Jim Spencer
First Baseman · Career Stats, Bio & Records (1968-1982)
Jim Spencer was a first baseman who played in Major League Baseball from 1968 to 1982 for 5 teams, including the California Angels, a span of 15 seasons. In 1,553 career games, he hit .250 with 1,227 hits, 146 home runs, and 599 RBI. Jim Spencer was an All-Star and a 2-time Gold Glove.
- AVG (Batting Average):
- Hits divided by at bats. .300 is the traditional mark of an excellent hitter.
- HR (Home Runs):
- Hits on which the batter circled the bases and scored, almost always by clearing the outfield fence.
- RBI (Runs Batted In):
- Runs that scored as a direct result of a batter's plate appearance.
- OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging):
- On-base percentage plus slugging percentage, the quickest single summary of offensive value. .900 or better is star-level.
Data updated
- Position
- First Baseman
- Bats / Throws
- L / L
- Height / Weight
- 6'2" / 195 lb
- Died
- 2/10/2002 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- MLB Debut
- 1968-09-07
- Last Game
- 1982-06-20
- Awards
- All-Star · 2× Gold Glove
Full name: James Lloyd Spencer
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,553 | 4,908 | 541 | 1,227 | 179 | 27 | 146 | 599 | 11 | 407 | 582 | .250 | .307 | .387 | .694 | -779 |
Career AVG .250 vs. league average .256 across their career seasons — near league average.
Career OBP .307 vs. league average .322 across their career seasons — near league average.
Career SLG .387 vs. league average .376 across their career seasons — near league average.
Career OPS .694 vs. league average .698 across their career seasons — near league average.
Season-by-Season Batting
Click a stat to plot it across every season.
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | Lg AVG | Lg OBP | Lg SLG | Lg OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | CAL | AL | 19 | 68 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 10 | .191 | .236 (-19%) | .298 (-22%) | .340 (-39%) | .638 (-31%) | -303.4 |
| 1969 | CAL | AL | 113 | 386 | 39 | 98 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 31 | 1 | 26 | 53 | .254 | .248 (+2%) | .320 (-5%) | .369 (+4%) | .689 (avg) | -71.2 |
| 1970 | CAL | AL | 146 | 511 | 61 | 140 | 20 | 4 | 12 | 68 | 0 | 28 | 61 | .274 | .253 (+8%) | .325 (-5%) | .385 (+4%) | .711 (avg) | -171.5 |
| 1971 | CAL | AL | 148 | 510 | 50 | 121 | 21 | 2 | 18 | 59 | 0 | 48 | 63 | .237 | .249 (-5%) | .316 (-4%) | .365 (+7%) | .682 (+2%) | 114.2 |
| 1972 | CAL | AL | 82 | 212 | 13 | 47 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 25 | .222 | .243 (-9%) | .310 (-16%) | .353 (-27%) | .664 (-21%) | -676.3 |
| 1973 | CAL | AL | 29 | 87 | 10 | 21 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 9 | .241 | .256 (-6%) | .325 (-3%) | .378 (+6%) | .703 (+2%) | 11.7 |
| 1973 | TEX | AL | 102 | 352 | 35 | 94 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 43 | 0 | 34 | 41 | .267 | .256 (+4%) | .325 (+2%) | .378 (-7%) | .703 (-3%) | 11.7 |
| 1974 | TEX | AL | 118 | 352 | 36 | 98 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 44 | 1 | 22 | 27 | .278 | .256 (+8%) | .324 (avg) | .369 (+6%) | .693 (+3%) | 124.5 |
| 1975 | TEX | AL | 132 | 403 | 50 | 107 | 18 | 1 | 11 | 47 | 0 | 35 | 43 | .266 | .257 (+3%) | .327 (avg) | .374 (+6%) | .701 (+3%) | 228.2 |
| 1976 | CHA | AL | 150 | 518 | 53 | 131 | 13 | 2 | 14 | 70 | 6 | 49 | 52 | .253 | .255 (-1%) | .320 (-2%) | .360 (+2%) | .681 (avg) | -12.0 |
| 1977 | CHA | AL | 128 | 470 | 56 | 116 | 16 | 1 | 18 | 69 | 1 | 36 | 50 | .247 | .264 (-7%) | .329 (-9%) | .401 (avg) | .730 (-4%) | -372.0 |
| 1978 | NYA | AL | 71 | 150 | 12 | 34 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 24 | 0 | 15 | 32 | .227 | .257 (-12%) | .323 (-9%) | .378 (+16%) | .702 (+5%) | 76.7 |
