Jim Cohen

James Clarence Cohen
(Fireball)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 190 lb.

• Debut 1948
• Final Game 1948
• Born March 26, 1918 in Evergreen, AL USA
• Died April 23, 2002 in Washington, DC USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Jim Cohen pitched for seven seasons in the Negro Leagues and was once an All-Star.

Cohen worked in the Pennsylvania coal mines after high school; while there, he began playing baseball in the coal camps. He got more baseball experience playing against other servicemen while serving in the US Army during World War II. Exiting the service shortly before his 28th birthday, he signed with the Indianapolis Clowns, for whom he spent his whole pro career.

Jim was 0-1 in 1947 and 3-8 with a 3.90 ERA in 1948. He still pitched for the East in the second 1948 East-West Game, relieving Webbo Clarke in the 4th. He allowed singles to George Crowe and Bill Cash sandwiched around a Herb Souell error, then Dave Barnhill grounded in Crowe. He was relieved by Roberto Vargas in the 6th of a 6-1 loss for the West. Cohen gave up three hits, one walk and one unearned run in two innings, while fanning none.

Cohen played in the Venezuelan League in the winter of 1948-1949 and had a 2-3, 3.64 record for the 1950 Clowns. He drove the team bus and was business manager for Indianapolis in addition to pitching before he retired from baseball from 1952. From 1957-1982, he worked for the US Postal Service.

Cohen threw a fastball, curveball, slider, changeup and knuckleball.

Notable Achievements

• NAL All-Star (1948)

Sources

• Black Baseball's National Showcase by Larry Lester
• The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues by James Riley
• The Complete Book of Baseball's Negro Leagues by John Holway