Jim Small (baseball) explained

Jim Small
Position:Outfielder
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
Birth Date:8 March 1937
Birth Place:Portland, Oregon
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:June 22
Debutyear:1955
Debutteam:Detroit Tigers
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:September 27
Finalyear:1958
Finalteam:Kansas City Athletics
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.270
Stat2label:Home runs
Stat2value:0
Stat3label:Runs batted in
Stat3value:10
Teams:

James Arthur Patrick Small (born March 8, 1937) is an American former professional baseball player who appeared in 108 games as an outfielder, pinch hitter and pinch runner in Major League Baseball from to for the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Athletics. Born in Portland, Oregon, he threw and batted left-handed, stood 6feet tall and weighed .

Small was signed as a free agent bonus baby by the Tigers in 1955 after he graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, California. As a bonus baby, the Tigers were required to keep Small on their major league roster for both 1955 and .[1]

In the majors, Small appeared in 45 games as an outfielder, with the remainder of his MLB games played coming as a pinch hitter or runner. While he was playing in the minor leagues in 1960, the parent Athletics decided to convert Small into a pitcher. After getting shelled in 12 appearances, he was sent back to the outfield.[2] Small did however make one pitching appearance in 1962, his last year in professional baseball.

Small batted .270 in 141 career at bats in the majors; his 38 hits included six doubles and two triples. He was credited with ten runs batted in.

Notes and References

  1. News: Cash in the Cradle: The Bonus Babies. The Hardball Times. Treder, Steve. November 1, 2004. October 6, 2018.
  2. News: Hershberger Winter Loop Batting King. St. Petersburg Times. December 11, 1960.