Jim McAndrew – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jim McAndrew wrapped up his baseball career quietly in 1974 after seven seasons in the major leagues. His journey from a small Iowa farm to the big leagues stands out as one of baseball’s most compelling underdog stories.

He started high school at just 5 feet tall and 95 pounds. McAndrew looked like a long shot for pro baseball, but he became a key pitcher for the legendary 1969 New York Mets championship team.

McAndrew called it a career in 1974 after playing his final season with the San Diego Padres. He capped off a seven-year run that began with the New York Mets in 1968.

He pushed through injuries and some pretty notorious bad luck, like being shut out by opposing pitchers in his first four major league starts. Still, the right-hander from Lost Nation, Iowa, managed to carve out a respectable career during an era full of pitching legends.

McAndrew’s story stretches from arm injuries in college to breakthrough moments in a Mets uniform. He battled Hall of Fame pitchers, played a part in one of baseball’s wildest championship runs, and eventually exited quietly from the game that shaped his adult life.

Early Life and Path to the Majors

Jim McAndrew grew up in Lost Nation, Iowa, a farming town with fewer than 600 people. His athletic talents developed through high school and college, eventually catching the attention of MLB scouts during the first amateur draft.

Childhood in Iowa

James Clement McAndrew was born January 11, 1944, in Lost Nation, Iowa, about 50 miles west of Davenport. His father, Clement James McAndrew, farmed corn and raised chickens on a sprawling 750-acre operation.

Jim was the oldest of four kids, growing up with three sisters. One sister, born in December 1944, was called his “Irish twin” because of their close ages.

He started playing baseball in Little League at age nine. Even though he was small, he showed promise early on.

By his freshman year of high school, McAndrew was still just 5 feet tall and 95 pounds. His physical growth lagged behind, but his athletic ability showed up in several sports.

At Lost Nation High School, he shined in both basketball and baseball. He graduated at 17, having grown to 5’11”, though he weighed only 135 pounds.

Amateur Baseball Journey

The University of Iowa noticed McAndrew’s high school performance. Dick Schultz, the baseball coach (and later NCAA executive director), recruited him.

The St. Louis Cardinals also took interest through scout Kenny Blackman. Blackman told McAndrew he’d be better off developing his skills in college instead of jumping straight into pro baseball because of his size.

McAndrew went to the University of Iowa, playing both baseball and basketball for the Hawkeyes. A knee injury during his sophomore basketball season forced him to focus just on baseball.

He faced some tough breaks during college:

• An arm injury before his junior year made him miss the whole season
• He tried to pitch for Rapid City in the Basin League that summer, but it didn’t work out
• Ongoing arm problems kept him from fully straightening his right arm

By his senior year, McAndrew finally hit his full height of 6’2″. Even with his physical issues, he pitched well for Iowa and finished with a 4-4 record.

His most notable college outing came against Ohio State’s top prospect Steve Arlin in Iowa City. McAndrew lost 2-0 on two unearned runs, but scouts from the Cubs and Mets, who were actually there to watch Arlin, took notice of him instead.

MLB Draft and Signing

The New York Mets picked McAndrew in the 11th round of the first amateur draft in 1965. Scout Charley Frey recommended the tall righty from Iowa.

Just a round later, the Mets drafted Nolan Ryan in the 12th. Both McAndrew and Ryan started their pro careers together in Marion, Virginia, in the rookie-level Appalachian League.

McAndrew’s early pro outings were a mixed bag. After two solid starts at Marion, he got promoted to Auburn, New York, in the Class A New York-Penn League.

His first taste of pro baseball wasn’t easy. In 11 starts at Auburn, he went 5-5 but struggled with control, finishing with a shaky 5.37 ERA.

The Mets still saw something in him. Bob Scheffing, the team’s director of baseball operations, worked with McAndrew during fall instructional league.

Scheffing later said that McAndrew “had absolutely no market value” back then, but he believed the young pitcher from Iowa was worth developing.

Major League Career with the New York Mets

Jim McAndrew spent six seasons with the New York Mets from 1968 to 1973. He put up a 36-49 record and played on both the 1969 World Series champs and the 1973 NL pennant winners.

Despite getting little run support and some hard luck, McAndrew became a reliable part of a young, talented rotation that included future Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan.

