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Jim Spencer
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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.
Key Information
Early years
[edit]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.
California Angels
[edit]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.[1] 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.
Texas Rangers
[edit]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.[2] 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.[3] 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.
Chicago White Sox
[edit]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.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6] He followed that up with a second two home run, eight RBI game on July 2 against the Minnesota Twins.[7] For the season, he batted .247 with eighteen home runs and 69 RBIs, and won his second career Gold Glove.
New York Yankees
[edit]Spencer was acquired along with Tommy Cruz by the New York Yankees from the White Sox for Stan Thomas and cash on December 12, 1977. The transaction also included an exchange of minor-league right‐handed pitcher with Ed Ricks going to the White Sox and Bob Polinsky to the Yankees.[8] While backing up Chris Chambliss at first base, he saw most of his playing time at DH in New York. He reached the post-season for the first time in his career in 1978. Spencer did not appear in the 1978 American League Championship Series against the Kansas City Royals;[9] however, he appeared in four of the six games of the World Series, and had two hits in twelve at-bats.[10]
Spencer's career high in home runs (23) came in 1979 with the Yankees, in a year that he only got 295 at-bats. He only had 85 hits on the season, 41 of which were for extra bases, giving him a .593 slugging percentage. Perhaps his most memorable at-bat of the season took place on July 13 against Nolan Ryan. Ryan had a no-hitter going when Spencer hit a drive to center field in the eighth inning. Centerfielder Rick Miller made a diving attempt at the ball, but could not handle it. The official scorer ruled it an error.[11] Reggie Jackson officially ended Ryan's no-hit bid in the ninth.
During spring training 1981, Spencer was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jason Thompson, however the trade was nixed by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn.[12]
Spencer was traded along with Tom Underwood from the Yankees to the Oakland Athletics for Dave Revering, Mike Patterson and minor-league left-handed pitcher Chuck Dougherty on May 20, 1981.[13] He batted only .191 while in Oakland, and was released early in the 1982 season.
Career stats
[edit]| Seasons | Games | AB | Runs | Hits | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | Avg. | Slg. | Fld% |
| 15 | 1553 | 4908 | 541 | 1227 | 179 | 27 | 146 | 599 | 11 | 407 | 582 | .250 | .387 | .995 |
In 1973, Spencer had a .999 fielding percentage, with one error in the 125 games he played at first base. The next year, he had one error in 60 games at first base for a .998 fielding percentage.
Death
[edit]On February 10, 2002, Spencer died of a heart attack in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the age of 54. The night before his death, Spencer played first base in a charity baseball game benefiting the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida.[14] He was buried at the Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church Cemetery in Taneytown, Maryland.
References
[edit]- ^ "California Angels 4, Baltimore Orioles 3". Baseball-Reference.com. May 31, 1969.
- ^ "Angels Get Epstein, Hand In 5‐Man Deal With Rangers," United Press International (UPI), Sunday, May 20, 1973. Retrieved December 4, 2021
- ^ "1973 Major League Baseball All-Star Game". Baseball-Reference.com. July 24, 1973.
- ^ Koppett, Leonard. "Phils Obtain Kaat In 5‐Player Trade," The New York Times, Thursday, December 11, 1975. Retrieved May 2, 2020
- ^ Durso, Joseph. "Yanks Send Bonds to Angels for Pair And Medich to Pirates for 3 Players," The New York Times, Friday, December 12, 1975. Retrieved May 2, 2020
- ^ "Chicago White Sox 18, Cleveland Indians 2". Baseball-Reference.com. May 14, 1977.
- ^ "Chicago White Sox 13, Minnesota Twins 8". Baseball-Reference.com. July 2, 1977.
- ^ "Sports News Briefs," The New York Times, Tuesday, December 13, 1977. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ "1978 American League Championship Series". Baseball-Reference.com. October 3–7, 1978.
- ^ "1978 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. October 10–17, 1978.
- ^ "Ryan, Renko See No-hit Bids Spoiled in 9th Inning". The Pittsburgh Press. July 14, 1979.
- ^ Catherine Wolf (April 2, 1981). "Yanks Get Jason Thompson, But Trade Might be Invalid". The Daily Reporter.
