Doc McJames

Who was Doc McJames?

James McCutchen James was a professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of six seasons with the Washington Senators, Baltimore Orioles and Brooklyn Superbas. He was the National League strikeout champion in 1897 with the Washington Senators. For his career, he compiled a 79–80 record in 178 appearances, with a 3.43 ERA and 593 strikeouts.

Following his breakout year with the Washington Senators he was sold to the Baltimore Orioles where he achieved stardom with a 27–15 record, pitched 40 complete games in 42 starts, and had an earned run average of 2.36. He was second in the league with 178 strikeouts, fourth in ERA and fourth in complete games. For many years that team would be considered one of the best ever. With James as star pitcher the team included such baseball legends as John McGraw, Willie Keeler, Hughie Jennings, Wild Bill Donovan and other stars of the baseball world.

The following season the owners of the Baltimore Orioles purchased a half interest in the Brooklyn Bridegrooms and took their best players with them. This included James, Jennings, Keeler, Jim Hughes and Joe Kelley. During the final game of 1899, his first season with the Superbas, James came within one out of throwning a no-hitter in his 4–0 victory over the Boston Beaneaters. The no-hitter was spoiled by future Hall-of-Famer Hugh Duffy with a ninth-inning single.