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Willie Edward "Puddin' Head" Jones (Born August 16, 1925 Dillon SC– Died October 18, 1983 Cincinnati OH), was a third baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies (1947–1959), Cleveland Indians, and Cincinnati Reds. He had fast hands, and possessed great range with a cannon of an arm. Before Mike Schmidt, Jones was considered the best third baseman in Phillies history. Pie Traynor was once asked how he himself compared to Puddin’ Head, Traynor replied: “He’s better than I was.”
“Oh, Puddin’ Head Jones was fat and funny
Dumber than sticks and stones.
Now that is just why the kids all called him,
Wooden head, puddin’ head Jones.”
Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees sang these words in 1933. Legend has it that Willie Edward Jones’s nickname came from the song. Jones was a typical Southern boy with a drawl as slow as molasses. His feet always seemed to hurt.