Jack Mealey
Encyclopedia
Maurice F. "Jack" Mealey (born April 28, 1899, in Glen Carbon, Pennsylvania
, USA) was a long-time minor league baseball catcher, who also managed in the minor leagues and served as president of the Sooner State League
for five years.
and Joplin Miners
, hitting a combined .248 in 73 games. In 1923, he played for Okmulgee again, upping his batting average to .264 in 70 games. From 1924 to 1926, he played for the Asheville Tourists
, hitting .276 in 99 games in 1924, .304 with a career high 13 home runs in 103 games in 1925 and .258 with 10 home runs in 113 games in 1926. Back with Okmulgee in 1927, he hit .337 with 10 home runs in 111 games.
He split 1928 between the Independence Producers
and Dallas Steers, hitting .269 in 65 games overall, and garnering a tryout with the White Sox in the fall. With the Steers again in 1929, he hit only .239 in 72 games, but according to The Pittsburgh Press he "had a lot to do with that club's winning the Texas League pennant", and had a .983 fielding percentage
. In 1930, Mealey played for the Wichita Aviators
, hitting .279 in 84 games, earning a spot on the Western League
All-Star team. The Pittsburgh Press described him in 1931 as a "Western League luminary", who had "earned a high reputation in the Western League for his cleverness and cool-headedness.... it is in gauging just what is best for his battery partner that Mealey shines."
Mealey made it to the Major Leagues in 1931 with the Pittsburgh Pirates
, but did not officially play in any games for almost two months. On June 13, Mealey was released by the Pirates. He played the rest of the season with the San Francisco Seals, hitting .242. With the San Antonio Indians
in 1932, Mealey hit .246 in 84 games.
From 1933 to 1936 he played for the Galveston Buccaneers
and later became a player-manager in 1935. From 1933 to 1934 he served as assistant to the previous coach, Billy Webb. He hit only .218 in 1933. In 1934, he upped his batting average to .233, and in 1935 he raised it again to .281.
Mealey resigned from his position as manager on after being suspended for a melee on May 29, 1936, where Mealey tried to help teammate Jack Jakucki fight several fans in the stands. Mealey finished the 1936 season with the Tulsa Oilers
, hitting a combined .270 in 56 games that season. He played for the Jackson Senators
and Augusta Tigers
in 1937, hitting a combined .270 in 87 games. With the Oilers again in 1938, he hit only .173 in 33 games.
He didn't play professionally in 1939, although he played from 1940 to 1942 for the Muskogee Reds
. In 1940, he hit .228 in 80 games, in 1941 he hit .268 in 76 games, and in 1942 he hit .299 in 31 games. He retired from professional baseball after 1942, at age 43.
Overall, Mealey spent 20 seasons in the minors, hitting .263 in 1,538 games. In 4,857 at-bats, he collected 1,279 hits – 263 of which were doubles, 52 of which were triples and 77 of which were home runs.
Glen Carbon, Pennsylvania
Glen Carbon is a populated place in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. At latitude 40.715 and longitude -76.311, it has an elevation of 1,148 feet.-Notable residents:...
, USA) was a long-time minor league baseball catcher, who also managed in the minor leagues and served as president of the Sooner State League
Sooner State League
The Sooner State League was a minor league baseball league that operated from 1947 through 1957. The league owners kept it alive in 1958, anticipating a return to play in 1959. However, when only Ardmore and Paris, Texas, were able to secure working agreements, the League folded on February 12,...
for five years.
Playing career
Mealey began his professional career in 1922, playing for the Okmulgee DrillersOkmulgee Drillers
The Okmulgee Drillers were a minor league baseball team that played in the Western Association from 1920 to 1927. They were based in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. In 1922, they played at Athletic Park, and from 1923 to 1927, they played at Petrolia Park....
and Joplin Miners
Joplin Miners
The Joplin Miners were a baseball team that lasted on and off from 1902 to 1953. They played in Joplin, Missouri. Initially, the team was known as the Colts before changing to Miners during the first season of play....
, hitting a combined .248 in 73 games. In 1923, he played for Okmulgee again, upping his batting average to .264 in 70 games. From 1924 to 1926, he played for the Asheville Tourists
Asheville Tourists
The Asheville Tourists are a minor league baseball team based in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. They play in the Class A South Atlantic League and have been a farm team of the Colorado Rockies since 1994....
