Jim Busby
Born: 1/8/1927 in Kenedy, TX, USA
Died: 7/8/1996 in Augusta, GA, USA
MLB Debut: 1950-04-23 | Final Game: 1962-07-08
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: James Franklin Busby
Biography
Jim Busby was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1950 to 1962. Born in 1927, Busby was known for his versatility as a position player, appearing in 1,352 games throughout his career. He compiled a notable batting average of .262, accumulating 1,113 hits, 48 home runs, and 438 RBIs. His speed on the basepaths was evident as he recorded 97 stolen bases, showcasing his ability to contribute both offensively and defensively to his teams.
Busby's career included an All-Star selection, highlighting his performance during an era characterized by strong competition and the evolution of the game. He played during a transformative time in baseball, bridging the gap between the post-war years and the burgeoning modern era of the sport. His contributions on the field, combined with his tenacity and skill, left a lasting impact on the teams he represented and on the fans who watched him play.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1352 | 4250 | 541 | 1113 | 162 | 35 | 48 | 438 | 97 | 310 | 439 | 0.262 | 0.314 | 0.350 | 0.665 | -5604.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | CHW | AL | 18 | 48 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0.208 | 0.0 |
| 1951 | CHW | AL | 143 | 477 | 59 | 135 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 68 | 26 | 40 | 46 | 0.283 | -270.8 |
| 1952 | CHW | AL | 16 | 39 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0.128 | 0.0 |
| 1952 | WSN | AL | 129 | 512 | 58 | 125 | 24 | 4 | 2 | 47 | 5 | 22 | 48 | 0.244 | 0.0 |
| 1953 | WSN | AL | 150 | 586 | 68 | 183 | 28 | 7 | 6 | 82 | 13 | 38 | 45 | 0.312 | 611.5 |
| 1954 | WSN | AL | 155 | 628 | 83 | 187 | 22 | 7 | 7 | 80 | 17 | 43 | 56 | 0.298 | 70.3 |
| 1955 | CHW | AL | 99 | 337 | 38 | 82 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 27 | 7 | 25 | 37 | 0.243 | -1080.4 |
| 1955 | WSN | AL | 47 | 191 | 23 | 44 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 5 | 13 | 22 | 0.230 | -1080.4 |
| 1956 | CLE | AL | 135 | 494 | 72 | 116 | 17 | 3 | 12 | 50 | 8 | 43 | 47 | 0.235 | -1000.1 |
| 1957 | BAL | AL | 86 | 288 | 31 | 72 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 6 | 23 | 36 | 0.250 | -645.4 |
| 1957 | CLE | AL | 30 | 74 | 9 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0.189 | -645.4 |
| 1958 | BAL | AL | 113 | 215 | 32 | 51 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 6 | 24 | 37 | 0.237 | -356.2 |
| 1959 | BOS | AL | 61 | 102 | 16 | 23 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 18 | 0.225 | -321.6 |
| 1960 | BAL | AL | 79 | 159 | 25 | 41 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 20 | 14 | 0.258 | -164.3 |
| 1960 | BOS | AL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | -164.3 |
| 1961 | BAL | AL | 75 | 89 | 15 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 0.258 | -212.2 |
| 1962 | HOU | NL | 15 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0.182 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 1280 | 655 | 3284 | 68 | 42 | 16 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | CHA | OF | 12 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1951 | CHA | OF | 139 | 0 | 360 | 16 | 7 | 4 |
| 1952 | CHA | OF | 16 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1952 | WS1 | OF | 128 | 0 | 430 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| 1953 | WS1 | OF | 150 | 0 | 482 | 15 | 6 | 4 |
| 1954 | WS1 | OF | 155 | 155 | 491 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| 1955 | CHA | OF | 99 | 89 | 243 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| 1955 | WS1 | OF | 47 | 47 | 132 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1956 | CLE | OF | 133 | 122 | 344 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 1957 | BAL | OF | 85 | 77 | 233 | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| 1957 | CLE | OF | 26 | 19 | 44 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1958 | BAL | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1958 | BAL | OF | 103 | 54 | 196 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1959 | BOS | OF | 34 | 19 | 49 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1960 | BAL | OF | 71 | 45 | 133 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 1960 | BOS | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1961 | BAL | OF | 71 | 26 | 76 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1962 | HOU | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1962 | HOU | OF | 10 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 2 |
| Third Base | 1 |
| Left Field | 11 |
| Center Field | 1265 |
| Right Field | 3 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Christian University | Fort Worth | TX | 1947, 1948 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 18th | 7.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1951 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 30th | 2.0 | 336 | 0 |