Jim Proctor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jim Proctor |
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: September 9, 1935 Brandywine, Maryland |
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| debut | |||
| September 14, 1959, for the Detroit Tigers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 26, 1959, for the Detroit Tigers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 0–1 | ||
| Earned run average | 16.88 | ||
| Strikeouts | 0 | ||
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James Arthur Proctor, known as Jim Proctor, is a former American professional baseball player. He was a pitcher who played for the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball during the 1959 season. Jim Proctor is important because he played in the Negro leagues, which were baseball leagues for African-American players when Major League Baseball was segregated. He was also one of the first African-American players to wear a Detroit Tigers uniform.
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Jim Proctor's Early Baseball Days
Jim Proctor was born on September 9, 1935, in Brandywine, Maryland. He went to Frederick Douglass High School and later attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He was a right-handed pitcher, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 165 pounds.
Starting His Professional Career
Proctor began his professional baseball journey in 1955. He first played for a team connected to the Milwaukee Braves. However, he was released after only five games. This was during a time when strict racial segregation was common in the United States.
Playing in the Negro Leagues
After leaving the Braves' organization, Jim Proctor signed with the Indianapolis Clowns. This team was part of the Negro American League. In this league, he had a fantastic season, winning 16 games and losing only seven. His great performance caught the attention of Major League teams. After the season, the Clowns sold his contract to the Detroit Tigers.
Reaching Major League Baseball
When Jim Proctor returned to "Organized Baseball" in 1956, he continued to play well. He won ten or more games in three of the next four seasons. In 1959, while playing in the Sally League, he had an amazing year. He won 15 games and lost only 5. He also led the league in "complete games," meaning he pitched every inning of 20 games. He had the second-best "earned run average" (ERA), which measures how many runs a pitcher allows. Because of his excellent season, he was named Pitcher of the Year.
Joining the Detroit Tigers
In September 1959, the Detroit Tigers called Jim Proctor up to the Major Leagues. At that time, the Tigers were one of the last teams in Major League Baseball to have African-American players. Ozzie Virgil Sr., an Afro-Latino player, had joined the team in 1958. Then, Larry Doby, a famous player, became the first U.S.-born Black player for the Tigers in April 1959. Jim Proctor, at 24 years old, became the first African-American player to come up through the Tigers' own minor league system.
His Time in the Majors
Jim Proctor played in two games for the Detroit Tigers in 1959. He was dealing with a sore shoulder at the time.
First Game Appearance
His first game was on September 14 against the Washington Senators. He came into the game as a "relief pitcher," meaning he pitched after the starting pitcher. He pitched for two innings, allowing four hits and one earned run.
Starting His Only Major League Game
Twelve days later, Jim Proctor started a game against the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox were the league champions that year. He got the first two batters out, including future Hall-of-Famer Nellie Fox. However, the next six players reached base, and he left the game with the Tigers trailing 4–0. He was given the "loss" for this game, which was his only "decision" in the Major Leagues.
After the Major Leagues
Jim Proctor went back to the minor leagues in 1960. He continued to pitch well, winning 15 games in the Double-A Texas League. However, his career began to slow down. He struggled in Triple-A in 1961 and missed the entire 1962 season. He played his last professional games in 1963.
In his brief Major League career, he pitched 2 and 2/3 innings. He allowed eight hits, three walks, and five earned runs, giving him an ERA of 16.88. In the minor leagues, he had a strong record of 59 wins and 41 losses over 190 games.
A Family Legacy in Baseball
Jim Proctor's grandson, also named James, followed in his footsteps. He pitched for the Cincinnati Reds' organization in 2021 and 2022. A shoulder injury ended his playing career. However, he stayed involved in baseball and began working as a young executive for the Commissioner of Baseball in 2023.
