Jim Golden

James Edward Golden

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.
• School Washburn University of Topeka
• High School Silver Lake High School
• Debut September 30, 1960
• Final Game April 23, 1963
• Born March 20, 1936 in Eldon, MO USA

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Biographical Information

Jim Golden pitched four years in the major leagues. Most of his games were in 1961, with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and in 1962, with the expansion Houston Colt .45s.

Golden made his major league debut in 1960 with one start for the Dodgers, which he won. The next year, he appeared in 28 games, all in relief, and after the season was drafted in the expansion draft. In 1962, he was a starter-reliever for the Colt .45's in their inaugural year, tying for third on the team in wins with 7. In 1963, he was in three games for Houston.

Jim was involved in a couple of trades involving big names. In 1958, after several years in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, he was in the trade that brought Rip Repulski to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Sparky Anderson, who would become a major league regular with the Phils in 1959 while Repulski would play in the 1959 World Series with the Dodgers. In 1963, Golden was part of a trade that brought Nellie Fox to Houston.

Jim was in the minors between 1954 and 1964. His most notable year was 1960, when he went 20-9 for the St. Paul Saints, although he won in double figures five times in his minor league career.

He also was a pretty decent hitter (for a pitcher) in the minors. In 1956 with the Bakersfield Boosters, he hit .321 and slugged .536 in 56 at-bats. He also hit at least .250 in 1958, 1959 and 1963.

Through 2008 he is one of three major league players with the last name Golden. The others are Roy Golden and Mike Golden.

There were rumors that he passed away in November 2024, however they have yet to be substantiated.

Related Sites

• Jim Golden at the SABR Bio Project