A Boston sportswriter described the tall, slender Whitney: "He has a head about the
size of a wart, with a forehead slanting at an angle of 45 degrees." "Grasshopper
Jim" joined Boston in 1881 and led the NL in both wins (31) and losses (33) as a
rookie. In 1883, he was 37-21 as Boston won the pennant. A strong hitter, he often
batted cleanup and was usually stationed in centerfield when he was not on the mound.
His pitching slump in the next three seasons was blamed by some on the rule change
that allowed overhand pitching. After a 24-21 comeback with Washington in 1887, his
skills eroded rapidly. He pitched his last game in 1890 and died the following spring
of tuberculosis.
(BC)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»November 11, 1880: Boston signs P Jim Whitney, considered one of the best hurlers in California, at a salary of $150 per month.
»March 28, 1889: Indianapolis trades P Jim "Egyptian" Healy to Washington for veteran P Jim Whitney.
»June 14, 1952:
Warren Spahn of the Braves ties the NL record of Jim Whitney with 18 strikeouts against the Cubs in a 15-inning, 3-1 loss. Hal Jeffcoat's 2-run triple wins it,
while Spahn's HR is the only Boston score. Meanwhile, Braves scout Dewey Griggs signs Henry Aaron to a Braves contract.
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