Bill Jennings Dies at 85

William L. “Bill” Jennings was born on September 28, 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Southwest High School and Washington University in St. Louis and served with the Merchant Marine during World War II.

Jennings, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound shortstop, signed with the New York Giants organization in 1946 and joined the Trenton Giants of the Class B Interstate League his rookie year. In 35 games he batted .310.

Back with Trenton in 1947, Jennings played 137 games and batted .277 with 18 triples and nine home runs. Aged 22, he joined the Jersey City Giants of the Class AAA International League in 1948 and batted .250 in 152 games.

He was with the Minneapolis Millers of the Class AAA American Association for 1949 and 1950, batting .285 both years and hit 23 home runs the latter season. Jennings started the 1951 season with the Oakland Oaks but was purchased by the St. Louis Browns on July 16. Three days later he made his major league debut with the Browns against the Washington Senators getting a hit in four at-bats and driving in two runs. He played 64 games over the season and batted .179.

The 26-year-old played for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League in 1952 but batted just .201 in 118 games and ended his playing career the following season with Toronto and the Charleston Senators of the American Association.

After baseball, Bill Jennings worked as a milk man from Bailey Farms Dairy. He passed away on October 20, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was 85 years old and is being buried at National Cemetery in St. Louis tomorrow.