- ^ "The New York Yankees Wednesday acquired left-handed hitting first...," United Press International (UPI), Wednesday, May 20, 1981. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ Richard Goldstein (February 14, 2002). "Obituaries: Jim Spencer, 54, First Baseman Who Played for 1978 Yankees". New York Times.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from MLB · ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Retrosheet · Baseball Almanac
- Retrosheet
Jim Spencer
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Birth and background
James Lloyd Spencer was born on July 30, 1947, in Hanover, Pennsylvania, near the Maryland border.[1][2] He was the first of two children born to Lloyd Benjamin Spencer, Jr. and Helen Louise Stone. His grandfather, Lloyd Benjamin "Ben" Spencer, played briefly as an outfielder for the Washington Senators in 1913.[1] Spencer grew up in suburban Baltimore, Maryland, and attended Andover High School in Linthicum, where he was a standout multi-sport athlete. He earned All-State and All-American honors in basketball, played soccer, and excelled in baseball as a pitcher and first baseman before a medical concern ended his pitching career. As a senior, he led the school in home runs and batting average (.408) and was named Outstanding Male Athlete in his class.[1] In the first MLB Amateur Draft in June 1965, Spencer was selected 11th overall by the California Angels directly out of high school.[2]Career
Jim Spencer played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball as a first baseman from 1968 to 1982. Drafted by the California Angels in the first round (11th overall) of the 1965 MLB Amateur Draft out of Andover High School, he made his MLB debut on September 7, 1968, with the Angels.[2][1]California Angels (1968-1973)
Spencer spent his early career primarily with the Angels, establishing himself as an elite defensive first baseman. In 1970, he won his first Gold Glove Award and led American League first basemen in putouts. He played a key role in the Angels' 1970 season, which saw the franchise's best win total at the time (86 wins). His offensive production was modest but included a power surge in 1971 with 18 home runs. He was traded to the Texas Rangers on May 20, 1973, along with Lloyd Allen in exchange for Mike Epstein, Rich Hand, and Rick Stelmaszek.[2][1]Texas Rangers (1973-1975)
With the Rangers, Spencer earned his only All-Star selection in 1973. His playing time diminished in 1974 and 1975, partly due to competition and platoon limitations against left-handed pitching. He was traded back to the Angels briefly in December 1975 (with $100,000 for Bill Singer) before being immediately traded to the Chicago White Sox along with Morris Nettles for Steve Dunning and Bill Melton.[2][1]Chicago White Sox (1976-1977)
Spencer enjoyed a resurgence with the White Sox, playing full-time in 1976 and winning his second Gold Glove in 1977. In 1977, he was part of the "South Side Hit Men" team that won 90 games, and he tied a franchise record with two eight-RBI games. His career fielding percentage at first base reached exceptional levels, contributing to his reputation as one of the most reliable fielders. He was traded to the New York Yankees on December 12, 1977.[2][1]New York Yankees (1978-1981)
Spencer served primarily as a platoon player and defensive specialist with the Yankees. He contributed to the 1978 World Series championship team, appearing in four games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 1979, he had a career-high offensive season with 23 home runs and a .593 slugging percentage in 295 at-bats. He signed a notable four-year contract before 1980 that included a clause guaranteeing starts against right-handed pitchers. He was traded to the Oakland Athletics on May 20, 1981, in a five-player deal.[2][1]Oakland Athletics (1981-1982) and Retirement
Spencer's final seasons with the Athletics were limited by reduced production and playing time. He was released on June 28, 1982, ending his MLB career at age 34. Over 1,553 games, he batted .250 with 146 home runs and 599 RBI, while posting a .995 career fielding percentage at first base—the highest in major league history at the time of his retirement. He was valued as a strong defender and left-handed platoon bat against right-handed pitching.[2]Personal life
James Lloyd Spencer was the son of Lloyd Benjamin Spencer, Jr., and Helen Louise Stone, and had one sister.[1] He married his high-school sweetheart, Frances Margaret Portera, on October 7, 1967, and they had two daughters, Jessica Leigh and Jaime Michele. The marriage ended in divorce in the late 1980s.[1] Spencer married Susan McDonnell on August 4, 1991.[1] After retiring from baseball, he returned to Maryland, where he owned a building in Taneytown that his parents had used for a restaurant. He also partnered in a seafood business in Anne Arundel County and wintered in Sarasota, Florida.[1] No further details on personal interests or hobbies are extensively documented in available sources.Death
Circumstances
Jim Spencer died of a heart attack on February 10, 2002, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the age of 54.[1][4][2] On February 9, 2002, he participated in a charity baseball game in Hollywood, Florida, benefiting the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. The next morning he felt unwell, returned to his hotel room to rest, and was found dead two hours later after suffering a heart attack. No preceding illness was reported.[1]Awards and nominations
Jim Spencer received recognition for his defensive excellence and contributions during his MLB career. He won two Rawlings Gold Glove Awards at first base in the American League:- 1970 with the California Angels[2][3]
- 1977 with the Chicago White Sox[2][3]