Doc McJames

James McCutchen McJames
born James McCutchen James

• Bats Unknown, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 165 lb.
• School University of South Carolina, Charleston Medical College, Baltimore College of Physicians and Surgeons
• Debut September 24, 1895
• Final Game July 13, 1901
• Born August 27, 1874 in Williamsburg County, SC USA
• Died September 23, 1901 in Charleston, SC USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Doc McJames spent six seasons in the majors.

He was the star pitcher on the Baltimore Orioles in 1898, a team that won 96 games. He had the most wins and also the most losses on the pitching staff.

The next season, in 1899, he was less successful, going 19-15 on a Brooklyn Superbas team that won 101 games and the pennant. The other three starters each won at least 23 games. Several of the Orioles from 1898 came over the Superbas with McJames, including Hughie Jennings, Willie Keeler and Joe Kelley, as Brooklyn went from 10th in the league in 1898 to 1st in 1899. There were close links between the two teams as a result of syndicate ownership.

He was released in July 1901 by the Superbas, and died only two months later. He died in a one-vehicle horse and buggy accident. He was thrown from a carriage by a runaway horse, and died a few days later from his injuries.

"Gene DeMontreville, the former Washington player, who has signed with New Orleans, is of the opinion that Turner's days as a star player are at an end. He says that Dr. McJames, the former Brooklyn pitcher, had a similar ailment and states that McJames explained his case by saying that every time he threw the loosened ligaments stretched still more until they became so weakened that he was scarcely able to raise his arm above his head. Turner does not think that his case is so serious." - from Sporting Life, April 10, 1909

Notable Achievements

• NL Strikeouts Leader (1897)
• NL Shutouts Leader (1897)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 1 (1898)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 4 (1896-1899)
• 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1897 & 1898)

Related Sites

• Doc McJames at the SABR Bio Project