Jim Finigan
Born: 8/19/1928 in Quincy, IL, USA
Died: 5/16/1981 in Quincy, IL, USA
MLB Debut: 1954-04-25 | Final Game: 1959-07-05
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: James Leroy Finigan
Biography
Jim Finigan was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1954 to 1959. Born in 1928, Finigan played primarily as a position player during a competitive era that saw the rise of power hitters and the increasing popularity of the game. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 512 games, where he demonstrated his offensive capabilities with 422 hits and a batting average of .264. Finigan contributed significantly to his teams with 19 home runs and 168 runs batted in, while also showcasing his speed on the base paths with 8 stolen bases.
Finigan's talents earned him two selections as an All-Star, highlighting his status among the top players of his time. He played during a transitional period in baseball, as the sport was beginning to embrace more dynamic styles of play and the integration of diverse talent. Known for his versatility and reliability, Finigan left an indelible mark on the teams he played for and remains a respected figure among baseball historians and enthusiasts. His contributions to the game reflect a dedication to excellence during a vibrant era in Major League Baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 512 | 1600 | 195 | 422 | 74 | 17 | 19 | 168 | 8 | 190 | 176 | 0.264 | 0.342 | 0.367 | 0.709 | -205.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | PHA | AL | 136 | 487 | 57 | 147 | 25 | 6 | 7 | 51 | 2 | 64 | 66 | 0.302 | 1199.6 |
| 1955 | KC1 | AL | 150 | 545 | 72 | 139 | 30 | 7 | 9 | 68 | 1 | 61 | 49 | 0.255 | -108.2 |
| 1956 | KC1 | AL | 91 | 250 | 29 | 54 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 3 | 30 | 28 | 0.216 | -937.7 |
| 1957 | DET | AL | 64 | 174 | 20 | 47 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 23 | 18 | 0.270 | -93.5 |
| 1958 | SFG | NL | 23 | 25 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0.200 | 0.0 |
| 1959 | BAL | AL | 48 | 119 | 14 | 30 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 0.252 | -266.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 159 | 130 | 368 | 355 | 21 | 113 |
| 3B | 332 | 297 | 323 | 685 | 55 | 67 |
| SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | PHA | 3B | 136 | 133 | 151 | 305 | 25 | 34 |
| 1955 | KC1 | 2B | 90 | 87 | 236 | 228 | 12 | 72 |
| 1955 | KC1 | 3B | 59 | 59 | 55 | 135 | 8 | 13 |
| 1956 | KC1 | 2B | 52 | 39 | 114 | 105 | 7 | 35 |
| 1956 | KC1 | 3B | 32 | 29 | 29 | 70 | 9 | 7 |
| 1957 | DET | 2B | 3 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| 1957 | DET | 3B | 59 | 46 | 58 | 108 | 8 | 9 |
| 1958 | SFN | 2B | 8 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
| 1958 | SFN | 3B | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1959 | BAL | 2B | 6 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 2 |
| 1959 | BAL | 3B | 42 | 29 | 30 | 64 | 4 | 4 |
| 1959 | BAL | SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 159 |
| Third Base | 332 |
| Shortstop | 2 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Ambrose University | Davenport | IA | 1947 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 12th | 19.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1954 | Rookie of the Year | AL | 2nd | 8.0 | 24 | 8 |