, hitting .276 in 99 games in 1924, .304 with a career high 13 home runs in 103 games in 1925 and .258 with 10 home runs in 113 games in 1926. Back with Okmulgee in 1927, he hit .337 with 10 home runs in 111 games.
He split 1928 between the Independence Producers
Independence Producers
The Independence Producers were a minor league baseball team based in Independence, Kansas, USA that played from 1921 to 1925 and from 1928 to 1932. From 1921 to 1924, they played in the Southwestern League, and in 1925 they played in the Western Association. They played in the Western Association...
and Dallas Steers, hitting .269 in 65 games overall, and garnering a tryout with the White Sox in the fall. With the Steers again in 1929, he hit only .239 in 72 games, but according to The Pittsburgh Press he "had a lot to do with that club's winning the Texas League pennant", and had a .983 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
. In 1930, Mealey played for the Wichita Aviators
Wichita Aviators (baseball)
The Wichita Aviators were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1929 to 1932. Based in Wichita, Kansas, they played in the Western League. In 1930 and 1931, they were affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and in 1932 they were affiliated with the Chicago Cubs...
, hitting .279 in 84 games, earning a spot on the Western League
Western League (defunct minor league)
The Western League is a name given to several circuits in American minor league baseball. Its earliest progenitor, which existed from 1885 to 1899, was the predecessor of the American League...
All-Star team. The Pittsburgh Press described him in 1931 as a "Western League luminary", who had "earned a high reputation in the Western League for his cleverness and cool-headedness.... it is in gauging just what is best for his battery partner that Mealey shines."
Mealey made it to the Major Leagues in 1931 with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, but did not officially play in any games for almost two months. On June 13, Mealey was released by the Pirates. He played the rest of the season with the San Francisco Seals, hitting .242. With the San Antonio Indians
San Antonio Indians
The San Antonio Indians were a Texas League baseball team based in San Antonio, Texas that played from 1929 to 1932. They played their home games at League Park. Notable players include Ray Grimes, Wilbur Cooper, Sam Leslie, Jack Mealey, Jo-Jo Moore, and Pinky Higgins.....
in 1932, Mealey hit .246 in 84 games.
From 1933 to 1936 he played for the Galveston Buccaneers
Galveston Buccaneers
The Galveston Buccaneers were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1931 to 1937. Based in Galveston, Texas, USA, they played in the Texas League. Their home ballpark was Moody Stadium. Notable players include Del Pratt, Beau Bell, Wally Moses and Harry Brecheen...
and later became a player-manager in 1935. From 1933 to 1934 he served as assistant to the previous coach, Billy Webb. He hit only .218 in 1933. In 1934, he upped his batting average to .233, and in 1935 he raised it again to .281.
Mealey resigned from his position as manager on after being suspended for a melee on May 29, 1936, where Mealey tried to help teammate Jack Jakucki fight several fans in the stands. Mealey finished the 1936 season with the Tulsa Oilers
Tulsa Oilers (baseball)
The Tulsa Oilers, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, were a minor league baseball team that existed on-and-off in multiple leagues from 1905 to 1976. For most of their history, they played at Oiler Park, which opened on July 11, 1934, and was located on the Tulsa County Fairgrounds at 15th Street and...
, hitting a combined .270 in 56 games that season. He played for the Jackson Senators
Jackson Senators
The Jackson Senators was the name of at least two minor league baseball teams that played in Jackson, Mississippi.-First team:The first known Jackson Senators club competed in the Cotton States League before 1953...
and Augusta Tigers
Augusta Tigers
The Augusta Tigers were a minor league baseball team that existed on-and-off from 1936 to 1958. Based in Augusta, Georgia, they played in the South Atlantic League from 1936 to 1942, from 1946 to 1952 and from 1955 to 1958. They were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers in 1936, from 1941 to 1942 and...
in 1937, hitting a combined .270 in 87 games. With the Oilers again in 1938, he hit only .173 in 33 games.
He didn't play professionally in 1939, although he played from 1940 to 1942 for the Muskogee Reds
Muskogee Reds
Muskogee Reds refers to three teams based in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA. The first team played in the Missouri Valley League in 1905. The next played in the Western Association in 1917, and the third played in the Western Association from 1937 to 1942, and from 1946 to 1950...