Joining the Mets Organization

The Mets drafted McAndrew in the 11th round of the 1965 MLB Amateur Draft out of the University of Iowa. Scout Charley Frey spotted him pitching at Iowa and pushed for the pick.

McAndrew worked his way up the Mets’ minor league system over three seasons. He started out in Marion, Virginia, then moved to Auburn, New York, in 1966.

He broke through in 1967 with the Double-A Williamsport Mets. McAndrew went 10-8 with a league-leading 1.47 ERA, giving up just 119 hits in 153 innings.

The Mets sent him to Triple-A Jacksonville in 1968. He struggled in the bullpen early on, so director of player personnel Whitey Herzog told manager Clyde McCullough to put McAndrew in the starting rotation.

McAndrew made his MLB debut on July 21, 1968, against Bob Gibson and the St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched six innings, allowed only one run, but lost 2-0 to the future Hall of Famer.

1969 World Series Season

McAndrew started 1969 as part of the Mets’ young rotation. The staff included Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Nolan Ryan, rookie Gary Gentry, and McAndrew.

He hit some bumps early in the season. In his first start, a batted ball hit his pitching hand and knocked him out in the second inning. That led to blister issues that kept him out for weeks.

By late June, he was 0-2 for the year. Manager Gil Hodges pulled him aside and told him he was hurting the team by trying to pitch through a sore arm.

August brought a turnaround. McAndrew finally felt healthy and threw seven shutout innings against the Atlanta Braves, then rolled off nine more strong starts.

During that hot streak, he posted a 1.60 ERA over 73 innings. He threw three complete games and tied a club record with 23 consecutive shutout innings.

On September 10 against Montreal at Shea Stadium, McAndrew pitched 11 innings in a 2-2 tie before being lifted. The Mets won in the 12th, moving into first place.

Even though he was part of the World Series team, McAndrew didn’t pitch in the playoffs or Series. He finished the regular season with a 6-7 record and a 3.47 ERA in 135 innings.

Notable Teammates

McAndrew pitched with some of the game’s best during his Mets years. The rotation featured future Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan, both drafted around the same time as McAndrew.

Seaver quickly became the staff ace and earned the nickname “The Franchise.” He won the 1969 Cy Young Award and led the Mets to their first World Series win.

Ryan, drafted one round after McAndrew in 1965, developed into a fireballing reliever and spot starter. They started their pro careers together in Marion, Virginia.

Jerry Koosman was the other half of the Mets’ dominant left-right combo with Seaver. Koosman and McAndrew played together at Auburn in 1966, helping the team to an 80-49 record.

Gary Gentry joined the rotation as a highly touted rookie in 1969. Gentry pitched in both the NLCS and World Series, while McAndrew didn’t get the nod in the postseason.

Manager Gil Hodges guided the young pitching staff with steady leadership. He helped McAndrew get past his confidence issues, even comparing him to Whitey Ford and saying results mattered more than velocity.

Performance Highlights

McAndrew’s MLB career featured strong pitching, even if run support was often lacking. He got his first win on August 26, 1968, throwing a five-hit shutout against Steve Carlton and the Cardinals in a 1-0 victory.

His best statistical season came in 1970, when he went 10-14 with a 3.56 ERA in 184 innings. He started 27 games and completed two, but five of his losses were by just one run.

Career Stats with the Mets:

• Record: 36-49
• ERA: 3.47
• Innings Pitched: 890.2
• Strikeouts: 456
• Games Started: 129

McAndrew’s 1969 season stands out for his impressive late-summer stretch. After early struggles, he dominated with 23 consecutive shutout innings during the Mets’ championship run.

He became a workhorse for the Mets. McAndrew often pitched in doubleheaders when the team needed an extra starter, especially during the 1969 playoff push.

His best individual stretch came in August 1969. He threw back-to-back shutouts and posted a 1.60 ERA over nine straight starts, helping the Mets overtake the Cubs.

He never got to pitch in the postseason, but McAndrew contributed to two NL pennant winners. He won 36 games with the Mets—almost all of his 37 career major league victories.

Key Seasons and Achievements

Jim McAndrew’s most memorable MLB moments came during the late 1960s and early 1970s with the New York Mets. His 1969 World Series championship and strong 1970 season marked the peak of his career.

