Jim Spencer
Encyclopedia
James Lloyd Spencer was a 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
.
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 , Spencer earned a September call-up to the Angels. In nineteen games, he batted .191 with no home runs and five RBIs.
, 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 , his fielding improved more-so, as he led the American League
with 1212 put-outs at first and a .995 fielding percentage
to win the Gold Glove award.
Injuries limited Spencer to 82 games in . A month into the season, Spencer was traded to the Texas Rangers
with Lloyd Allen
for Mike Epstein
, Rich Hand
and Rick Stelmaszek
.
. 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 , he began seeing more time at DH with Mike Hargrove
assuming most of the first base duties. He regained the first base job in with Hargrove shifting to left field, but after the season, he was dealt back to the Angels for Bill Singer
in order to allow Hargrove to shift back to his natural position. A day after acquiring him, the Angels traded Spencer and Morris Nettles
to the Chicago White Sox
for Steve Dunning
and Bill Melton
.
(131), RBIs (70) and stolen base
s (6). He played 143 games, and only had 2 errors throughout the season, turning 116 double play
s, good for a .998 fielding percentage.
On May 14, , 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.
Following the season, he was traded with minor leaguers Bob Polinsky and Tommy Cruz to the New York Yankees
for Stan Thomas
and minor leaguer Ed Ricks.
at first base, Spencer saw most of his playing time at DH in New York
. He reached the post-season for the first time in his career in . He did not appear in the 1978 American League Championship Series
against the Kansas City Royals
, however, he appeared in four of the six games of the World Series
, and had two hits in twelve at-bats.
Spencer's career high in home runs (23) came in 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 his a .593 slugging percentage. Perhaps his most memorable at-bat of the season occurred on July 13 against Nolan Ryan
. Ryan had a no-hitter going when Spencer hit a drive to centerfield
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. Reggie Jackson
officially ended Ryan's no-hit bid in the ninth.
During Spring training
, Spencer was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates
for Jason Thompson, however the trade was nixed by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn
. On May 20, he and pitcher Tom Underwood
were dealt to the Oakland Athletics
for Mike Patterson
, Dave Revering
and minor leaguer Chuck Dougherty.
Spencer batted only .191 while in Oakland, and was released early in the season.
in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
. Born in Hanover, Pennsylvania
Hanover, Pennsylvania
Hanover is a borough in York County, Pennsylvania, southwest of York and north-northwest of Baltimore, Maryland.The town is situated in a productive agricultural region. The population was 15,289 at the 2010 census. The borough is served by a 717 area code and the Zip Codes of 17331-34...
, the left-handed Spencer was recognized for his excellent fielding ability, but also served in later years as a designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
.
Early years
Spencer was drafted by the California Angels in the first round (11 overall) of the 1965 Major League Baseball Draft1965 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1965 Major League Baseball Draft is the first year in which a draft took place for Major League Baseball.In Major League Baseball's first Free Agent Amateur Draft, the Kansas City Athletics selected Arizona State sophomore Rick Monday as the number one pick...
upon graduation from Andover High School in Linthicum, Maryland
Linthicum, Maryland
Linthicum is a census-designated place and an unincorporated community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The population was 7,539 at the 2000 census. It is the approximate location of Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport...
. After batting
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.292 with 28 home runs and 96 runs batted in for the El Paso Sun Kings in , Spencer earned a September call-up to the Angels. In nineteen games, he batted .191 with no home runs and five RBIs.
California Angels
Spencer began the season assigned to the Hawaii IslandersHawaii Islanders
The Hawaii Islanders were a AAA minor league baseball team, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1961 through 1987. The Islanders were originally an affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics. They played their home games at Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu's Aloha Stadium...
, but with former 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...
Dick Stuart
Dick Stuart
Richard Lee Stuart was a Major League Baseball first baseman from 1958 to 1966 and 1969. In 1967 and 1968, he played in Japan for the Taiyo Whales. Throughout his baseball career, Stuart was known as a fine hitter, but a subpar fielder, garnering the unique nickname of "Dr. Strangeglove" for his...
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
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. For the season, he batted .254 with ten home runs and 31 RBIs.
While Spencer's offensive numbers improved in , his fielding improved more-so, as he led the American League
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 1212 put-outs at first and a .995 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
to win the Gold Glove award.
Injuries limited Spencer to 82 games in . A month into the season, Spencer was traded to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
with Lloyd Allen
Lloyd Allen
Lloyd Cecil Allen was a pitcher for the California Angels , Texas Rangers , and Chicago White Sox .In seven seasons he had an 8-25 win-loss record in 159 games, with 19 games started, 22 saves, 297⅓ innings pitched, 291 hits allowed, 183 runs allowed, 155 earned runs allowed, 19 home runs allowed,...
for Mike Epstein
Mike Epstein
Michael Peter Epstein , nicknamed SuperJew, is a former Major League Baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, and California Angels from –....