. In 1940, he hit .228 in 80 games, in 1941 he hit .268 in 76 games, and in 1942 he hit .299 in 31 games. He retired from professional baseball after 1942, at age 43.
Overall, Mealey spent 20 seasons in the minors, hitting .263 in 1,538 games. In 4,857 at-bats, he collected 1,279 hits – 263 of which were doubles, 52 of which were triples and 77 of which were home runs.
Year-by-Year Managerial Record
(from Baseball Reference Bullpen)| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Galveston Buccaneers Galveston Buccaneers The Galveston Buccaneers were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1931 to 1937. Based in Galveston, Texas, USA, they played in the Texas League. Their home ballpark was Moody Stadium. Notable players include Del Pratt, Beau Bell, Wally Moses and Harry Brecheen... |
Texas League Texas League The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892... |
86–75 | 3rd | none | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1936 | Galveston Buccaneers Galveston Buccaneers The Galveston Buccaneers were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1931 to 1937. Based in Galveston, Texas, USA, they played in the Texas League. Their home ballpark was Moody Stadium. Notable players include Del Pratt, Beau Bell, Wally Moses and Harry Brecheen... |
Texas League Texas League The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892... |
15–27 | – | none | – | replaced by Jake Atz Jake Atz John Jacob Atz, born Jacob Henry Atz was an American second baseman for the Washington Senators and Chicago White Sox in Major League Baseball. He also was the most successful minor league managers of the 1920s, winning all or parts of the Texas League championship in seven consecutive seasons ... (42–69) May 29 |
| 1937 | Augusta Tigers Augusta Tigers The Augusta Tigers were a minor league baseball team that existed on-and-off from 1936 to 1958. Based in Augusta, Georgia, they played in the South Atlantic League from 1936 to 1942, from 1946 to 1952 and from 1955 to 1958. They were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers in 1936, from 1941 to 1942 and... |
South Atlantic League South Atlantic League The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States... |
– | New York Yankees New York Yankees The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division... |
– | replaced by Troy Agnew Troy Agnew Troy Pipkin Agnew was a minor league baseball catcher and manager. His brother is Sam Agnew.-Playing career:... |
|
| Jackson Senators Jackson Senators The Jackson Senators was the name of at least two minor league baseball teams that played in Jackson, Mississippi.-First team:The first known Jackson Senators club competed in the Cotton States League before 1953... |
Southeastern League Southeastern League The Southeastern League was the name of three baseball circuits in minor league baseball league which operated in the Southeastern and South Central United States... |
4th | New York Yankees New York Yankees The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division... |
Lost in 1st round | replaced Ike Boone Ike Boone Isaac Morgan Boone was a right fielder in Major League Baseball. Boone batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was born in Samantha, Alabama... |
||
| 1940 | Muskogee Reds Muskogee Reds Muskogee Reds refers to three teams based in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA. The first team played in the Missouri Valley League in 1905. The next played in the Western Association in 1917, and the third played in the Western Association from 1937 to 1942, and from 1946 to 1950... |
Western Association Western Association The Western Association was the name of five different leagues in American minor league baseball during the 19th and 20th centuries.The oldest league, originally established as the Northwestern League in 1883, was refounded as the Western Association on October 28, 1887... |
90–49 | 1st | none | Lost in 1st round | |
| 1941 | Muskogee Reds Muskogee Reds Muskogee Reds refers to three teams based in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA. The first team played in the Missouri Valley League in 1905. The next played in the Western Association in 1917, and the third played in the Western Association from 1937 to 1942, and from 1946 to 1950... |
Western Association Western Association The Western Association was the name of five different leagues in American minor league baseball during the 19th and 20th centuries.The oldest league, originally established as the Northwestern League in 1883, was refounded as the Western Association on October 28, 1887... |
64–69 | 5th | Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... |
||
| 1942 | Muskogee Reds Muskogee Reds Muskogee Reds refers to three teams based in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA. The first team played in the Missouri Valley League in 1905. The next played in the Western Association in 1917, and the third played in the Western Association from 1937 to 1942, and from 1946 to 1950... |
Western Association Western Association The Western Association was the name of five different leagues in American minor league baseball during the 19th and 20th centuries.The oldest league, originally established as the Northwestern League in 1883, was refounded as the Western Association on October 28, 1887... |
76–58 | 2nd | none |