1969 Campaign and NL East Title

McAndrew played a big role in the Mets’ miraculous 1969 season. He posted a 3.47 ERA in 28 appearances, including 25 starts for the eventual champions.

On September 10, 1969, he pitched 11 innings in the first game of a doubleheader against the Montreal Expos. The Mets swept the Expos, and that victory put them in first place for the first time ever.

He finished the season with a 6-7 record, but his underlying numbers were solid. McAndrew’s efforts helped the Mets win the NL East with a 100-62 record.

Even though he contributed during the regular season, McAndrew didn’t pitch in the 1969 World Series. Manager Gil Hodges leaned on his top three starters—Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, and Gary Gentry—for the title run against Baltimore.

1970 Career Milestones

McAndrew had his best MLB season in 1970. He made 29 starts and tossed 201.1 innings, both career highs.

At 26, he put up a 10-14 record with a 4.28 ERA that year. Those 10 wins were his most ever in a single season.

He struck out 108 batters in 1970, his second-highest total. He also threw 4 complete games and had 1 shutout during the campaign.

McAndrew’s durability showed as he averaged over 6.9 innings per start. He really established himself as a reliable middle-rotation starter for the defending champs.

1972 Comeback Performance

After a rough 1971, McAndrew bounced back in 1972 with one of his best MLB seasons. He put up an 11-8 record and a 2.80 ERA across 23 starts.

That season, McAndrew showed the best control of his career, walking just 48 batters in 167 innings. His 1.14 WHIP stood out as one of the best marks from his seven years in the big leagues.

He threw 5 complete games and 2 shutouts in 1972. Thanks to his improved command and effectiveness, the Mets managed to stay competitive in the National League East.

His 2.80 ERA marked a huge jump from the 4.70 ERA he posted the year before.

Final Season and Retirement in 1974

Jim McAndrew wrapped up his final season in pro baseball in 1974 with the San Diego Padres. After six years with the New York Mets, the Iowa native faced a new set of challenges in his last year as an MLB pitcher before he called it quits.

Playing for the San Diego Padres

McAndrew joined the San Diego Padres for the 1974 season after pitching for the New York Mets from 1968 to 1973. That move to San Diego brought a big change for the veteran pitcher.

The Padres, still a pretty young franchise since starting up in 1969, needed his experience on the mound. McAndrew added a veteran presence to their pitching staff.

His time with San Diego was short, but it closed out his seven-year MLB career. Earlier, he’d been part of a Mets rotation that boasted Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan.

Challenges and Injuries

Injuries and setbacks just seemed to follow McAndrew throughout his career. These problems stuck with him into his final season in San Diego.

He’d already dealt with arm and shoulder issues, plus other nagging ailments that hurt his performance. Those health struggles probably played a big role in his decision to retire.

McAndrew’s stats tell the story of both his talent and the challenges he faced. He ended up with a 37-53 record and a 3.65 ERA over his seven years in the majors.

Retirement Announcement

After the 1974 season, McAndrew decided to retire from professional baseball. He was just 30 when he chose to hang up his cleats and look for new opportunities outside the game.

He moved into the business world after baseball, starting at General Dynamics in Chicago. Eventually, he found his way into the coal industry.

McAndrew’s playing days spanned parts of seven MLB seasons. He’d been a member of the famous 1969 New York Mets team that won the World Series, though he didn’t get to pitch in the playoffs or Series that year.

After his baseball career, McAndrew and his wife Lyn eventually settled down in Fountain, enjoying retirement after his successful second act in the coal business.

Family and Baseball Legacy

Jim McAndrew’s baseball story doesn’t end with his own career. His family connections and influence on future pitchers keep his legacy alive. His son Jamie also made it to the majors, and Jim’s career included short ties to several organizations, like the Milwaukee Brewers.

Jamie McAndrew’s MLB Career

Jamie McAndrew kept the family tradition going by reaching the majors as a pitcher too. Like his dad, Jamie worked his way up through the minors before finally getting his shot at the big leagues.

Carrying the McAndrew name in pro baseball brought its own kind of pressure. Still, having a dad who pitched for the 1969 World Series champion Mets had to offer some solid guidance.

