Robert J. (Bubba) Jones

[dsvitak]

Bubba and Ella Mae continue to live happily in suburban Chicago, in Winnetka.

Bubba had a pool put in for the kids, who are now 8.

The boy has a strong, live arm. Bubba swears his boy is going to college, and will not entertain any ideas to the contrary.

His son has other ideas.

Major Robert J. Jones, USAAF, is now the Executive Officer for the 417th Bombardment Group (Heavy). He is in line for a quick promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, due to his easy manner of command, and due to his competence. He has earned the respect of his troops.

Then Captain Jones requested to be re-rated in the new Boeing bomber, the B-17, back in 1936. His wish was granted, and Robert was trained, and granted his multi-engine rating.

War clouds are gathering for the country, and American allies are dying on battlefields in Europe, and in North Africa.

A bellicose Japanese Empire is deeply involved in fighting the Chinese on the Asian mainland, despite United States threats to stop the Dutch East Indies oil shipments to Japan.

If the Americans stop the oil shipments, the lifesblood to the Japanese industry, then there will be war.

Bubba and Ella Mae have discussed what may happen, in the event that Bubba is recalled to active service. She wants him to resign his commission, and stay at home with the family. Like all happily married couples, they have agreed to disagree upon this issue, and life goes on.

The several hundred acres of land near Orchard Park, northwest of Chicago, is being looked at by a new civil entity, with the intent of being developed into a large airport.

The new airport is to be called O'Hare, and the land that Bubba owns will eventually become the South Terminal.

Bubba and Ella Mae, and their children, will no longer have financial concerns, due to the sale of the land.

[dsvitak]

Editors note: I am not sure how it can happen, but Bubba's avoiding runs went up to 7!

Not bad for a 35 year old! I have never seen this, and am strongly tempted to put it back to a "6"

Bubba is POM for the 3rd time, for April 1941. He went 6-0 for the month, and won his 200th game!

[dsvitak]

I will begin posting his record on a month to month basis, until he retires, or is called to active duty...

[dsvitak]

Bubba had an ok month, going 2-2.

He now has 3.5 stars! This must be as a result of now having 7's for avoiding runs and hits.

Can't complain, the Cubs are in a real dogfight this year.

Randy Vanatta is having a career year, still hitting over .400, and on a pace to set a league record for hits.

[dsvitak]

Chicago Courier 1 June 1941
Sports Extra

News and Notes by Jill Bames

The Cubs continue their fine play, now winning the last 5, and remain just one game back of the Reds.

Manager Sandy Clarkson remains in St. Lukes Hospital, after experiencing chest pains last night, after the game. He remains in satisfactory condition, and is expected to rejoin the club in Detroit.

Chad Kays, a leftfielder from single A Decatur, has given notice to the club, and will likely enlist in the Canadian Army this week. Chad, from Toronto, has two brothers currently serving in the Army, stationed in England.

Robert Jones has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Air Corp, and there is some speculation that his may be his last year with the club. Jones, only 35, is currently 8-2.

[dsvitak]

1 June 1941

Mom and Dad,

Hi there! How are things in Arkansas?

We are doing fine, the kids are growing up so fast. Ella is fine, and likes her new job. The University of Illinois, Chicago is a good school, and they have a good teacher.

I am enouraging her to be able to provide and fend for herself. A little independance is a good thing, especially now.

She isn't too happy with the commute, but the "El" goes right past the school.

The kids are fine, I had to go have a talk with Fredric's teacher last week. Nothing serious, just Fredric not doing his homework.

I have been promoted by the Air Corp. My unit is currently on exercise down in Panama. I wished I could join them. I have been asked to become the Deputy Squadron Commander, and have accepted. Nice not being the junior pilot, I remember all the details and responsibilities involved.

The Colonel and I received a briefing at the War Department, I can't really talk about it much, but it doesn't look good for the United States to stay out of the war.

If I am recalled to active duty, I believe I will sell the house, and have Ella and the kids move back home to be with family. I am under no illusions about the dangers of flying a B-17 into combat.

Well, take care, and Dad, can you start to look around for some property to build on? Don't tell Ella Mae, or her family yet. This is not final.

Robert

[dsvitak]

Bubba,

Hi Bubba! How's it going?

Clarissa and I are fine, and doing very well.

I started up the insurance business, like we discussed. It seems that my name is enough to get my foot in the door, and then all they want to talk about is baseball!

So, that's what I do! The more outrageous the stories, the more insurance they buy! Like the rooftop of the Shoreham hotel, in Washington. Remember that one! Heh. Clarissa would kill me if she found out about THAT!

