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

Jim French probably isn’t the first name that comes to mind when you think of baseball legends, but honestly, his journey captures the real spirit of pro baseball in the late ’60s and early ’70s. The Washington Senators catcher played seven seasons in the majors between 1965 and 1971. People respected him not for his stats, but for his stubborn hustle and competitive spirit.

French hung up his cleats in 1971 after spending his entire big league career with the Senators. He finished with a .196 batting average, but honestly, it’s his grit that teammates, managers, and fans still remember.

At just 5’8″ and 180 pounds, French never looked like the most intimidating guy on the diamond. Those thick glasses and his average frame made him an unlikely fan favorite, but Washington loved him for his relentless energy.

Manager Ted Williams always talked up French’s knack for handling pitchers and his non-stop hustle. Williams once said French “compares with anybody when you talk about getting the most out of ability,” which is pretty high praise.

French’s story gives us a window into a time when the Washington Senators still played at D.C. Stadium. From his debut on a rainy September day in 1965 to his last game in 1971, French showed just how much dedication it takes to make it at the top level.

His career highlights the tough life of backup catchers, the value of veteran leadership, and how a single player’s work ethic can make a mark, even without big numbers.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Richard James French was born August 13, 1941, in Warren, Ohio. He fell in love with baseball early on.

His path to the majors started at Ohio University, where he sharpened his skills before signing with the Senators in 1963.

Childhood in Warren, Ohio

French started playing baseball at just eight years old. His grandfather, a pretty good semipro catcher himself, gave him his first catcher’s mitt and some big dreams.

The old man wanted French to do two things: play major league ball and get a law degree. “My grandfather was a real good semipro catcher, who had five sons and none of them ever went to college or played pro ball,” French once said.

That influence clearly stuck. Growing up in Warren, French built the competitive streak that would define his career.

That first catcher’s mitt turned out to be a sign of things to come. French took to the position naturally and showed real skill behind the plate from the start.

High School Baseball Experience

French played high school ball in Warren, and those years set him up for everything that followed. He worked on his defense, which would later become his calling card in professional baseball.

Scouts noticed his work as a catcher. French’s way with pitchers and his relentless approach to the game made him a standout.

Even in high school, he played every game like it mattered, and that attitude never left him.

His high school experience got him ready for the next step at Ohio University.

Ohio University Achievements

French took his game to Ohio University, where he kept developing as a player and stayed focused on his studies. Those college years played a big role in getting him ready for pro ball.

The Washington Senators signed him straight out of Ohio University in 1963. That moment kicked off his pro career.

At Ohio, French showed off the same hustle and drive that would define his time in the majors. Scouts saw his potential and believed he could make it.

He didn’t just focus on baseball, either. French also earned a master’s in finance, which later helped him land a job with Computer Science Corporation in Northern Virginia.

His college days marked the end of his amateur days and the start of his climb through the Senators system.

Minor League Development

Jim French’s path to the majors really began in 1963 when he signed with the Wisconsin Rapids Senators. Over the next eight years, he bounced around several minor league teams, learning the ropes as a catcher and putting up solid offensive numbers that eventually got him noticed.

Signing with the Wisconsin Rapids Senators

French joined the Wisconsin Rapids Senators in 1963 at 21, after signing with Washington. The team played in the Midwest League at the Class A level.

In that first season, French played 73 games for Wisconsin Rapids. He hit .286 with 74 hits in 259 at-bats.

He flashed some power early, blasting 8 home runs and driving in 39 RBIs. His on-base percentage of .415 showed he already had a good eye at the plate.

French, a lefty hitter, showed he could run too, stealing 7 bases and only getting caught 4 times. He drew 55 walks, which is pretty impressive for a young player.

Progression Through Minor League Teams

French’s minor league journey took him through several organizations and levels from 1963 to 1971. After Wisconsin Rapids, he moved up to Rocky Mount in the Carolina League for 1964.

At Rocky Mount, French played 135 games, notching 129 hits in 477 at-bats for a .270 average. He stayed steady with 10 home runs and 64 RBIs.

He reached Double-A with York in the Eastern League in 1965 and got his first taste of Triple-A with Hawaii that same year.

His best minor league season came in 1968 with Buffalo, where he hit .263 and smacked 11 home runs in just 60 games. That year, his slugging percentage of .509 really stood out.

Performance and Notable Stats

Over his minor league career, French put up solid numbers in 582 games. He carried a .255 batting average with 54 home runs and 252 RBIs.

One thing that always stood out was his ability to draw walks and get on base. His career minor league on-base percentage of .383 showed great plate discipline.

He brought consistent power, averaging almost 8 home runs a season. His 84 doubles proved he could hit to the gaps too, not just over the fence.

French showed he could play both catcher and outfield. That versatility helped him climb the ladder in the Washington organization and finally break into the majors in 1965.

