Year Inducted – 1986

His career began as an outfielder in the North Akron Hot Stove League where he played on two championship teams. From there “Buzz,” as his teammates called him, sharpened his skills in the shortstop position at North High, and in Class D ball with the Portage County All-Stars and Wadsworth Beach Sohio teams. While playing for Akron U, Jim moved into AA League play with Azar-Denholm, played with the champion Tramonte Black Labels, champion Red Peppers, champion Akron Insulating and closed out his playing days with the always contending Pfeifle Undertakers. Although not hitting for the extreme high averages, Jim specialized in dropping the Texas-Leaguer fly balls between the defense. He also became very adept at bunting, especially on the suicide squeeze which he and his Red Pepper mates fully mastered. Jim’s best hitting seasons came during the Pepper’s 1971 pennant drive when he pounded out a .354 average. Jim was named to five Akron-Canton All-Star teams.