Jim Bluejacket

James Bluejacket
born William Lincoln Smith

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2½", Weight 200 lb.
• High School Cherokee Nation Male Seminary
• Debut August 6, 1914
• Final Game July 16, 1916
• Born July 8, 1887 in Adair, Indian Territory USA
• Died March 26, 1947 in Pekin, IL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Jim Bluejacket pitched 44 big league games, 41 of them coming with the doomed Federal League's Brooklyn Tip Tops franchise. On September 7, 1914, he won a game without throwing a pitch. He entered in relief of Rudy Sommers and picked off a runner to leave Brooklyn in Tip Top shape after 7 1/2 innings. The only other time this is known to have happened in a major league game was to B.J. Ryan in 2003. Following the loop's demise, Jim made three appearances for the Cincinnati Reds in 1916, crafting a 7.71 ERA.

Jim was a member of the Cherokee nation and one of the first Native Americans to play big league ball. He legally changed his name because "William Smith" was so common that he had trouble getting his mail as he traveled around the country, although there are other theories as well. He played for various minor league teams throughout the Midwest when not in the bigs. After his playing days, he worked as a welder and also lived in Aruba for 15 years. He worked there for the Standard Oil Company, which had an oil production facility on the Caribbean island. During his free time, he taught baseball to local children. A street in Oranjestad is named in his honor as a result.

He is the great grandfather of Bill Wilkinson and minor league pitcher Brian Wilkinson. Bluejacket and his contemporary, Ben Tincup, are the only two major leaguers born in Adair, OK.

Related Sites

• Jim Bluejacket at the SABR Bio Project
• A biography and obituary can be found here: [genealogytrails.com/ill/tazewell/bio/bio_bluejacket_family.htm]