Books and articles about Jim Sundberg

Sundberg became the Rangers' regular catcher after a single season of AA ball, batting .298 and demonstrating great defensive skills. For a decade he averaged 140 games per season behind the plate. In his second big league season, he tied the AL record for games caught with 155. Seven times he led AL receivers in fielding average, and he led in putouts and assists six times each. He was also deadly at gunning down would-be basestealers, nailing as many as 50% in a season. Sundberg was the only catcher to be awarded six Gold Gloves, and on his retirement in 1989 was in third place for career games caught.

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Offensively, Sundberg tried to pull everything early in his career but eventually developed into a productive .270 hitter for a number of years. (FO)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » January 10, 1973: In the January amateur draft, the Phillies pick Dick Ruthven, the Rangers take C Jim Sundberg, and the Cubs pick RHP Donnie Moore. The Reds pick Southern Miss punter Ray Guy on the 3rd round, but he chooses the NFL instead. » September 3, 1976: Rangers catcher Jim Sundberg records three assists in the 5th inning of a 4–1 win over the Royals. He becomes only the 7th perpetrator of this feat in ML history. » December 4, 1976: Aurelio Rodriguez becomes the first American League 3B since 1959 to beat out Brooks Robinson for the Gold Glove Award. Other Newcomers on TSN fielding team include 3B Mike Schmidt, OF Dwight Evans, and C Jim Sundberg, who would combine to win 24 awards. » April 10, 1980: At Arlington Stadium, Jon Matlack and the Yankees Ron Guidry both pitch shutout ball for nine innings before being lifted. In the 12th, Goose Gossage relieves with Mickey Rivers on 3rd and Richie Zisk at the plate. His first pitch is wild allowing Rivers to score the games on run. Gossage also lost the '78 Opener when Zisk took him deep in the 9th. Each team manages just four hits in the contest with Bob Watson and Jim Sundberg each collecting three of them. » January 18, 1985: In a 4-team trade, the Brewers send catcher Jim Sundberg to Kansas City and receive pitchers Danny Darwin from Texas and Tim Leary from the Mets. The Mets receive pitcher Frank Wills from the Royals, who also send catcher Don Slaught to Texas. C Bill Hance goes from Texas to Milwaukee. » September 30, 1985: Bret Saberhagen pitches a CG win over the Angels to win his 20th game of the year. The win gives the Royals a tie for 1st place in the A.L. West. George Brett and Jim Sundberg homer for KC. » March 30, 1987: The Kansas City Royals swap C Jim Sundberg to the Cubs for OF Thad Bosley and P Dave Gumpert.