Jack Jenkins – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Warren Washington “Jack” Jenkins is one of those brief but memorable baseball stories from the sport’s golden era. This right-handed pitcher came from Covington, Virginia, and found a unique spot in Major League Baseball during a professional career that stretched from 1962 to 1969.

Jenkins played for the Washington Senators and Los Angeles Dodgers, then retired at just 26 after the 1969 season. His time in the majors was short, but he managed to pack in some fascinating moments that really show how unpredictable pro baseball can be.

He started as a teenager with the Senators. By the end, he was pitching for the Dodgers against Houston. Jenkins’ path through the majors gives a peek into player development, team changes, and the tough choices pitchers faced in one of baseball’s most competitive times.

His story covers early struggles, cross-country moves, and those hard decisions that shape a player’s legacy.

Early Life and Background

Warren Washington Jenkins was born December 22, 1942, in Covington, Virginia. He built up his baseball skills at Valley High School and then at Lincoln Memorial University.

He started his pro baseball journey at 19, signing with the Washington Senators in 1962.

Birth and Family

Jenkins came into the world on December 22, 1942, in Covington, Virginia. Folks called him “Jack” throughout his career.

Covington, a small city in western Virginia, sits in the Alleghany County region. Back in the 1940s, it had a strong industrial vibe and tight-knit community.

He grew up during World War II and those booming post-war years. Jenkins spent his childhood in this mountain town where baseball was a favorite pastime for local kids.

He showed athletic promise early on. His family encouraged his love of sports—especially baseball, which later became his calling.

Education and Amateur Baseball

Jenkins went to Valley High School in Hot Springs, Virginia. There, he first got noticed as a talented pitcher.

After high school, he headed to Lincoln Memorial University. That college gave him a chance to keep sharpening his baseball skills while hitting the books.

During college, Jenkins worked on his pitching and picked up experience against other solid players. Scouts started to take notice of his performances at Lincoln Memorial.

The university helped him grow as both a student and an athlete. That time set him up for the challenges of pro ball.

Path to Professional Baseball

Jenkins started his professional baseball career at just 19. On September 13, 1962, he made his Major League Baseball debut with the Washington Senators.

The Senators saw his potential as a right-handed pitcher and gave him a shot at the big leagues. That signing kicked off his pro journey.

Standing 6’2″ and weighing 195 pounds, Jenkins looked the part on the mound. His right-handed style and improving skills made him an interesting prospect.

Jumping from college ball to the majors was a big leap for Jenkins. Still, he managed to go from small-town Virginia to the pros in just a few years.

Major League Baseball Career

Jack Jenkins pitched in the majors for three seasons over seven years. He finished with 0 wins, 3 losses, and a 4.73 ERA.

He started out with the Washington Senators in 1962 and wrapped up with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1969.

Debut With the Washington Senators

On September 13, 1962, Jenkins broke into the big leagues with the Senators at just 19. The righty from Covington made his first appearance late in the season.

In his rookie year, he pitched in 3 games (starting one). He logged 13.1 innings, struck out 10, and gave up 4 home runs.

Though his ERA was 4.05, Jenkins showed some promise. He even completed a game and kept his walks in check, issuing 7 free passes.

He struck out 6.8 batters per nine innings that year. That kind of strikeout rate hinted he had the stuff to hang in the majors.

Seasons With the Senators

Jenkins came back to the Senators in 1963 at age 20. That second year, though, didn’t go so well—he struggled with control.

He pitched in 4 games (starting two), totaling 12.1 innings. His ERA jumped to 5.84, and he gave up 16 hits with 12 walks.

His strikeouts dropped to just 5 that season. The strikeout-to-walk ratio fell to 0.42, which really showed the command issues.

The Senators let him go after 1963. Over two years in Washington, Jenkins had 0 wins, 3 losses, and pitched 25.2 innings.

Final Season With the Los Angeles Dodgers

After six years out of the majors, Jenkins resurfaced with the Dodgers in 1969. He was 26 when he got another shot at the big leagues.

He pitched in just 1 game for LA, coming out of the bullpen. Jenkins threw a perfect inning—no hits, no walks, and 1 strikeout.

That outing gave him a 0.00 ERA for his last season. It was a sharp contrast to his earlier struggles with the Senators.

The 1969 season marked his last appearance in pro baseball. He retired with 26.2 innings pitched over his three seasons.

Performance and Career Statistics

Jack Jenkins put up modest numbers in his brief MLB career. He finished with a 4.73 ERA in 8 games, 0 wins, and 3 losses.

His career covered parts of three seasons, from 1962 to 1969, and he notched 16 strikeouts between the Senators and Dodgers.

Pitching Statistics and ERA

Jenkins had trouble finding consistency in his limited MLB chances. His career ERA of 4.73 put him above the league average for pitchers back then.

He pitched just 8 games over his three seasons, recording 0 wins and 3 losses.

Jenkins played for two teams during his time in the majors. He started with the Senators in 1962-1963, then joined the Dodgers for a final run in 1969.

His numbers show the challenges young pitchers faced breaking into the majors. The long gap between 1963 and 1969 hints he spent a lot of time in the minors, working on his game.

Strikeouts and Key Metrics

Jenkins finished with 16 strikeouts in his MLB career. That total says more about his short time on the mound than his ability to get whiffs.

His strikeout numbers were pretty modest compared to the top pitchers of his era. With only 8 games pitched, it’s tough to judge his full potential as a strikeout guy.

He last pitched in pro baseball in 1969 with the Dodgers. His career ended at 26, which could point to injury or performance issues that kept him from sticking around longer.

Fielding and Batting

Jenkins focused on pitching, not hitting. Back then, teams didn’t expect much offense from their pitchers.

