Researching Jeff Cross

Cross's professional career began in 1938 in the Cardinals' farm system. His first MLB game came on the last day of the National League season. He started at shortstop in the second game of a doubleheader for the World Series-bound Cardinals after they had clinched the league pennant with a victory in the opening game of that day's twin bill. Cross collected one hit in four at bats against the Cubs' Claude Passeau and played errorless ball in the field, as St. Louis won, 4–1, to increase the Redbirds' final margin to two full games ahead of the Brooklyn Dodgers. He then served in the United States Navy during World War II, missing three baseball seasons (1943–1945). Cross then spent all of the and campaigns on the Cardinals' roster, appearing in an even 100 games as a utility infielder, starting 14 games at shortstop, eight at second base, and four at third base. He batted only .217 and .102 respectively, and did not play in the 1946 World Series, won by the Cardinals in seven games over the Boston Red Sox. After two appearances as a pinch runner with the Cardinals in, his contract was sold to the Cubs, for whom he collected only two hits in 20 at bats through June 8. He spent the balance of the year with the Double-A Shreveport Sports before retiring from baseball.

Altogether, Cross was credited with 23 hits (including four doubles) and ten runs batted in in the major leagues, batting .162 lifetime.

After his retirement from professional baseball, Cross managed the Houston Little League team to the 1950 Little League World Series championship.

Cross, a forward/center from Worcester Academy in Massachusetts, played collegiately at the University of Maine where he enjoyed a standout career, scoring 1,337 points (average of 13.4 per game), grabbing 894 rebounds (8.9) and blocking 209 shots (2.1). Cross was named all conference his junior and senior years and was ECAC North (now the America East Conference) player of the year as a junior in 1983. He left Maine as one of the school's top all-time scorers and rebounders.

Cross was drafted in the third round of the 1984 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks (61st overall). However, his rights were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers and he was later waived. After nearly two years, he would make his NBA debut in the form of a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1985–86 NBA season. He was subsequently signed for the remainder of the year. Cross' NBA career lasted 21 games as he averaged 6.1 minutes per game in a reserve role. His career averages were 1.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.