Jim McAndrew--1973
With his mouth agape, Jim McAndrew
can either hardly believe that he is a
major league pitcher or maybe it was his
permanent state of shock of coming from
a town of 500 people to joining the
masses of New York City.
McAndrew hailed from Lost Nation, a tiny
town that comprises of less than a
square mile of Iowa farmland where a few
dirt roads intersect. The town is so small;
it would be just a subdivision in Radar O’
Reilly’s Ottumwa, IA.
However, the right-hander was a man of
opportunity, as he joined the Amazin’
Mets in time to secure a World
Championship ring in ’69, while collecting
National League Championship finger
hardware in 1973, despite never taking
stepping on a playoff mound in either
year.
The soft-spoken McAndrew logged a 37-
53, 3.65 mark in seven big league
seasons all, except for one, with the
Mets. He would sire a son, Jamie, who
would pitch in 15 games for the Brewers
between 1995 and 1997. The younger
McAndrew was born in Williamsport, PA,
as his father remains the only big league
player to have been born in Lost Nation,
IA.
Editor’s Note: McAndrew was the
opposing pitcher when future Hall of
Famer Robin Roberts made his last pro
start on June 17, 1967.
(9/20/10)
can either hardly believe that he is a
major league pitcher or maybe it was his
permanent state of shock of coming from
a town of 500 people to joining the
masses of New York City.
McAndrew hailed from Lost Nation, a tiny
town that comprises of less than a
square mile of Iowa farmland where a few
dirt roads intersect. The town is so small;
it would be just a subdivision in Radar O’
Reilly’s Ottumwa, IA.
However, the right-hander was a man of
opportunity, as he joined the Amazin’
Mets in time to secure a World
Championship ring in ’69, while collecting
National League Championship finger
hardware in 1973, despite never taking
stepping on a playoff mound in either
year.
The soft-spoken McAndrew logged a 37-
53, 3.65 mark in seven big league
seasons all, except for one, with the
Mets. He would sire a son, Jamie, who
would pitch in 15 games for the Brewers
between 1995 and 1997. The younger
McAndrew was born in Williamsport, PA,
as his father remains the only big league
player to have been born in Lost Nation,
IA.
Editor’s Note: McAndrew was the
opposing pitcher when future Hall of
Famer Robin Roberts made his last pro
start on June 17, 1967.
(9/20/10)
