Jim Busby

Who was Jim Busby?

James Franklin Busby was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball and right-handed batter who played for the Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and Houston Colt .45's.

Busby was born in Kenedy, Texas, and attended Texas Christian University. He was signed by the White Sox as an amateur free agent in 1948 and made his major league debut in the 1950 season.

A fast runner and a good contact hitter, Busby was a superb outfielder who committed only 16 errors in 3394 total chances. He was an All-Star in 1951.

In his 13-year career Busby batted .262, with 48 home runs, 438 RBI, 541 runs, 1113 hits, 162 doubles, 35 triples, and 97 stolen bases in 1352 games. When his career ended, in the middle of the 1962 season, he became a coach for Houston, then spent eight seasons on the staff of the Atlanta Braves, before moving back to the American League to finish his coaching career with the White Sox and Seattle Mariners. Jim Busby died in Augusta, Georgia, at 69 years of age.