Jim French
Born: 8/13/1941 in Warren, OH, USA
MLB Debut: 1965-09-12 | Final Game: 1971-05-14
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'8" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Richard James French
Biography
Jim French was a professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball from 1965 to 1971. Born in 1941, French was primarily a position player known for his versatility on the field. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 234 games, during which he recorded 119 hits, five home runs, and 51 runs batted in, finishing with a batting average of .196. His time in the league coincided with a transformative period in baseball, characterized by the shift toward more power-hitting players and an evolving style of play.
While French may not have been a household name, he contributed to the teams he played for with his steady presence and work ethic. He also showcased his speed on the bases, tallying three stolen bases during his career. French's journey through the major leagues reflects the experiences of many players of his era, navigating the challenges and competition of the game during the late 1960s and early 1970s. His career, though not highly celebrated, is a testament to the tenacity and spirit of players who dedicated themselves to the sport.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 234 | 607 | 53 | 119 | 17 | 4 | 5 | 51 | 3 | 121 | 78 | 0.196 | 0.328 | 0.262 | 0.590 | -719.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | WS2 | AL | 13 | 37 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 0.297 | 0.0 |
| 1966 | WS2 | AL | 10 | 24 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0.208 | 0.0 |
| 1967 | WS2 | AL | 6 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0.062 | 0.0 |
| 1968 | WS2 | AL | 59 | 165 | 9 | 32 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 19 | 19 | 0.194 | -455.5 |
| 1969 | WS2 | AL | 63 | 158 | 14 | 29 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 41 | 15 | 0.184 | -46.0 |
| 1970 | WS2 | AL | 69 | 166 | 20 | 35 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 38 | 23 | 0.211 | -218.3 |
| 1971 | WS2 | AL | 14 | 41 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0.146 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 221 | 193 | 1052 | 128 | 22 | 16 |
| OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | WS2 | C | 13 | 12 | 68 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| 1966 | WS2 | C | 10 | 8 | 45 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1967 | WS2 | C | 6 | 5 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | WS2 | C | 53 | 47 | 268 | 42 | 5 | 2 |
| 1969 | WS2 | C | 63 | 56 | 316 | 44 | 4 | 8 |
| 1970 | WS2 | C | 62 | 52 | 267 | 23 | 8 | 4 |
| 1970 | WS2 | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1971 | WS2 | C | 14 | 13 | 60 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 220 |
| Left Field | 1 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio University | Athens | OH | 1961, 1962, 1963 |