Red Bird

James Edward Bird

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 11", Weight 170 lb.

• Debut September 17, 1921
• Final Game September 17, 1921
• Born April 25, 1890 in Stephenville, TX USA
• Died March 15, 1972 in Murfreesboro, AR USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Red Bird pitched a single game in the major leagues at the age of 31, but was a veteran of many minor league seasons.

Bird's game came with the 1921 Washington Senators on September 17, 1921 against the Cleveland Indians at Griffith Stadium. The Indians knocked out starter George Mogridge with one out in the second inning and Frank Woodward came in on relief and pitched through the fourth when he was pinch-hit for. It was then Bird's turn to pitch. He finished the game, pitching 5 innings, facing 21 batters and allowing 3 runs. He struck out two and walked one batter and hit future Hall of Famer Joe Sewell with a pitch. As a batter, he struck out in his lone at-bat.

Bird continued to pitch in the minors for many years - he was 9-13, 4.59 for the 1922 Shreveport Gassers and 12-13 for the 1922 St. Joseph Saints, a busy year. In '23, Red was 11-11, 3.71 for the Memphis Chickashaws and Mobile Bears. The next season, he had a 4-6, 3.62 year for Mobile and the Nashville Volunteers. He was also 8-6 with a 2.98 ERA for the Galveston Sand Crabs. In 1925, the man with the colorful name had a 23-7, 3.90 year for the Houston Buffaloes and the Waco Cubs. He tied Paul Wachtel for the Texas League lead in victories and was in the top 10 in ERA. At 36, Red was 6-4 with a 3.26 for the Fort Worth Panthers. He finished his career in 1927 by going 1-2, 2.45 for Fort Worth and the Oklahoma City Indians.

Related Sites

Find-A-Grave Memorial for Red Bird