JESSE BROADWAY JONES, PHILLIES PITCHER 1923.

DEATH OF JESSE 'BROADWAY' JONES AT LEWES

FIREBALL PHILLIES PITCHER 1923

In 1923, the “Golden Age of Sprots” a Sussex county right handed baseball pitcher made it to

the big leagues. He was fast, a bit wild, on the field and off. His wife, former Francis Baylis, said

h played bseball for fun, he was more of a playboy, not having to play since his family was well off

and he didn't work at it. He would drink a little, smoke a little more than he should have.

This same year, his father became seriously ill and he was unwilling to accept a demotion to

a Texas League which would take him away from home, Jones dropped out of baseball.

Wednesday, September 7, 1977, at his Lewes Kings Highway home, the colorful fireballing

righthander pass away at age 78, pulling to the last for the success of his beloved Phillies.

Mrs Jones said that last night, the last we were together, he was disgusted with them, yelling, “they have thrown it away. They don't deserve to win this one”. She also told that the year Jones played for the Phillies, he would go up to New York and pitch under another name, Ableman, since Philadelphia did not allow baseball to be played on Sundays.

Jesse Jones also played a few games with the Baltimore Orioles and he and Lefty Grove were

roommates.

Jones got his shot at the big leagues because of a college school mate, Huck Betts, from

Millsboro, a baseball hall of fame member. Betts and jones played baseball at Wesley College in Dover, where they took turns pitching and catching.

After baseball, Jesse Broadway Jones, became a salesman for the Swift Company, in the

meat department and retired in 1964.

Besides his wife, he leaves several nieces and nephews. His service was held by Atkins Funeral Home at St. Peters Episcopal Church and he is buried in Millsboro Cemetery .

Abstract Wilmington News Journal September 8, 1977, article by Bob Leary, abstract by Harrison H.