Listen, the reason I am writing is Henry. He flew to London, and then Paris, trying to find out about his grand parents and uncles. I don't know the whole story, but he is in some trouble now.

Can you call somebody, or maybe find out what is going on? The last address I had was Henry Krebs, C/O the Clarion Hotel, in London.

Thanks Bubba. I don't know what to do, and thought of you.

Keep in touch.

Fredric.

[dsvitak]

Bubba goes 3-2, and the Cubs remain just back of the Reds.

Of a particular import, there is a player for the Detroit Tigers who is hitting .421, on the first of July.

This is in a league, where the league average is about .258

To hit .163 ABOVE the league average is unprecedented. This highest average, in 41 seasons prior to this was .390

I will monitor this closely. The player, Hersom, has a career avg of .344, third highest all time.

Here are Bubba's stats, through 30 June 1941

[dsvitak]

A so-so month for Bubba, who again went 2-2.

The Cubs had a good month, and are in first place by a couple of games.

The Tiger hitter, Hersom, has fallen off to .397

Here are the cumulative 1941 stats for Bubba.

[dsvitak]

A good month for Bubba and the Cubs!

Bubba goes 4-0, and gets his 3000th strikeout.

The Cubs overtake the Reds, and hold a slim 1 game lead.

Hersom from Detroit is back up to .399

Here are the stats up to 30 August for Bubba.

[dsvitak]

Here is Bubba's record to this point in the season.

[dsvitak]

Brutal, just brutal.

Bubba gets shelled like a peanut, going 0-4 on the month.

The Cubs actually do quite well, behind the spectacular pitching of Mike Carney (23-6)

[dsvitak]

18-12, and a wild card birth. Not too bad.

Bubba's ERA went up HUGELY in August and September....almost all the way to his career average.

Here the stats be.

[dsvitak]

After winning the first round of the playoffs, 4-3, the Cubs go on to lose game 7 in the League Championships.

Alas, Bubba Jones lost the game 7, 4-3.

It was the very first game 7 loss in Bubba's history.

On to next year!

[dsvitak]

Here are Bubba's final statistics.

[dsvitak]

Ella Mae, 18 Dec 1942

I don't have long to write, so I will be brief. I can't tell you where my unit is, as it would likely be censored. And rightly so.

I believe my decision to retire was a good one. After the nice start, at 5-1, thinks just went bad to worse for me....and I know that I was taking a place for some of the younger fellas.

I can't complain, I gave it a good ride.

And the War Department couldn't keep refusing me from comin' on active duty! I knowed that they musta got tired of hearin' from me!

I am the Executive officer of the 317th Bombardment Wing, and I was promoted to Light Colonel on the first of this month. Col. Patterson may get an Air Group, and is up for Brigadier. There are so many young men coming into the Air Corp now...you wouldn't believe it.

The B-17D's we have are sweet...they have twin '50's in the ball turret, tail, and top turret, and single '50's for the waist gunners, the Bombadier, Radio Room gunner, and the Nav position.

I suspect we won't have much of a problem with the Messerschmidt's and Folke-Wolfe's.

You can see on the return address the APO number to write me at.

Can you tell the boys at the club that I'm doing all right? Tell 'em that this is what I have to do....and that I believe I would rather fly than throw a two-hitter. Well, maybe not! Tell them the name of my plane is "Cubby Bear!" with a powerful mean looking grizzly on the nose, holding a great big bat in his paw!

Kiss the kids for me. I don't know when I will write again...we are expected to CENSORED CENSORED CENSORED CENSORED CENSORED CENSORED CENSORED so that will take up most of my time.

Take care, tell the kids to write, and give them a hug and kiss from their Dad.

Robert.

[dsvitak]

Robert J. (Bubba) Jones retires with well over 3000 strikeouts, 6th on the all-time list.

He is 12th all time in wins.

He made the all star team 5 times.

Bubba has 3 rings, and his teams won the Pennant many, many times.

Twice Bubba won the seventh game of the World Series.

Bubba was a clutch player, who took the ball every 5th day, and played to win.

Bubba will not be selected for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

He will, however, have his number retired by his beloved Cubs.

Thanks for indulging me in my efforts to bring Bubba to life.

It pleases me greatly when I see others doing more than dryly reciting statistics....baseball is so much more than numbers.

[Stomp]

Short and Sweet,

Thank you very much for this wonderful tale.

[blmeanie]

How long until one of his kids gets drafted?

Thanks for the great storytelling.

[Springtime_for_Hunter]

Barring Blyleven, who ought to be in, every eligible pitcher with 3000 strikeouts is in the real-life Hall. Bubba's best comparison is probably to HOFers Jim Bunning or Bob Gibson. While he's an unusual pitcher, he almost certainly deserves induction.