James Loney

James Anthony Loney (born May 7, 1984) is an American former professional baseball first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, and New York Mets, and in the KBO League for the LG Twins.

James Anthony Loney was born on May 7, 1984, in Houston, Texas, to Marion, known as Tony, and Annie (née Pavelchak) Loney (1958–2023). His father, who is African-American was a computer programmer and software consultant and his mother, who was Polish-American worked as a teacher. Loney has a younger brother named Anthony.

Loney played baseball on a team sponsored by the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program and was coached at Elkins High School by Matt Carpenter's father Rick. In Loney's senior year, his high school team was ranked first in the nation by Baseball America and won the 5A state championship. Loney contributed a 12–1 record with a 1.52 ERA and 120 strikeouts as a pitcher that season, as well as a .500 batting average, eight home runs, 38 runs scored and 58 runs batted in. He was named to the Texas Sports Writers Association 5A all-state team at the end of the 2002 baseball season, as well as Powerade and Gatorade Player of the Year.

Much of the professional interest in Loney centered on his pitching ability, but he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round, #19 overall, of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft as a position player. He had signed with Baylor University to play college baseball, but opted to sign a pro contract.

Loney began his professional career in 2002 with the Great Falls Dodgers, where he hit .371 and was named the top prospect in the Pioneer League by Baseball America. Loney also appeared in 17 games that year for Single-A Vero Beach, batting .299. He returned to Vero Beach for 2003, and in 125 games he hit .276 with 7 homers and 46 RBIs. He was listed #34 on the 2003 edition of Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list.

In 2004, Loney was highly ranked for his defensive ability in the Arizona Fall League and made the All-Prospect Team voted on by league managers and coaches. However, he had an injury plagued season at Double-A Jacksonville and fell to #42 on Baseball America's prospect list. In 2005, Loney led the Southern League Champion Jacksonville Suns in hits and total bases. That season, he was ranked #62 on Baseball America's list of top prospects.

In 2006, Loney led all of baseball with a .380 average while playing for the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s. He was named the Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year and was chosen as first-team Triple-A All-Star First Baseman by Baseball America.

Loney made his major league debut with the Dodgers on April 4, 2006, against the Atlanta Braves after starting Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra was placed on the disabled list. Loney collected a single in his first major league at bat, against John Smoltz.