Jim Nealon

James Joseph Nealon

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1"

• Debut April 12, 1906
• Final Game September 6, 1907
• Born December 15, 1884 in San Francisco, CA USA
• Died April 2, 1910 in San Francisco, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Jim Nealon, also called Joe Nealon, became the everyday first baseman for the 1906 Pittsburgh Pirates at age 21, tying for the National League lead in RBI. His teammate Honus Wagner tied for the league lead in runs scored, so Nealon must have driven him home many times. Nealon was not as effective in 1907, his last major league season, although his batting average was a tad higher at .257.

In 1908 the regular first baseman became Harry Swacina, hitting only .216.

Jim died at age 25.

The book "Stolen! A History of Base Stealing" indicates that in a game in 1906 when Hank O'Day was umpiring and Fred Clarke was on third base, Jim Nealon was batting. A pitch came across the plate, and Nealon and Clarke thought it was ball four, so Nealon went to first and Clarke trotted home. Only when Clarke crossed the plate did O'Day call "strike", and Nealon had to return home to bat again. Clarke, however, was called safe at home on what was credited as a steal of home plate.

Notable Achievements

• NL RBI Leader (1906)

Related Sites

• Joe Nealon at the SABR Bio Project
• Baseball History Daily article on Joe Nealon pt. 1
• Baseball History Daily article on Joe Nealon pt. 2