Travis Jackson (1982)
Date of Birth: 11/2/1903
Date of Death: 7/27/1987
Birthplace: Waldo, Arkansas
College: Ouachita Baptist University
Travis Jackson started playing catch with his father when he was only three years old. By the time he was in high school, he was on the school's team. He went on to play baseball in college, while also earning a Bachelor of Science degree.
While still in college, Jackson started his professional baseball career in the minor leagues in 1921, playing for a team in the Southern Association. A year later, at the age of 18, he signed with the New York Giants.
New York Giants
Jackson played in three games with the Giants in 1922. The following season he played in 96 games, batting .275 with 90 hits. In 1924, he had a career high of 180 hits, 26 doubles, 76 RBIs, and a batting average of .302 in a career high 151 games.
Jackson played in only 112 games in 1925, and in 111 games in 1926. He batted .285 with 117 hits in 1925, and .327 with 126 hits the next year. He played in 127 games in 1927, and he batted .318 with 149 hits, 29 doubles, 14 home runs, and 98 RBIs. That year, he led all NL shortstops in double plays with 85.
Jackson had a career high 35 doubles in 1928. He finished the season with 145 hits, 14 home runs, 77 RBIs, and a .270 batting average in 150 games. Defensively, he led the NL in assists with 547.
In 1929, Jackson had a career high 21 home runs. He batted .294 with 162 hits, 21 doubles, and 94 RBIs in 149 games. He again led the NL in assists with 552, and he led all NL shortstops in double plays with 110.
Jackson had one of his best seasons in 1930, when he had a career high batting average of .339. That season he had 146 hits, 27 doubles, and 82 RBIs in 116 games. The next year, he batted .310 with 172 hits, 26 doubles, and 71 RBIs in 145 games.
In 1932, Jackson suffered from influenza and knee problems and he played in just 52 games that year. The next year, he played in only 53 games.
Jackson regained his health in 1934, and he played in 137 games. He had 140 hits, 26 doubles, 16 home runs, a career high 101 RBIs, and a .268 batting average. In 1935, he batted .301 with 154 hits and 80 RBIs in 128 games.
Jackson batted just .230 in 126 games in 1936. He retired as a major league player after that season.
Career Statistics
Statistics for Jackson in 15 seasons (1922-1936) in the major leagues include:
- 4 seasons with over 150 hits, with a high of 180 in 1924
- 6 seasons with a batting average over .300, with a high of .339 in 1930
Career batting statistics for Jackson include:
- 1,656 games played
- 1,768 hits
- 291 doubles
- 929 RBIs
- 565 strikeouts to 412 walks
- .291 batting average
- .337 on-base percentage
- .770 OPS
Career fielding statistics for Jackson at shortstop include:
- 1,326 games played
- 4,636 assists
- 826 double plays
- 2,878 putouts
- 381 errors
- .952 fielding percentage
Postseason statistics for Jackson include:
- 4 postseasons
- 19 games played
- 67 at-bats
- 10 hits
- 1 double
- 1 stolen base
- 4 RBIs
- 10 strikeouts to 3 walks
- .149 batting average
Post Playing Career
In 1937, Jackson was a player-manager in the minor leagues, holding that position for two seasons.
From 1949 through 1960, Jackson was a manager in the minor leagues. His record as a minor league manager was 811 wins to 721 losses.
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Travis Jackson
ESPN - Travis Jackson
Baseball Reference - Travis Jackson