Books and articles about Jim Lemon

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Combining power, speed, and an exceptional arm, Lemon joined the Indians in 1950 but lost 1951 and 1952 to the Korean War. Sold to the Senators in May 1954, in 1956 he hit 27 home runs and led the AL in triples and in double plays by an outfielder. That August 31 he became the first Senator to hit three consecutive home runs. Lemon led the AL in strikeouts three years in a row (1956-58); his 138 strikeouts in 1956 (in a 154-game season) set a record. On September 5, 1959 he tied two ML records by hitting two homers and driving in six runs in one inning. He had 100 RBI in both 1959 and 1960. In 1960 he chased Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris for the AL home run crown, losing to Mantle 40 to 38. Slowed by injuries in 1961 and 1962, he attempted a comeback as a first baseman with the Phillies in 1963. He coached for the Twins from 1965 to 1967 and managed the Senators to their usual last-place finish in 1968. Replaced by Ted Williams for 1969, he remained in baseball as a batting coach, mainly with the Twins. (MC)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » July 19, 1955: Chattanooga (SA) OF Jim Lemon clouts four home runs in the league's all-star contest, as the all-stars defeat the first-place Birmingham club 10-5. » August 31, 1956: President Dwight D. Eisenhower is in attendance as Jim Lemon of the Senators slugs three consecutive HRs in a night game against the Yankees, but New York still wins 6-4. » September 26, 1956: Jim Lemon of the Senators sets a ML record for strikeouts by a batter in one season with 138. This surpasses Larry Doby's mark of 121, set in 1953. The Senators lose to the Red Sox 8-4. » September 5, 1959: Jim Lemon of Washington knocks in 6 runs in the 3rd inning, on 2 HRs, tying 2 ML records. Washington scores 10 in the inning to triumph over Cleveland 14-2. » June 12, 1960: The Tigers and Senators combine for 11 homers in their DH split, with the Nats hitting eight roundtrippers. Jim Lemon hits three homers, one in game 1, an 8–2 win, and a pair in the nitecap loss, 12–5. Colavito has a pair in the nitecap for Detroit and winning pitcher Frank Lary also goes deep. » September 18, 1960: The surprising 4th-place Senators fall to a game above .500 when Ted Williams' 2-run home run off Pedro Ramos gives Boston a 2–1 win. Muffett allows just three hits, including Jim Lemon's 38th home run, in a quick one hr: 40 minute win. A late collapse—15 losses in the final 18 games—will drop Washington to 5th place, but that will still be the club's best finish in seven years. The club will continue its improvement in Minnesota. » June 9, 1963: The Phils score five runs in the 9th inning on homers by Don Demeter, Jim Lemon and Johnny Callison to tie the Reds 7–7. Philadelphia scores again in the 10th inning to win 8–7. » November 27, 1967: The New York Mets send P Bill Denehy and $100,000 to the Senators for Washington's manager, Gil Hodges. Jim Lemon is named manager of the Senators. » January 29, 1969: Washington manager Jim Lemon is fired.