Major League Career with the Washington Senators

Jim French spent all seven of his MLB seasons with the Washington Senators from 1965 to 1971. He made his mark as a steady backup catcher with a strong arm and a reputation for defense. French hit just .196, which pretty much tells you he wasn’t there for his bat—he was a defensive specialist.

MLB Debut and Early Seasons

French debuted in the majors on September 12, 1965, in a Sunday game against the California Angels at RFK Stadium. He made a splash, going 2-for-2 with two walks and two RBIs facing ace Dean Chance.

He singled to center to drive in Ken Hamlin and even stole a base. French later joked, “It was all downhill from there. It was probably the best game I ever had, offensively anyway.”

He finished his rookie year with a .297 average in 13 games. French hit his first big league homer on September 21, 1965, off Oakland’s Jim Dickson.

Those early years saw French bouncing between the majors and the minors. He spent a lot of time with the Senators’ AAA teams in Hawaii and Buffalo during the 1966 and 1967 seasons.

Role as Catcher and Defensive Prowess

French made his name as a defensive catcher for the Senators. He mostly worked as the backup to Paul Casanova.

Defensive Highlights:

• 1969: Threw out 50% of runners trying to steal, leading the league
• 1970: Improved to 57% caught stealing, again leading the league

Pitchers trusted French’s game-calling and defensive instincts. His quick release helped him control the running game.

French played his only two full big league seasons in 1969 and 1970. In 1970, he appeared in a career-high 69 games, sharing time with veteran John Roseboro.

Ted Williams, his manager, valued French’s defense during those late ’60s years. The two often talked pitching strategy on team flights.

Offensive Production and Batting Average

French’s numbers at the plate weren’t flashy. He finished with a .196 career average, collecting 119 hits in 234 games over seven seasons.

Career Batting Stats:

• Games: 234
• Batting Average: .196
• Home Runs: 5
• RBIs: 51
• Runs Scored: 53

After his strong debut in ’65, he never hit above .211 in a season again. His best year at the plate was 1970, when he scored 20 runs and had 13 RBIs in 69 games.

French believed his struggles with the bat were partly due to being a backup. “In the big leagues I was a second stringer. I believe that playing every day you would hit much better and I’m sure I would have,” he said.

He did have a few memorable home runs, like the solo shot off Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter on August 9, 1968. French remembered Hunter being so annoyed, he hit him with a pitch the next time they faced off.

Playing Style, Strengths, and Reputation

Jim French built a reputation as a sharp defensive catcher who squeezed every bit of talent out of himself through hard work and pure competitiveness. Ted Williams, his manager, really valued French’s ability to handle pitchers and baseball smarts. Teammates and fans liked his hustle—he just never quit on a play.

Working Under Manager Ted Williams

Ted Williams saw something in French that others missed. The Hall of Fame manager defended French when executives called him “a triple-A catcher at best.”

“He does a darn good job at handling pitchers and gets the ball away fast,” Williams said. “The runners don’t go hog-crazy on him.”

Williams loved French’s intangibles, calling him “ginnegar”—his own word for a mix of ginger and vinegar, meaning pure competitive fire. Williams knew French didn’t have the tools most catchers had, but he respected his mind for the game.

“He’s short, not fast, not much power, doesn’t have the strongest arm and wears thick glasses,” Williams once said. “He’s smart, a good competitor and compares with anybody when you talk about getting the most out of ability.”

Williams worked with French to improve his hitting. In 1970, French actually got his average up to .250 by the All-Star break, thanks in part to that coaching.

Defensive Skills and Game Calling

French’s main strength was always his work behind the plate. Williams especially liked his quick release and the way he managed pitchers.

He built his defensive reputation on getting the ball out fast to catch runners. Even if his arm wasn’t the strongest, his timing and instincts made up for it.

French saw his job as more than just hitting. “A player has other ways of contributing in addition to batting average,” he said. “I get on base a lot and move runners over.”

His relationships with pitchers and his game-calling skills were huge assets. French even once jumped a Portland batter who got too close to his pitcher’s warm-up tosses.

“I don’t want them looking at my pitchers,” French said, showing just how much he looked out for his team.

Competitiveness and Hustle

French built his reputation on relentless effort and fearless play. Williams once called him “one of the great hustlers in the game.”

He chased foul balls like few others. French ran after every foul ball within 100 feet of home plate, turning routine plays into what one sportswriter called “a wild adventure.”

“One of these days I am going to slide into the wrong dugout and they’re going to beat the hell out of me,” French joked, never shy about his aggressive style.

He wasn’t afraid to stand up for his teammates, either. In a 1969 game at Fenway Park, French jumped into a shoving match to defend his pitcher.

Fans loved his intensity. One fan club member said, “I knew that he gave that mythic 100 percent effort in every game.” French’s hustle inspired fans who admired his all-out approach, even if he didn’t have the most natural talent.