| 1979 | NYA | AL | 106 | 295 | 60 | 85 | 15 | 3 | 23 | 53 | 0 | 38 | 25 | .288 | .265 (+9%) | .329 (+11%) | .397 (+49%) | .727 (+32%) | 1759.7 |
| 1980 | NYA | AL | 97 | 259 | 38 | 61 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 43 | 1 | 30 | 44 | .236 | .264 (-11%) | .326 (-4%) | .387 (+9%) | .714 (+3%) | 113.2 |
| 1981 | NYA | AL | 25 | 63 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 7 | .143 | .255 (-44%) | .320 (-22%) | .368 (-27%) | .688 (-25%) | -229.5 |
| 1981 | OAK | AL | 54 | 171 | 14 | 35 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 10 | 20 | .205 | .255 (-20%) | .320 (-23%) | .368 (-25%) | .688 (-24%) | -229.5 |
| 1982 | OAK | AL | 33 | 101 | 6 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 20 | .168 | .261 (-36%) | .324 (-41%) | .388 (-29%) | .712 (-34%) | -580.7 |
| Career · 17 seasons | 1,553 | 4,908 | 541 | 1,227 | 179 | 27 | 146 | 599 | 11 | 407 | 582 | .250 | — | — | — | — | -206 | ||
Lg columns show the league average for that season, with the player's figure as a percentage above or below it. Career totals the seasons listed above.
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
Playoff Batting by Year
Game Log & Splits
View full game log (1552 games) →Per-game data from Retrosheet (regular season, through 2025).
Batting — Home / Away
| Split | G | AB | R | H | HR | RBI | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 779 | 2431 | 265 | 617 | 73 | 302 | .254 |
| Away | 773 | 2476 | 276 | 610 | 73 | 297 | .246 |
Last 10 Games — Batting
| Date | Tm | Opp | Res | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982-06-20 | OAK | TOR | L | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1982-06-19 | OAK | TOR | L | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982-06-18 | OAK | TOR | L | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1982-06-11 | OAK | TOR | L | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982-06-09 | OAK | CHW | W | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982-06-08 | OAK | CHW | L | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982-06-07 | OAK | CHW | L | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1982-06-06 | OAK | MIL | L | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982-06-04 | OAK | MIL | L | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982-06-02 | OAK | BOS | W | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1221 | 1102 | 9898 | 797 | 55 | 956 |
| OF | 24 | 21 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | CAL | 1B | 19 | 19 | 152 | 18 | 1 | 15 |
| 1969 | CAL | 1B | 107 | 101 | 926 | 66 | 9 | 81 |
| 1970 | CAL | 1B | 142 | 135 | 1212 | 85 | 7 | 131 |
| 1971 | CAL | 1B | 145 | 135 | 1296 | 93 | 5 | 117 |
| 1972 | CAL | 1B | 35 | 30 | 267 | 22 | 3 | 25 |
| 1972 | CAL | OF | 24 | 21 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1973 | CAL | 1B | 26 | 24 | 204 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| 1973 | TEX | 1B | 99 | 88 | 790 | 67 | 1 | 86 |
| 1974 | TEX | 1B | 60 | 40 | 389 | 27 | 1 | 36 |
| 1975 | TEX | 1B | 99 | 90 | 844 | 70 | 5 | 92 |
| 1976 | CHA | 1B | 143 | 134 | 1206 | 112 | 2 | 116 |
| 1977 | CHA | 1B | 125 | 123 | 977 | 90 | 10 | 76 |
| 1978 | NYA | 1B | 15 | 8 | 90 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| 1979 | NYA | 1B | 26 | 25 | 232 | 17 | 2 | 35 |
| 1980 | NYA | 1B | 75 | 62 | 567 | 41 | 6 | 51 |
| 1981 | NYA | 1B | 25 | 20 | 172 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1981 | OAK | 1B | 48 | 42 | 344 | 36 | 1 | 30 |
| 1982 | OAK | 1B | 32 | 26 | 230 | 22 | 2 | 20 |
Career Games by Position
Circle size = games played at each position.
