Jim Duckworth
Encyclopedia
James Raymond 'Jim' Duckworth (born May 24, 1939 in National City, California, United States), is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the major leagues from 1963-1966.
Duckworth was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers
as an amateur free agent in 1957. He was selected in the 1959 minor league draft by the Cincinnati Redlegs
. Duckworth still hadn't made the major leagues when the Washington Senators
selected him in the 1962 Rule 5 draft.
Duckworth was on Washington's 1963 opening day roster. He won his first big league game in relief against the New York Yankees
on May 26, 1963.
While playing for the Senators in 1964, Duckworth missed a series in California due to his fear of flying
. Washington docked him three days pay.
On September 4, 1965, Duckworth struck out eight of the first nine Detroit Tigers
batters he faced. He finished the game with eleven strikeouts in seven innings pitched.
In June 1966, the Senators traded Duckworth to the Kansas City Athletics
for Ken Harrelson
. Only a little over a month later, Kansas City traded Duckworth back to Washington. Duckworth played his last major league game with Kansas City on July 24, 1966.
Duckworth was a notoriously poor hitter, with a career batting average of .034. He struck out thirty-nine times in fifty-nine at-bats and only managed two hits.
After his playing days were over, Duckworth worked for the California Highway Patrol
.
Duckworth was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
as an amateur free agent in 1957. He was selected in the 1959 minor league draft by the Cincinnati Redlegs
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. Duckworth still hadn't made the major leagues when the Washington Senators
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
selected him in the 1962 Rule 5 draft.
Duckworth was on Washington's 1963 opening day roster. He won his first big league game in relief against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
on May 26, 1963.
While playing for the Senators in 1964, Duckworth missed a series in California due to his fear of flying
Fear of flying
A fear of flying is a fear of being on an airplane , or other flying vehicle, such as a helicopter, while in flight. It is also sometimes referred to as aerophobia, aviatophobia, aviophobia or pteromerhanophobia....
. Washington docked him three days pay.
On September 4, 1965, Duckworth struck out eight of the first nine Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
batters he faced. He finished the game with eleven strikeouts in seven innings pitched.
In June 1966, the Senators traded Duckworth to the Kansas City Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Ken Harrelson
Ken Harrelson
Kenneth Smith Harrelson , nicknamed "The Hawk" due to his distinctive profile, is a former All-Star first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball...
. Only a little over a month later, Kansas City traded Duckworth back to Washington. Duckworth played his last major league game with Kansas City on July 24, 1966.
Duckworth was a notoriously poor hitter, with a career batting average of .034. He struck out thirty-nine times in fifty-nine at-bats and only managed two hits.
After his playing days were over, Duckworth worked for the California Highway Patrol
California Highway Patrol
The California Highway Patrol is a law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of California. The CHP has patrol jurisdiction over all California highways and also acts as the state police....
.