Jim French

Richard James French

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 7", Weight 182 lb.
• School Ohio University, Indiana University
• High School Williamsfield (OH) High School
• Debut September 12, 1965
• Final Game May 9, 1971
• Born August 13, 1941 in Warren, OH USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Catcher Jim French played seven seasons in the majors, all with the Washington Senators.

French was born in Warren, OH, in northeastern Ohio. His parents ran a dairy farm nearby. He attended Ohio University from 1960 to 1963, and his time there overlapped with that of Joe Nossek and Tom Fisher. In high school and college he pitched and caught.

Jim played seven years in the minors, beginning in 1963 with the Wisconsin Rapids Senators, for whom he hit .286. The only other future major leaguer on the team was Dick Nold.

French came to the majors for cups of coffee in 1965, 1966 and 1967, but throughout his major league career he spent part of each season in the minors except for 1969 and 1970. He had his most major league games and at-bats in 1970, with 69 games and 166 at-bats for manager Ted Williams. That year, French hit only .211 but his .358 OBP was one of the highest on the team.

French, in addition to getting his college degree, earned a master's degree in finance from Indiana University. He also passed the bar exam in California and Colorado and became a securities attorney.

Related Sites

• Jim French at the SABR Bio Project