Jim Hearn

Infobox MLB retired
name=Jim Hearn
position=Pitcher


bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=April 11, 1921
city-state|Atlanta|Georgia
deathdate=death date and age|1998|6|10|1921|4|11
city-state|Boca Raton|Florida
debutdate= April 17
debutyear= 1947
debutteam= St. Louis Cardinals
finaldate=May 15
finalyear=1959
finalteam= Philadelphia Phillies
stat1label=Pitching record
stat1value=109-89
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=3.81
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=669
teams=
* St. Louis Cardinals (1947-1950)
* New York Giants (1950-1956)
* Philadelphia Phillies (1957-1959)
highlights=
*1952 National League All-Star

James Tolbert "Jumbo Jim" Hearn (April 11 1921 – June 10 1998) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for 13 seasons (1947-59).

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Hearn attended Georgia Tech and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in by|1942. He spent two years in the minor leagues and three in military service during World War II, before being called up in by|1947. After compiling a 21-17 record for the Cardinals over all or parts of four seasons, he was placed on waivers and claimed by the New York Giants on July 10, by|1950. He then went on to lead the National League in earned run average (2.49) and win 11 of 14 decisions for manager Leo Durocher that season.

Hearn was a crucial member of the by|1951 Giants' starting rotation, winning 17 games and helping them overcome a 13½-game mid-August deficit to the Brooklyn Dodgers to win the NL pennant. He defeated the Dodgers 3-1 in Game 1 of the NL pennant playoff, and pitched effectively in the 1951 World Series, defeating the eventual champion New York Yankees 6-2 in his only start, in Game 3 at the Polo Grounds. He gave up only one earned run in the Series, for a Fall Classic ERA of 1.04.

Hearn pitched in New York for five more seasons, but compiled only a 50-54 record through 1956. The following season he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, where he had some success as a relief pitcher. During his last season (by|1959), Hearn was involved in a bizarre episode. On May 10, he pitched 1⅓ innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates and gave up two runs before the game was suspended. He was given his unconditional release 12 days later. The suspended game was resumed in July, and Pittsburgh held on to win. Thus Hearn was charged with a loss, weeks after his career had ended.

Overall, Hearn appeared in 396 games, winning 109, losing 89, with an ERA of 3.81. He was an excellent golfer and opened a golf school after his baseball career ended. He died at age 77 in Boca Grande, Florida.

External links

*baseball-reference|id=h/hearnji01