Sam Jones was the first African American to pitch a no-hitter in Major League Baseball. Though born in Ohio, he grew up in Monongah, Marion County, where his family moved for the coal mining work. He was a star athlete at Fairmont’s Dunbar High and even won the state marble-shooting title in 1937.

Jones started playing baseball in the Army and then joined the Negro Leagues in 1947. He debuted in the majors in 1951 with the Cleveland Indians. In 1952, he and Quincy Trouppe became the first Black pitcher-catcher duo in American League history.

On May 18, 1955, as a Chicago Cub, Jones made history with a no-hitter against the Pirates—striking out the last three batters after walking the bases loaded. He later played for the Cardinals, Giants, Tigers, and Orioles, earning All-Star honors twice and leading the league in strikeouts three times.

After retiring, Jones returned to Monongah, where he opened a car wash. He is buried in Fairmont.