Career Highlights and Milestones

Jim French spent seven years in MLB, making his mark with exceptional defensive skills and memorable moments. He didn’t produce much offensively, but his debut game shined as his best with the bat. His steady defense made him a trusted backup catcher for the Washington Senators.

Noteworthy Games and Achievements

French’s MLB debut on September 12, 1965, against the California Angels was his big moment at the plate. That Sunday at RFK Stadium, he went 2-for-2 with two walks and two RBIs, all against Angels ace Dean Chance.

He singled to center in the fourth inning, driving in Ken Hamlin for a 2-0 Senators lead. Later, French walked, stole second, and scored on Brant Aylea’s three-run homer.

“It was all downhill from there. It was probably the best game I ever had, offensively anyway,” French admitted, looking back.

He made his name with his glove. French led the American League in caught stealing percentage twice, nailing 50% of base stealers in 1969 and an impressive 57% in 1970.

He even met President Richard Nixon in the clubhouse after a Senators game. French ran out to meet the president wearing only shaving cream and a shirt, and that moment ended up as a memorable photo on his business card.

Home Runs and Offensive Impact

French didn’t hit for much power, finishing his career with just five home runs in 607 big league at-bats. Still, each homer meant a lot to him.

He hit his first major league home run on September 21, 1965, off Oakland’s Jim Dickson. That solo shot stretched the Senators’ lead to 3-1 in the seventh inning.

His second homer came almost three years later, on August 9, 1968, off Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter. That solo home run came in the bottom of the seventh, during a rough patch for French and the team.

“When you only hit five home runs in the major leagues you remember them all,” French said later. He recalled Hunter got mad about the celebration and hit him with a pitch the next time they faced off.

French wrapped up his career with a .196 batting average, 119 hits, and 53 RBIs in 234 games. As a backup catcher, he rarely got steady playing time.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1971

French started his last season on the Senators’ roster in 1971, hoping for more chances. But as the year went on, he saw less and less action.

On May 14, 1971, French played his final big league game against the Detroit Tigers. He went 0-for-4 that day, ending his MLB career at age 29.

The Senators sent him down to the minors that May, and he finished the season there. When the team released him at the end of the year, no other clubs came calling.

With two young daughters and another child on the way, French decided it was time to walk away from baseball. The uncertain pay in the minors and his growing family made the choice clear.

French moved into the securities industry in 1972 and started building a new career. His MBA from Indiana University and ongoing studies helped him transition, and he eventually earned a law degree in 2001.

Post-Baseball Life and Lasting Legacy

After leaving baseball in 1971, Jim French found success in finance while staying close to his Ohio roots and his family’s farm life. His influence reached beyond stats, inspiring teammates and future catchers with his work ethic and competitive drive.

Educational Pursuits and Legal Career

French’s grandfather wanted him to be both a major leaguer and a lawyer. He made it to the big leagues and, though he didn’t go to law school right away, he later earned a master’s degree in finance that opened doors in business.

After baseball, French joined Computer Science Corporation in Northern Virginia. He showed he could transfer his analytical mindset from the diamond to the business world.

His finance degree gave him the skills to thrive in the technology sector. It set him up for a solid career in corporate America during the 1970s.

French’s journey from pro athlete to business professional wasn’t easy. Before modern pensions, players like him had to hustle for new careers. He finished his education while playing ball, showing the same drive Ted Williams once admired.

Personal Life and Community Involvement

French juggled a lot during his playing days and after. He was married with two kids, balancing family life with his baseball career.

He kept a strong connection to agriculture by working on his father’s 300-acre farm in Andover, Ohio. That work kept him grounded in Warren, Ohio, where he was born.

French once admitted he had “too many irons in the fire,” talking about all his commitments. Balancing baseball, family, school, and farm work took a serious work ethic.

The farm gave him a steadying influence through his playing years. After retirement, it became a natural way to stay busy and help out his family.

Influence on Future Catchers

French really left his mark on younger players, and not just because of his stats. He always gave 100 percent, and that effort inspired teammates and fans during his seven seasons with the Washington Senators.

Ted Williams actually singled out French’s competitive streak and the way he squeezed every bit out of his abilities. The Hall of Fame manager called him “one of the great hustlers in the game,” which says a lot about qualities that go well beyond batting averages.

One fan club member summed up French’s appeal in a way that sticks with you: “Since I realized that I would never grow up Frank Howard sized, Jim French served as my role model.” That kind of feeling really shows how much he meant to players who didn’t have the biggest build.

He made his defensive style stand out, especially with how he chased foul balls so aggressively. Younger catchers could watch him and try to copy that. French would even “slide into the wrong dugout” if that’s what it took, showing the kind of fearless attitude coaches always want in defensive players.