Jamie’s pitching style wasn’t quite the same as his father’s, but both of them understood what it takes to compete at the top level. You don’t see many father-son duos in MLB, so their shared experience stands out.

Links to the Brewers

Later in his career, Jim McAndrew had some connections to the Milwaukee Brewers organization. After his time with the Mets, he tried to keep his playing days alive with other teams, including a short stint in the Brewers system.

That link to Milwaukee was just one stop on McAndrew’s journey through different organizations as he tried to extend his career past his prime Mets years. This Brewers chapter came as he was transitioning out of MLB, wrapping things up in 1974.

Influence on Future Pitchers

McAndrew’s approach to pitching left a mark on younger players. He made a career as a finesse pitcher, showing that you don’t need overpowering speed to succeed. That lesson stuck with those who followed him.

Growing up in Iowa, McAndrew overcame early struggles and still managed to help a team win the World Series. That story inspired plenty of players facing their own hurdles. He really understood pitching mechanics and the mental side of the game, and he passed that on.

Later, McAndrew got into coaching, including time with West Scranton Baseball. He didn’t just talk about fundamentals—he got involved, teaching hands-on and helping shape how younger players approached the game.

Remembering Jim McAndrew’s Impact

Jim McAndrew carved out his own spot in baseball history as a reliable pitcher for the 1969 World Champion New York Mets. He played alongside Hall of Famers and delivered steady performances when the team needed it.

Role in Mets History

McAndrew played a real part in the 1969 Miracle Mets championship run. He gave the team much-needed depth in one of the most talented young rotations around.

That skinny kid from Iowa became the fifth starter, working alongside future Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan, plus Jerry Koosman.

August 1969 was probably his best stretch. McAndrew pitched six innings or more in nine straight starts during the Mets’ pennant chase.

He tied the club record with 23 consecutive scoreless innings. During that hot streak, he tossed back-to-back shutouts just when the Mets needed it most.

Because the team had so much pitching, McAndrew often started the second games of doubleheaders. On September 10, his strong outing against Montreal helped the Mets take over first place.

Recognition and Honors

Major awards never came McAndrew’s way, but his contributions to the 1969 World Series champs earned him plenty of respect.

The Mets have honored that 1969 team many times over the years. McAndrew took part in those anniversary celebrations and reunions.

His 6-7 record in 1969 doesn’t really show how important he was. With a 3.47 ERA, he brought stability to the staff when the team needed it.

Baseball historians often call him a “hard-luck pitcher.” He didn’t get much run support, but he kept putting up quality starts.

The University of Iowa has recognized McAndrew’s achievements too. He’s still considered one of their standout baseball alumni.

Connection to Hall of Fame

McAndrew’s career crossed paths with several Hall of Fame players in some memorable ways. He made his major league debut against Bob Gibson during Gibson’s legendary 1968 Cy Young season.

Gibson shut out the Mets 2-0 in that game. McAndrew allowed just one inside-the-park homer in six innings against the Cardinals ace.

He also pitched against Juan Marichal a few times. His first big league win came in a 1-0 shutout over future Hall of Famer Steve Carlton.

In the Mets minor leagues, McAndrew played alongside Nolan Ryan. The Mets drafted both of them in 1965, and they kicked off their careers together in Marion, Virginia.

But the connection to Tom Seaver probably meant the most. McAndrew learned a lot just by watching Seaver’s professionalism and work ethic while they were teammates.

Role as an Occasional Pinch-Hitter

McAndrew sometimes stepped in as a pinch-hitter during his time with the Mets. That dual role really showed off his versatility—he wasn’t just about pitching.

His batting stats? Pretty modest, honestly, but that’s kind of what you’d expect from pitchers back then. McAndrew mostly stuck to pitching, though he could help out at the plate if the team needed it.

Since the National League didn’t have the designated hitter rule, pitchers had to bat. McAndrew took on those at-bats without much fuss during his six-year run.

His offense actually mattered most in those long, drawn-out extra-inning games. When he picked up a bat, managers suddenly had more options late in the game.

That flexibility made him a bit more valuable to the Mets organization. Back then, teams really appreciated players who could do a little bit of everything, especially during those big championship seasons.