, Rich Hand
Rich Hand
Richard Allen Hand . He graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle and attended University of Puget Sound. He is a retired professional baseball player who played four seasons for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and California Angels of Major League Baseball...
and Rick Stelmaszek
Rick Stelmaszek
Richard Francis Stelmaszek is a former Major League Baseball catcher, and the current bullpen coach for the Minnesota Twins....
.
Texas Rangers
Spencer was batting .300 for the Rangers when he was named to the AL All-Star team1973 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1973 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 44th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 24, 1973 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, home of the...
. He had one at-bat in the game, and flew out to left field. Despite the fact that Spencer committed just one error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 1973 and one in , he began seeing more time at DH with Mike Hargrove
Mike Hargrove
Dudley Michael Hargrove is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. He is currently employed as an advisor with the Cleveland Indians....
assuming most of the first base duties. He regained the first base job in with Hargrove shifting to left field, but after the season, he was dealt back to the Angels for Bill Singer
Bill Singer
William Robert Singer is a former baseball pitcher with a 14-year career from 1964 to 1977. He played primarily for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the California Angels , spending his final two seasons with the Texas Rangers , Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays .-Los Angeles Dodgers:Singer made...
in order to allow Hargrove to shift back to his natural position. A day after acquiring him, the Angels traded Spencer and Morris Nettles
Morris Nettles
Morris Nettles is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played two seasons with the California Angels in the mid-1970s....
to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Steve Dunning
Steve Dunning
Steven John Dunning is a former professional baseball player who played seven seasons for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, California Angels, Montreal Expos, and Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball...
and Bill Melton
Bill Melton
William Edwin Melton , nicknamed "Beltin' Bill" or "Beltin' Melton", is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Chicago White Sox, California Angels and Cleveland Indians...
.
Chicago White Sox
In , Spencer had career highs in hitsHit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
(131), RBIs (70) and stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s (6). He played 143 games, and only had 2 errors throughout the season, turning 116 double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s, good for a .998 fielding percentage.
On May 14, , Spencer enjoyed a two home run, eight RBI game against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. He followed that up with a second two home run, eight RBI game on July 2 against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. For the season, he batted .247 with eighteen home runs and 69 RBIs, and won his second career Gold Glove.
Following the season, he was traded with minor leaguers Bob Polinsky and Tommy Cruz to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Stan Thomas
Stan Thomas (baseball)
Stanley Brown Thomas is a former professional baseball pitcher. Thomas pitched in all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball from 1974 until 1977....
and minor leaguer Ed Ricks.
New York Yankees
While backing up Chris ChamblissChris Chambliss
Carroll Christopher Chambliss is a former Major League Baseball player who played from to for the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves...
at first base, Spencer saw most of his playing time at DH in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He reached the post-season for the first time in his career in . He did not appear in the 1978 American League Championship Series
1978 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 3, 1978 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, MissouriPrior to the start of this game, both teams had to deal with bad news. Ron Guidry, he of the incredible 25–3 Cy Young Award-winning season, would be unavailable to start until Game 4, if played, at least...
against the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, however, he appeared in four of the six games of the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
, and had two hits in twelve at-bats.
Spencer's career high in home runs (23) came in 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 his a .593 slugging percentage. Perhaps his most memorable at-bat of the season occurred on July 13 against Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
. Ryan had a no-hitter going when Spencer hit a drive to centerfield
Centerfield
Centerfield is an album by musician John Fogerty, released in 1985. It was his most popular post-Creedence album, containing the hit singles "The Old Man Down the Road", "Rock and Roll Girls" and the title track "Centerfield". Fogerty played all the instruments on this album himself, thanks to...
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. Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
officially ended Ryan's no-hit bid in the ninth.
During Spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, Spencer was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for Jason Thompson, however the trade was nixed by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn
Bowie Kuhn
Bowie Kent Kuhn was an American lawyer and sports administrator who served as the fifth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from February 4, , to September 30,...
. On May 20, he and pitcher Tom Underwood
Tom Underwood
Thomas Gerald Underwood was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , St...
were dealt to 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....
for Mike Patterson
Mike Patterson (baseball)
Michael Lee Patterson is a former Major League Baseball Outfielder. Patterson played for the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees in and . He batted left and threw right-handed....
, Dave Revering
Dave Revering
David Alvin Revering , is a former Major League Baseball first baseman from 1978-1982. Revering graduated from Bella Vista High School...
and minor leaguer Chuck Dougherty.
Spencer batted only .191 while in Oakland, and was released early in the season.
Career stats
In 1973, Spencer had a .999 fielding percentage with only one error in the 125 games he played at first base. The next year, he had only 1 error in 60 games at first base, a .998 fielding percentage. Spencer died of a heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, on the Atlantic coast. It is the county seat of Broward County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,521. It is a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which was home to 5,564,635 people at the 2010...
.