Jim Rushford

James Thomas Rushford

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
• School San Diego State University
• High School Maine South High School
• Debut September 3, 2002
• Final Game September 29, 2002
• Born March 24, 1974 in Chicago, IL USA

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Biographical Information

Jim Rushford appeared in 23 games as an outfielder with the Milwaukee Brewers at age 28 in 2002. After, he continued to play in the minor leagues, making his last appearance in the Golden Baseball League in 2010. He never made it back to the majors, however.

Rushford went to Maine South High School in the Chicago area then attended San Diego State University and played independent ball in 1996-1997 and 1999-2000. He was mostly an outfielder but also pitched in 30 games in 1996, 1997 and 1999. As a hitter, he hit over .320 in 1996 and 2000.

He was signed as a free agent by the Brewers in 2000 and played in the California League in 2001, hitting .363 and slugging slugging .625 in half a season, before coming up to the Southern League where he hit .342. He was chosen as the 2001 Brewers Minor League Player of the Year. The next year, 2002, he was mostly with the Indianapolis Indians of the the Triple A American Association, hitting .316, and came up to the majors in September. He was one of four players to get over 150 innings in right field with the Brewers, as their most commonly used right fielder, Jeffrey Hammonds, actually spent more time in center field than in right field.

The Brewers granted him free agency and he signed with the Texas Rangers for 2003. He struggled in 24 games with them in Triple A ball and was released. The Brewers signed him again and he hit .311 in Triple A for them.

In 2004-2006 he has mostly been with the Philadelphia Phillies Triple A club in the International League, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. He was an All-Star in 2004 and hit .312 in 2005. In 2006, he hit .262 with the Double A Reading Phillies and .272 with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, with little power.

His lifetime minor league average in seven season in the affiliated minors was .296. He also hit .322 in six seasons in independent leagues. He has also played in the Venezuelan Winter League and in the Mexican Pacific League.

When not playing baseball he has worked as a roofer, delivery man, professional trainer, mover and bouncer.