Jim Slaton
Encyclopedia
James Michael Slaton was a pitcher with a 16 year career from 1971-1986. He played in the American League
with the Milwaukee Brewers
from 1971–1977 and 1979–1983, the Detroit Tigers
in 1978 and 1986, and the California Angels
from 1984-1986.
Slaton played high school baseball at Antelope Valley High School
and then played college baseball at Antelope Valley College
.
He is the Brewers all-time leader in Wins (117), Innings Pitched (2025.3), Games Started (268), and Shutouts (19), and he is third in Strikeouts, trailing Teddy Higuera
and Ben Sheets
, and Complete Games, trailing Mike Caldwell.
He represented the Brewers and the American League in the 1977 All-Star
game and was the winning pitcher for the Brewers in the 4th game of the 1982 World Series against St. Louis.
After his playing career ended, he started coaching in the minor leagues. He coached in the Oakland Athletics
organization from 1992–1994 and then became the pitching coach for the Class A Daytona Cubs
(1995–1996), Lancaster Jethawks
(1997–98) and the Tacoma Rainiers
(1999–2003). In 2004 he was a special assignment coach for the Seattle Mariners
and from 2005-2007 he was the Mariners bullpen coach.
He was the pitching coach for the Las Vegas 51s
in 2008, also serving briefly as the bullpen coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers
when Ken Howell
temporarily left the team for medical reasons. After the season, the Dodgers announced that Slaton would be the pitching coach in 2009 for their new AAA affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes
, a position he held through 2010. In 2011, he was named the pitching coach at Camelback Ranch.
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
with the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
from 1971–1977 and 1979–1983, the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in 1978 and 1986, and the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
from 1984-1986.
Slaton played high school baseball at Antelope Valley High School
Antelope Valley High School
Antelope Valley High School is located in Lancaster, California, and is part of the Antelope Valley Union High School District, in northernmost Los Angeles County, California. It was founded in 1912. It is located near the western edge of the Mojave Desert...
and then played college baseball at Antelope Valley College
Antelope Valley College
Antelope Valley College is a comprehensive community college located in Lancaster, California, USA. It is operated by the Antelope Valley Community College District, with a primary service area of covering portions of Los Angeles and Kern counties...
.
He is the Brewers all-time leader in Wins (117), Innings Pitched (2025.3), Games Started (268), and Shutouts (19), and he is third in Strikeouts, trailing Teddy Higuera
Teddy Higuera
Teodoro Higuera Valenzuela is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for nine years for the Milwaukee Brewers of the American League.-Early career:...
and Ben Sheets
Ben Sheets
Ben M. Sheets is an American baseball starting pitcher who is currently a free agent. He is a four-time All-Star, but has been hampered with injury problems throughout his career.-Prep and college:...
, and Complete Games, trailing Mike Caldwell.
He represented the Brewers and the American League in the 1977 All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
game and was the winning pitcher for the Brewers in the 4th game of the 1982 World Series against St. Louis.
After his playing career ended, he started coaching in the minor leagues. He coached in the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
organization from 1992–1994 and then became the pitching coach for the Class A Daytona Cubs
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs are a minor league baseball team based in Daytona Beach, Florida. The team plays in the Florida State League , and is the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs major league club. The Cubs play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark; opened in 1914, the park seats 5,100 fans.The...
(1995–1996), Lancaster Jethawks
Lancaster JetHawks
The Lancaster JetHawks are a minor league baseball team of the California League located in Lancaster, California. The team is named for the city's association with the aerospace industry and plays its home games at Clear Channel Stadium...
(1997–98) and the Tacoma Rainiers
Tacoma Rainiers
The Tacoma Rainiers are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Pacific Coast League , and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners...
(1999–2003). In 2004 he was a special assignment coach for the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
and from 2005-2007 he was the Mariners bullpen coach.
He was the pitching coach for the Las Vegas 51s
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
in 2008, also serving briefly as the bullpen coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
when Ken Howell
Ken Howell
Kenneth Howell, Jr. , is a former professional baseball player.Howell was born in Detroit, Michigan, and pitched in the Major Leagues from 1984-90...
temporarily left the team for medical reasons. After the season, the Dodgers announced that Slaton would be the pitching coach in 2009 for their new AAA affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
, a position he held through 2010. In 2011, he was named the pitching coach at Camelback Ranch.