Clayton, Ohio - Sun Dial Grave of Baseball's Jesse Haines

Although right-handed knuckleballer Jesse (Pop) Haines (1893-1978) got into Cooperstown on the Veteran's vote in 1970, he was undeniably a valuable member of the Gas House Gang for the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played from 1920-1937. He was also the winning pitcher in the 1926 World Series deciding game, pitching 6 2/3 innings before his bleeding knuckles forced a hungover Grover "Pete" Alexander into relief to win the game.

Haines was born in the Village of Clayton but lived most of his life in nearby Phillipsburg. He is buried at Bethel Cemetery in Clayton. After Haines retirement from baseball, he was elected county auditor for Montgomery County (county seat, Dayton) for 28 years - seven consecutive terms.

Upon Haines' retirement from the Cardinals, the organization presented him with a simple but beautiful sundial, which was in the yard in his home on State Street in Phillipsburg until a few years before his death. Haines had the sundial placed on his gravestone, where it can still be seen today at Bethel Cemetery.

Haines made his major league debut for the Cincinnati Reds in 1918. He never lived anywhere but Phillipsburg and when the Cards played the Reds in Cincinnati, he would drive home to Phillipsburg. He was devoutly religious and would never allow his wife and daughter to travel in the train car with the players because they might use bad language or play cards. The only time they saw him play on a Sunday was when he was honored on his birthday at the end of his career. He told them, "It's my job to work on Sunday, but you don't have to go to those games."

"Jesse" is always pronounced "Jess" - NEVER "Jessie!"