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, born on September 9, 1935, is a former American professional baseball player. He was a pitcher who played in two games for the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball during the 1959 season. Jim Proctor is special because he was one of the last players to play in the Negro leagues before joining Major League Baseball. He was also one of the first African-American players to wear a Detroit Tigers uniform.
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Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Jim Proctor was born in Brandywine, Maryland. He went to Frederick Douglass High School in Prince George's County, Maryland. After high school, he attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
In 1955, Jim started his professional baseball career. He joined the Milwaukee Braves' organization. However, he only played five games in the Class D Florida State League. During this time, there was strict racial segregation in many parts of the United States.
Playing in the Negro Leagues
After leaving the Braves, Jim Proctor signed with the Indianapolis Clowns. This team was part of the Negro American League. In his time with the Clowns, he had a great season. He won 16 games and lost only seven. After that season, the Detroit Tigers' organization bought his contract from the Clowns. This meant he was moving to "Organized Baseball".
Journey to 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. By 1959, he was playing in the Sally League. That year, he had an amazing record of 15 wins and only 5 losses.
He also led the league in complete games, finishing 20 games by himself. He was second in the league for earned run average (ERA) with a low 2.19. Because of his excellent performance, he was named Pitcher of the Year in the Sally League.
Joining the Detroit Tigers
In September 1959, Major League Baseball teams were allowed to have more players on their rosters. The Detroit Tigers called Jim Proctor up to the major leagues. The Tigers were one of the last teams to have African-American players. Ozzie Virgil Sr., who was Afro-Latino, had joined the Tigers in 1958. Baseball Hall of Famer Larry Doby 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.
Major League Career and Beyond
Jim Proctor played in two games for the Detroit Tigers in 1959. He was dealing with a sore shoulder at the time. His first game was on September 14 against the Washington Senators. He pitched two innings in relief, allowing four hits and one earned run.
Twelve days later, on September 26, he started a game against the league champion Chicago White Sox. He got the first two batters out, including future Hall-of-Famer Nellie Fox. However, the next six players reached base. He gave up four hits and two bases on balls. He left the game trailing 4–0 and was given the loss. This was his only decision in the major leagues.
Minor League Success and Retirement
After his brief time in the majors, Proctor went back to the minor leagues in 1960. He won 15 games that year in the Double-A Texas League. However, his career was nearing its end. He struggled in Triple-A in 1961. He missed the entire 1962 season. He played his last professional games in 1963, appearing in eight games in the Double-A Sally League.
In his major league career, he allowed eight hits, three walks, and five earned runs in 2 and 2/3 innings pitched. This resulted in an ERA of 16.88. His minor league record was much better, with 59 wins and 41 losses in 190 games.
Family Legacy
Jim Proctor's grandson, also named James, followed in his footsteps. He graduated from Princeton University and pitched in the Cincinnati Reds' organization in 2021 and 2022. A shoulder injury ended his playing career. However, he stayed involved in baseball. In 2023, he began working as a young executive in the office of the Commissioner of Baseball.