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 1219 |
| Left Field | 24 |
| Designated Hitter | 204 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Gold Glove | 1B |
| 1970 | Gold Glove | 1B |
Most Similar Players
Career comps based on counting + rate stats and primary position. Score is relative — closest peer anchors at ~98%.
Jim Spencer (highlighted) compared to peers across the same era.
Jim Spencer: the record in brief
The profile opens with Jim Spencer's first major league game on September 7, 1968; the last one listed came on June 20, 1982. By club, Spencer's seasons break down as the California Angels (1968 to 1973), the Texas Rangers (1973 to 1975), the Chicago White Sox (1976 through 1977), the New York Yankees (1978 to 1981), and the Oakland Athletics (1981 through 1982). Spencer is listed as a first baseman at 195 pounds on a 6-foot-2 frame. The bio says Spencer batted and threw left-handed. The recorded birth is July 30, 1947, in Hanover, PA, USA. Spencer's death is recorded on February 10, 2002, in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA. The given name on file is James Lloyd Spencer.
In 1,553 games and 4,908 at bats, Spencer batted .250 with 1,227 hits, plus 146 home runs and 599 runs batted in. Spencer got on base at a .307 rate and slugged .387 (.694 OPS). The .250 career average is close to the .256 the league hit across the same seasons. 1979 was Spencer's biggest home run year, with 23.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jim Spencer
- What years did Jim Spencer play?
- Jim Spencer played in Major League Baseball from 1968 to 1982.
- Was Jim Spencer a pitcher?
- No. Jim Spencer was a position player (First Baseman).
- How many home runs did Jim Spencer hit?
- Jim Spencer hit 146 career home runs with 1,227 hits.
- What teams did Jim Spencer play for?
- Jim Spencer played for 5 teams: the California Angels (1968–1973), the Texas Rangers (1973–1975), the Chicago White Sox (1976–1977), the New York Yankees (1978–1981), and the Oakland Athletics (1981–1982).
- Did Jim Spencer win an MVP award?
- No. Jim Spencer did not win the MVP award.
- What awards did Jim Spencer win?
- Jim Spencer won 2 Gold Gloves (1970 and 1977). He was selected to 1 All-Star Game.
- What were Jim Spencer's career stats?
- In 1,553 games, Jim Spencer had 1,227 hits, 146 home runs, 599 RBI, 541 runs, and 11 stolen bases, with a .250 batting average.
- What position did Jim Spencer play?
- Jim Spencer played primarily as a first baseman, the position where he appeared in the most games.
- How tall was Jim Spencer and how much did he weigh?
- Jim Spencer was listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 195 pounds.
- How many home runs did Jim Spencer hit each season?
- Jim Spencer's home runs by season: 0 in 1968, 10 in 1969, 12 in 1970, 18 in 1971, 1 in 1972, 6 in 1973, 7 in 1974, 11 in 1975, 14 in 1976, 18 in 1977, 7 in 1978, 23 in 1979, 13 in 1980, 4 in 1981, and 2 in 1982. His most in one season was 23, in 1979.
- What was Jim Spencer's career batting average?
- Jim Spencer batted .250 over his career, with 1,227 hits in 4,908 at bats.
- How many RBI did Jim Spencer have?
- Jim Spencer drove in 599 runs in his career.
- Is Jim Spencer in the Hall of Fame?
- No. Jim Spencer has not been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
- How many All-Star Games did Jim Spencer make?
- Jim Spencer was selected to 1 All-Star Game.