There aren’t many fielding stats available for Jenkins, probably because his career was so brief. As a pitcher, he wouldn’t have had many defensive chances anyway.

Overall, Jenkins’ stats tell the story of a player who made it to the majors but couldn’t quite stick as a regular. His journey mirrors what a lot of young pitchers faced in pro baseball.

Notable Achievements and Unique Facts

Jack Jenkins made his mark in MLB with his unusual uniform choice and a memorable career that spanned three seasons. His biggest distinction? Wearing a single-digit jersey number as a pitcher, which put him in a pretty exclusive club in baseball history.

Distinctive Jersey Number

Jenkins did something rare for a pitcher—he wore a single-digit number. That set him apart in the sport.

By 2001, only 11 pitchers since 1960 had done the same. Most pitchers go with higher numbers, so Jenkins’ look definitely stood out.

His choice reflected the looser traditions around uniforms in the 1960s. Back then, teams weren’t as strict about numbers as they are today.

Memorable Games

Jenkins made his MLB debut on September 13, 1962, for the Senators at 19. He struck out 10 in 13.1 innings during that first season.

He put up a 4.05 ERA in three games that year. The next season, 1963, was tougher—his ERA jumped to 5.84 over four appearances.

After a six-year break, Jenkins came back to pitch one inning for the Dodgers in 1969. That short outing was his final MLB appearance.

Recognition and Records

Jenkins ended his career with 16 strikeouts in 26.2 innings. His ERA was 4.73 over eight games.

He played for two big-league teams. The Senators gave him his first shot, and the Dodgers were his last stop.

Jenkins’ numbers show how tough it was to break into pro baseball. His three-season run from 1962 to 1969 says a lot about the dedication it took just to compete at that level.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Jack Jenkins wrapped up his MLB career on September 30, 1969, with the Dodgers after seven years in pro baseball. After hanging up his cleats, Jenkins moved on to private life in Florida, where he lived until his death in 2002.

Retirement in 1969

Jenkins played his last MLB game on September 30, 1969, for the Dodgers. He finished after pitching in the majors during two separate stints.

The righty ended up with a 0-3 record and a 4.73 ERA. He struck out 16 and walked 19 in 26⅔ innings during his MLB days.

Jenkins played for the Washington Senators from 1962 to 1963, then returned with the Dodgers in 1969 after time in the minors.

He first debuted on September 13, 1962, at just 19. Jenkins had gone to Lincoln Memorial University before starting his pro career.

Life After Baseball

After baseball, Jenkins settled in Tampa, Florida. He kept a low profile and didn’t seek the spotlight that comes with pro sports.

He spent over 30 years in retirement after leaving baseball. Unlike some former players who go into coaching or broadcasting, Jenkins chose a quieter life.

He lived in Tampa from 1969 until he passed away in 2002. Not much is known about his specific work or activities after baseball.

A lot of players from his era went into business or other careers once they left the game.

Legacy and Remembrance

Jenkins died on June 18, 2002, in Tampa at 59. He lived 33 years after stepping away from pro baseball.

Even though his MLB career was brief, Jenkins played for both the Senators and Dodgers. He was part of the last years of the original Senators franchise.

Career Statistics:

• Teams: Washington Senators (1962-1963), Los Angeles Dodgers (1969)
• Win-Loss Record: 0-3
• ERA: 4.73
• Strikeouts: 16
• Innings Pitched: 26⅔

Jenkins’ story is similar to many players who had shorter MLB careers in the 1960s. He went from a 19-year-old rookie to a retiree at 26, showing just how tough pro baseball could be.

Resources and Further Reading

You can find plenty of info about Jack Jenkins’ short but notable major league career in a few key databases and historical archives. Baseball Almanac offers biographical details and career context. Baseball Reference keeps the most complete statistical records from his time with the Washington Senators and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Baseball Almanac and Historic Records

Baseball Almanac works as a main source for Jack Jenkins’ background and career timeline. It confirms Jenkins was born December 22, 1942, in Covington, Virginia. He made his major league debut at just 19 with the Washington Senators on September 13, 1962.

The almanac gives some much-needed context about Jenkins’ start in pro baseball. It shows he worked as a right-handed pitcher and spent parts of three seasons in the majors.

Historic records place Jenkins during a rough patch for the Washington Senators. The team eventually moved and became the Texas Rangers in 1972, so Jenkins played in the franchise’s final Washington years.

Baseball Reference and Stat Databases

Baseball Reference keeps the most thorough statistical record of Jenkins’ major league run. The database lists his full pitching stats: a 0-3 win-loss record, a 4.73 ERA, and 16 strikeouts over 26⅔ innings.

The site even has detailed game logs from Jenkins’ 1969 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. You can check out his last major league appearance on September 30, 1969, which marked the end of his pro career.

ESPN and StatsCrew.com add more breakdowns and per-game analysis. Both databases confirm Jenkins pitched in eight total major league games for both teams.

Researching Jack Jenkins

When you start looking into Jack Jenkins, you really have to pay attention. Plenty of people share this name, and it’s easy to get the wrong guy.

The baseball player’s full name was Warren Washington Jenkins. That detail makes it a lot easier to tell him apart from other folks with the same name.

If you check out The Baseball Cube, you’ll find minor league stats and extra biographical tidbits. It goes beyond just the major league numbers and gives you a glimpse of how Jenkins moved through the pro baseball world.

You can also dig into academic databases and encyclopedias for more. They’ll tell you, for example, that Jenkins died on June 18, 2002, in Tampa, Florida, at age 59.

These sources let you see more of Jenkins’ story, not just his short stint in the majors.