Year Inducted – 1997

Like so many other Greater Akron Hall of Famers, Jim got his start playing with the American Legion Post 209 teams. He then moved on to Garfield High School where he pitched the Presidents to a pair of city championships in 1950 and 1951. At The University of Akron he earned three letters and was named the team’s most valuable player for 1953. After college he joined Bob Simmons’ Krumroy Markets team. After a couple of years, Frank Garcia recruited Jim to pitch for the Borden Autos. Several years later the military claimed him for a hitch. Upon his return to Akron, Jim finished out his baseball days with the Canton Road Furnitures and the Krispy Kremes. With the Kremes he was the win-loss leader also having the lowest ERA Jim was selected on four All-Star teams and was a member of eight championship teams.