro League baseball that has made some of his vintage cards quite collectible today. While he only played professionally from 1943-1947, the legacy of his play still lives on through the baseball cards produced during his playing days.
Jones was born in Jackson, Mississippi in 1921. He grew up loving the game of baseball and had the athletic talent and skill to take his abilities to the next level. Unfortunately, due to the racial segregation that existed in professional baseball at the time, Jones’ only route to turning pro was to join one of the Negro Leagues that formed in the early 20th century to provide opportunities for Black ballplayers.
In 1943, Jones signed his first contract with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League. Standing at just 5’8″ and weighing around 150 pounds, Jones was not the biggest player on the field. He more than made up for his lack of size with incredible speed and batting ability. In his first season with the Black Barons, Jones batted .327 and established himself as one of the top leadoff hitters and center fielders in the league.
His impressive rookie campaign opened the eyes of collectors and card manufacturers. In 1944, several sets featured Odell Jones’ rookie card, most notably the 1944-1945 Harlem Globetrotters Roll of Renown set published by Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. This set included 20 players from the Negro Leagues and Mexican League and is one of the key early issues to feature Black baseball talent. Jones’ sharp smiling photo and stats on his homemade uniform helped expose his talents to a growing collector audience.
Jones continued his success with the Black Barons over the next few years. In 1945, he upped his batting average to .349 and stole 29 bases while continuing to provide strong defense in center field. This helped him earn Second Team All-Star honors for the Negro American League that season. His excellent play drew the attention of another league, and in 1946 Jones was signed by the Cleveland Buckeyes of the Negro National League.
With the Buckeyes, Jones won the Negro National League batting title with a monster .383 average in just 78 games. He also led the league in hits with 107 and runs scored with 76 while maintaining his reputation as one of the top speedsters in Black baseball. His prolific accomplishments earned him First Team All-Star honors and further cemented his place among the true stars of the Negro Leagues at that time.
Jones’ prolific 1946 campaign led to increased attention from card manufacturers. His solo portrait was featured in two premium cigarette sets – the 1946-47 All American Soap Flakes set and the 1947 Tip Top Bakers set published by Tip Cigarettes. These grayscale photo cards spotlighting Jones in his Cleveland uniform are key pieces for any serious Negro League collector today.
Perhaps Jones’ most iconic card appearance came in 1947 when he was included alongside Jackie Robinson in the 1947 Leaf Trading Card Baseball Fotos set. This marked one of the earliest times Jones and Robinson, who would go on to break the MLB color barrier later that year, appeared together in a set chronicling the top Black baseball talent of the time. The pairing and prominent solo shots of each player in their iconic Leaf card design helped expose their talents to a growing national sports collecting audience.
Sadly, the 1947 season was the last for Odell Jones’ playing career. At just age 26, Jones shocked many by announcing his sudden retirement from baseball. Some speculated it may have been due to struggles with an old leg injury that had nagged him or difficulties adjusting to the racism and exploitation some Negro Leaguers faced. Regardless of the reason, Jones’ decision to step away meant collectors would not see any new playing cards issued of him going forward.
In his short five season career, Odell Jones compiled a robust .335 career batting average and established himself as one of the premier leadoff hitters and center fielders of his era in Black baseball. His accomplishments attracted the attention of early card manufacturers who recognized the collectible potential in featuring Negro League stars. Today, Jones’ small collection of vintage playing cards remain highly coveted by collectors seeking to celebrate and showcase the forgotten legends from this important era in baseball history.
While conditioning and injury issues prevented Jones from potentially receiving the same major league shot that contemporaries like Jackie Robinson took, his contributions to Black ball and place in baseball card history as one of the first Negro Leaguers prominently featured helps secure his legacy. Over 70 years later, Odell Jones’ cards continue to excite collectors and serve as a reminder of the untold talent that existed outside of the MLB due to the racial barriers that once existed in America’s pastime.
