On 8.20.1909 the old St. Louis Browns traded first baseman Tom Jones to the Detroit Tigers for first baseman Claude Rossman

 1909 Baseball Card Piedmont White Borders 206 Tom Jones

Setting the Stage:

The 'dead ball era' when the play was focused in the infield was rough and tumble. Spikes went flying and first baseman had to be fast and agile. Keep in mind - most baseball players while fielding played with no gloves or gloves with very little padding.

During the decades of the 1900s and 1910s the Detroit Tigers led by Hall of Fame baseball players Ty Cobb and San Crawford were the power in the newly established American League, and left-handed Claude Rossman was the Tigers starting first baseman. Meanwhile, Tom Jones, an exceptional fielding first baseman, played on the St. Louis Browns, generally with the worst record in the league. 

Claude Rossman, born in Philmont, NY, debuted in the majors with the Cleveland Indians in 1904, and became the club's starting first baseman in 1906, hitting .308 with 16 extra base hits. Claude Rossman signed with the Tigers after a offer of a much higher salary came his way. His all-around play helped Detroit win the American League pennant in 1908. In that year's World Series, Claude Rossman lined 4 hits in 19 at bats, scored 3 runs and had 3 RBIs. However the Cubs defeated Detroit 4 games to 1. (This was to be the last World Series which the Cubs won in the entire 1900s). In losing the 1908 World Series, the Detroit fielders made 10 errors, including 2 each by Ty Cobb and Claude Rossman, the Cubs made 5, including 3 by first baseman Frank Chance.

Then next year on September 20 1909 the Tigers were battling Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics for the AL pennant. And, out of the blue, Claude Rossman, who was hitting a career-low .258 was traded to the St. Louis Browns for Tom Jones, who was batting almost the same as Rossman, .259. When he went to Detroit Tom Jones, who now played on a better hitting team, raised his season average almost 25 points.

Tom Jones, born in Honesdale, PA, played a year with the old Baltimore Orioles in 1902 before being released. He returned to the major leagues by signing a contract with the St Louis Browns in 1904 and stayed with the team over 5 1/2 seasons prior to this trade. A career .255 hitter, Tom Jones was an excellent base runner, stealing 135 career bases in 8 years. He too, like Claude Rossman, helped the Tigers win the 1909 AL pennant. In the 1909 World Series, Tom Jones batted .250 with 6 hits in 24 at bats, scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs, and made one of the Tigers 16 errors in a Series which the Pirates defeated the Tigers in 7 games. Tom Jones made one error in the World Series

By the way 1909 was the last season for Claude Rossman, who really did not like the idea of playing in St. Louis. Tom Jones played one more year in Detroit (1910) then was sold to Milwaukee of the American Association, a former major league.

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Dead Ball Era Baseball History

To enlarge, Click on Gold Borders (T205) baseball card

By the way 1909 was the last season for Claude Rossman, who really did not like the idea of playing in St. Louis. Tom Jones played one more year in Detroit (1910) then was sold to Milwaukee of the AAA. Baseball Players

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