Jeff James--1969
According to his obituary, following his
11-year professional baseball career,
Jeff James lived the final years of his life
in Indianapolis after he retired as a truck
driver. Traveling around the state of
Indiana as a free agent scout during the
1990s, I wonder if I ever crossed paths
with James.
It could have been while in line at a truck
stop cash register as we both grabbed a
cup of coffee in attempt to stay awake
behind our steering wheels. Or maybe in
adjoining sinks at some rest stop. I used
to squawk a little on a portable CB unit;
we could have shared info on a “bear
“sitting along I-65.
I could have asked James how he
dominated All-Stars Ron Santo (.067)
and Willie Stargell (.083) during his brief
2-year major league career. Or inquired
about the sensation he felt after pitching
his lone big league shutout, an 8-0
cakewalk over the Cubs in the second
game of the July 17, 1968 double dip at
old Connie Mack Stadium. Then again, I
might have just asked him why he didn’t
strike a pitchers pose or flash a toothy
grin for the Topps photographer for his
1969 card.
Come on Jeff, you're in the big leagues...
SMILE
Editor's Note: James would go 6-6, 4.52
in 35 appearances for the Phillies during
1968-69. Half of his outings were as a
starter, a role that fit him best. He would
not smile for his 1970 card either.
(1/16/11)
11-year professional baseball career,
Jeff James lived the final years of his life
in Indianapolis after he retired as a truck
driver. Traveling around the state of
Indiana as a free agent scout during the
1990s, I wonder if I ever crossed paths
with James.
It could have been while in line at a truck
stop cash register as we both grabbed a
cup of coffee in attempt to stay awake
behind our steering wheels. Or maybe in
adjoining sinks at some rest stop. I used
to squawk a little on a portable CB unit;
we could have shared info on a “bear
“sitting along I-65.
I could have asked James how he
dominated All-Stars Ron Santo (.067)
and Willie Stargell (.083) during his brief
2-year major league career. Or inquired
about the sensation he felt after pitching
his lone big league shutout, an 8-0
cakewalk over the Cubs in the second
game of the July 17, 1968 double dip at
old Connie Mack Stadium. Then again, I
might have just asked him why he didn’t
strike a pitchers pose or flash a toothy
grin for the Topps photographer for his
1969 card.
Come on Jeff, you're in the big leagues...
SMILE
Editor's Note: James would go 6-6, 4.52
in 35 appearances for the Phillies during
1968-69. Half of his outings were as a
starter, a role that fit him best. He would
not smile for his 1970 card either.
(1/16/11)
