Jeff Cross
Born: 8/28/1918 in Tulsa, OK, USA
Died: 7/23/1997 in Huntsville, TX, USA
MLB Debut: 1942-09-27 | Final Game: 1948-06-08
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 160 lbs
Full name: Joffre James Cross
Biography
Jeff Cross was a professional baseball player born in 1918, who played primarily as a position player during his career from 1942 until June 8, 1948. He made his mark in a challenging era for Major League Baseball, navigating through the backdrop of World War II, which impacted many players and the overall competitive landscape of the game. Cross appeared in a total of 119 games, during which he recorded 23 hits and drove in 10 runs, finishing his career with a batting average of .162.
Despite not being known for his offensive prowess—evidenced by his lack of home runs and modest RBI totals—Cross contributed to his teams with speed on the bases, accumulating 4 stolen bases throughout his time in the league. His playing style reflected the grit and determination of his time, as he played during an era when many players were serving in the military, and opportunities were limited. Although not a standout statistically, Cross's presence in the game during the early post-war years adds to the rich tapestry of baseball history, highlighting the diverse experiences of players during this transformative period in the sport.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 119 | 142 | 22 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 20 | 18 | 0.162 | 0.265 | 0.190 | 0.456 | -544.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | STL | NL | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.250 | 0.0 |
| 1946 | STL | NL | 49 | 69 | 17 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 0.217 | -161.7 |
| 1947 | STL | NL | 51 | 49 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 0.102 | -382.7 |
| 1948 | CHC | NL | 16 | 20 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.100 | 0.0 |
| 1948 | STL | NL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 11 | 0 | 20 | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| 3B | 16 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
| SS | 41 | 0 | 43 | 81 | 9 | 19 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | SLN | SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1946 | SLN | 2B | 8 | 0 | 16 | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| 1946 | SLN | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1946 | SLN | SS | 17 | 0 | 25 | 40 | 2 | 10 |
| 1947 | SLN | 2B | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 1947 | SLN | 3B | 15 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 1 | 1 |
| 1947 | SLN | SS | 14 | 0 | 15 | 30 | 4 | 9 |
| 1948 | CHN | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1948 | CHN | SS | 9 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 11 |
| Third Base | 16 |
| Shortstop | 41 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oklahoma | Norman | OK | 1938 |