Jim Spencer

James Lloyd Spencer
(Spence)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
• High School: Andover High School
• Debut September 7, 1968
• Final Game June 20, 1982
• Born July 30, 1947 in Hanover, PA USA
• Died February 10, 2002 in Fort Lauderdale, FL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Jim Spencer was one of the best defensive first basemen of his era and a key contributor to the New York Yankees teams that won the 1978 World Series and reached the 1980 ALCS. Spencer was drafted in the first round of the 1965 amateur draft and is second, only to first overall pick Rick Monday, in career home runs from that draft class.

Jim was the grandson of Ben Spencer who played for the Washington Senators in 1913. In 1963, Jim played in the Hearst Sandlot All-Star game at Yankee Stadium and hit a home run. Jim was named co-MVP of the Texas League in 1968 playing for the El Paso Sun Kings, an honor shared with Bill Sudakis.

Jim died from a heart attack in February 2002. The night before his death, he played first base in a charity baseball game benefitting the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, FL.

Notable Achievements

• 1968 Player of the Year Texas League El Paso Sun Kings
• AL All-Star (1973)
• 2-time AL Gold Glove Winner (1970 & 1977)
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1979)
• Won a World Series with the New York Yankees in 1978

Related Sites

• Jim Spencer at the SABR Bio Project