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Jim Spencer
James Lloyd Spencer (July 30, 1947 – February 10, 2002) was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. Born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, the left-handed Spencer was recognized for his excellent fielding ability, but also served in later years as a designated hitter.
Spencer was drafted by the California Angels in the first round (11th overall) of the 1965 Major League Baseball draft upon graduation from Andover High School in Linthicum, Maryland. After batting .292 with 28 home runs and 96 runs batted in for the El Paso Sun Kings in 1968, Spencer earned a September call-up to the Angels. In nineteen games, he batted .191 with no home runs and five RBIs.
Spencer began the 1969 season assigned to the Hawaii Islanders, but with former All-Star Dick Stuart not panning out at first base, he was back with the Angels by May. In just his second start of the season, he went four-for-five against the Baltimore Orioles. For the season, he batted .254 with ten home runs and 31 RBIs.
While Spencer's offensive numbers improved in 1970, his fielding improved more-so, as he led the American League with 1,212 putouts at first and a .995 fielding percentage to win the Gold Glove award.
Injuries limited Spencer to 82 games in 1972.
Spencer was dealt along with Lloyd Allen from the Angels to the Texas Rangers for Mike Epstein, Rich Hand and Rick Stelmaszek on May 20, 1973. He was batting .300 for the Rangers when he was named to the AL All-Star team. He had one at-bat in the game, and flew out to left field. Despite the fact that Spencer committed just one error in 1973 and one in 1974, he began seeing more time at DH with Mike Hargrove assuming most of the first base duties. He regained the first base job in 1975 with Hargrove shifting to left field. By the start of the following season, Hargrove was shifted back to his natural position.
Spencer was traded twice in as many days at the 1975 Winter Meetings. He returned to the Angels along with $100,000 in exchange for Bill Singer on December 10. The reunion lasted only a day as he was sent with Morris Nettles to the Chicago White Sox for Bill Melton and Steve Dunning on December 11. In 1976, Spencer had career highs in hits (131), RBIs (70) and stolen bases (6). He played 143 games, and only had 2 errors throughout the season, turning 116 double plays, good for a .998 fielding percentage.
On May 14, 1977, Spencer enjoyed a two home run, eight RBI game against the Cleveland Indians. He followed that up with a second two home run, eight RBI game on July 2 against the Minnesota Twins. For the season, he batted .247 with eighteen home runs and 69 RBIs, and won his second career Gold Glove.
Jim Spencer
James Lloyd Spencer (July 30, 1947 – February 10, 2002) was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. Born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, the left-handed Spencer was recognized for his excellent fielding ability, but also served in later years as a designated hitter.
Spencer was drafted by the California Angels in the first round (11th overall) of the 1965 Major League Baseball draft upon graduation from Andover High School in Linthicum, Maryland. After batting .292 with 28 home runs and 96 runs batted in for the El Paso Sun Kings in 1968, Spencer earned a September call-up to the Angels. In nineteen games, he batted .191 with no home runs and five RBIs.
Spencer began the 1969 season assigned to the Hawaii Islanders, but with former All-Star Dick Stuart not panning out at first base, he was back with the Angels by May. In just his second start of the season, he went four-for-five against the Baltimore Orioles. For the season, he batted .254 with ten home runs and 31 RBIs.
While Spencer's offensive numbers improved in 1970, his fielding improved more-so, as he led the American League with 1,212 putouts at first and a .995 fielding percentage to win the Gold Glove award.
Injuries limited Spencer to 82 games in 1972.
Spencer was dealt along with Lloyd Allen from the Angels to the Texas Rangers for Mike Epstein, Rich Hand and Rick Stelmaszek on May 20, 1973. He was batting .300 for the Rangers when he was named to the AL All-Star team. He had one at-bat in the game, and flew out to left field. Despite the fact that Spencer committed just one error in 1973 and one in 1974, he began seeing more time at DH with Mike Hargrove assuming most of the first base duties. He regained the first base job in 1975 with Hargrove shifting to left field. By the start of the following season, Hargrove was shifted back to his natural position.
Spencer was traded twice in as many days at the 1975 Winter Meetings. He returned to the Angels along with $100,000 in exchange for Bill Singer on December 10. The reunion lasted only a day as he was sent with Morris Nettles to the Chicago White Sox for Bill Melton and Steve Dunning on December 11. In 1976, Spencer had career highs in hits (131), RBIs (70) and stolen bases (6). He played 143 games, and only had 2 errors throughout the season, turning 116 double plays, good for a .998 fielding percentage.
On May 14, 1977, Spencer enjoyed a two home run, eight RBI game against the Cleveland Indians. He followed that up with a second two home run, eight RBI game on July 2 against the Minnesota Twins. For the season, he batted .247 with eighteen home runs and 69 RBIs, and won his second career Gold Glove.
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