Jim Lonborg

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=#263473
bgcolor2=#A50024
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=Jim Lonborg
position=Pitcher
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate =birth date and age|1942|4|16
city-state|Santa Maria|California
debutdate=April 23
debutyear=by|1965
debutteam=Boston Red Sox
finaldate=June 10
finalyear=by|1979
finalteam=Philadelphia Phillies
stat1label=Win-Loss record
stat1value=157-137
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=3.86
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=1,475
teams=
* Boston Red Sox (by|1965-by|1971)
* Milwaukee Brewers (by|1972)
* Philadelphia Phillies (by|1973-by|1979)
highlights=
* All-Star selection (1967)
* 1967 AL Cy Young Award
* 1967 AL TSN Pitcher of the Year

James Reynold Lonborg (born April 16, 1942) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played with the Boston Red Sox (1965-71), Milwaukee Brewers (1972) and Philadelphia Phillies (1973-79). He was known as "Gentleman Jim" during his 15 year career for his fearlessness for pitching on the inside of the plate.

Born in Santa Maria, California, Lonborg graduated from Stanford University.

He enjoyed his best year in the Carl Yastrzemski-led by|1967 Red Sox' "Impossible Dream" season, when he led American League pitchers in wins (22), games started (39), and strikeouts (246). That year, the Red Sox were involved in a four-way race for the American League pennant with the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox; the race was reduced to three teams after the White Sox lost a doubleheader to the Kansas City Athletics on September 27. The Red Sox and Twins faced each other in the season's final series and entered the final day (October 1) tied for first place; the Tigers were 1/2 game out of first and needed to sweep a doubleheader from the California Angels to force a playoff between the winner of the Red Sox-Twins game. Lonborg outdueled Twins ace Dean Chance in that finale, while the Tigers defeated the Angels in the first game but lost the second, putting the Red Sox in the World Series for the first time since by|1946. In that World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Lonborg pitched what was only the fourth one-hitter in Series history. In addition, he received the Cy Young Award (becoming the first pitcher in Red Sox history to win the Cy Young Award), played in the All-Star game, and finished prominently in voting for the MVP award (6th in the voting, Yastrzemski winning the award).

In his 15-year career, Lonborg compiled a 157-137 record with 1475 strikeouts, a 3.86 ERA, 24 complete games, 15 shutouts, and 2464.1 innings in 425 games.

After retiring, Lonborg attended the Tufts University Dental School and has worked as a dentist in Hanover, Massachusetts since. He is active in many nonprofit organizations including Catholic Charities, Little League Baseball, and The Jimmy Fund. He currently lives in Scituate, Massachusetts.

Jim Lonborg was selected to the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2002.

On the Boston-based sitcom "Cheers", the photo of Sam Malone pitching is that of Lonborg. Sam also wore Lonborg's number 16.

ee also

* List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
* List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions
* List of Major League Baseball wins champions
* MLB All-Time Hit Batsmen List

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/l/lonboji01.shtml Career statistics and analysis at "Baseball Reference"]