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

Jim Finigan only spent six years in Major League Baseball, but his time there really captured the journey of a skilled infielder making his mark in the mid-1950s. Born James Leroy Finigan on August 19, 1928, in Quincy, Illinois, he grew into a versatile player who handled multiple positions with real competence.

Finigan retired from professional baseball in 1959 after playing his final season with the Baltimore Orioles. That wrapped up a career spread across five different teams and showed off his adaptability as both a second baseman and third baseman.

Finigan’s baseball journey started with a promising debut for the Philadelphia Athletics. He earned All-Star recognition and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in 1954.

He moved through the Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants, and Baltimore Orioles, bouncing around in a way that was pretty common for players during baseball’s shifting 1950s. Over his career, Finigan kept a .264 batting average and played in 512 games, earning a reputation as a reliable utility infielder.

From his college days at St. Ambrose University to his last at-bat in 1959, Finigan’s career really mirrors the experience of so many players who found their way in the majors during an era of franchise moves and changing baseball dynamics. His story gives a glimpse into the ups and downs of being a pro athlete, especially during the wild landscape of 1950s baseball.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball Career

Jim Finigan’s path to the big leagues started in Quincy, Illinois, right along the Mississippi River. He grew up in a family that faced its share of tragedy but also discovered some serious athletic talent.

He went from high school sports star to professional prospect after playing college baseball, which finally led to his signing with the New York Yankees organization.

Childhood and Family Background

James Leroy Finigan was born on August 19, 1928, in Quincy, Illinois. He was the third of five children and the youngest of two boys born to John “Clifford” and Anna A. (Kemner) Finigan.

The Finigan family had some unique twists. Jim’s father, originally named Larcans, was born in Kirksville, Missouri, in November 1890. After losing his parents in a horse and buggy accident at age nine, he was adopted by Mary Finigan, a close family friend.

Clifford eventually crossed the Mississippi River and settled in Quincy. He married Anna Kemner, an Illinois native, in 1925. Clifford supported his family by running a shoe repair shop.

Tragedy hit early. Clifford died in 1931, leaving Anna to raise five kids on her own. Jim was only three years old.

That athletic streak seemed to run on Anna’s side. Her great-niece Caren Marie Kemner later became an Olympic volleyball player.

High School and College Years

The Finigan kids went to Quincy Notre Dame High School, a Roman Catholic school on the southwest side of town. Both Jim and his older brother John became standout multi-sport athletes during their high school years.

Jim picked up nine varsity letters across football, basketball, and baseball. His brother John also excelled in all three, even earning All-State honors at quarterback.

After high school in 1946, Jim landed a baseball scholarship to St. Ambrose College (now University) in Davenport, Iowa. He kept playing baseball and was also a halfback for the Fighting Bees football team.

But Jim didn’t stick around college for long. After freshman year, he went back home to Quincy and played sandlot baseball with his brother John. That decision turned out to be a turning point for his baseball career.

Path to Professional Baseball

Jim’s shot at pro baseball came thanks to family. In 1947, the Quincy Gems, a Class-B affiliate of the New York Yankees, returned to the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League after a 13-year break.

Oscar Shannon, the Gems’ president, first offered a contract to Jim’s brother John. But John had taken on the role of surrogate father after their dad died, and he didn’t want to leave his younger siblings while his two youngest sisters were still minors.

Instead, John suggested Shannon take a look at Jim. The timing was good—St. Louis Cardinals scouts had already started noticing Jim’s skills.

Shannon signed Jim to a $400 per month contract with the Yankees organization. Instead of joining the Quincy Gems, Jim started his pro career with Independence, Kansas, in the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League in 1948.

Major League Debut and Early Achievements

Jim Finigan made a splash in the majors in 1954 with the Philadelphia Athletics, quickly showing he was one of the American League‘s most promising young players. His rookie season put him in the running for Rookie of the Year and earned him his first All-Star selection.

Breaking Into the American League

Finigan debuted in the majors on April 25, 1954, facing the New York Yankees at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia. The 25-year-old infielder came in as a ninth-inning defensive sub, then started at third base in the second game of the doubleheader.

In his first big league at-bat, Finigan ripped an RBI double to center off rookie pitcher Bob Grim. He got thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple, but still, not a bad way to start.

That debut set the tone for his rookie year. Just six days later, Finigan hit a walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning against the Baltimore Orioles, sealing a 2-1 win for the Athletics.

He knocked out his first home run on May 18, off Detroit Tigers pitcher Steve Gromek. Eleven days after that, he finished a 10-game hitting streak with a game-winning two-run homer against Washington Senators pitcher Spec Shea.

Rookie of the Year Considerations

Finigan’s rookie campaign in 1954 really put him on the map. He finished with a .302 batting average, .381 on-base percentage, and .421 slugging percentage in 487 at-bats.

He was especially hot in night games, where he led the league with a .343 batting average (58-for-169). Finigan came through in clutch moments, stringing together multiple hitting streaks, including a career-best 14-gamer late in the year.

He ended up second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, just behind his old minor league teammate Bob Grim, who had been traded to the Yankees.

The Sporting News named Finigan to their All-Rookie team, alongside future Hall of Famers Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks.

First All-Star Selection

Casey Stengel picked Finigan as the Philadelphia Athletics’ only rep for the 1954 All-Star Game. Even though Finigan led the league with 25 errors at third base, his bat earned him the nod.

He didn’t play in the All-Star Game, probably because of a bad thigh muscle pull that sidelined him the week before. Still, the selection showed how much impact he had as a rookie.

His offense outshined his defensive issues. Finigan even got some votes for American League Most Valuable Player, finishing 12th—a pretty big deal for a rookie.

After his All-Star nod, other teams started calling. The Yankees tried more than once to get their old prospect back, and the White Sox and Orioles also showed interest in trading for him.

Career Highlights and Milestones

Jim Finigan found notable success over his six-year MLB run, picking up two All-Star selections and becoming a key player for several teams. His rookie season was especially strong, and he had plenty of memorable moments showing off his clutch hitting skills.

All-Star Appearances

Finigan made the All-Star team in both 1954 and 1955, representing the Philadelphia and Kansas City Athletics. His 1954 selection followed that standout rookie year where he hit .302 with a .421 slugging percentage.

The 1955 All-Star Game was a milestone—Finigan became the first All-Star starter for the Kansas City Athletics after their move from Philadelphia. Fans voted him past former MVP Al Rosen for the starting third base spot.

His strong first half, including a league-best .493 slugging percentage through mid-June, earned him the selection. He didn’t get a hit in his three All-Star at-bats, but he did reach base on an error by Braves third baseman Eddie Mathews.

Notable Seasons and Stats

Finigan’s 1954 rookie year stands as his brightest moment. He finished with a .302 average, .381 OBP, and .421 slugging in 487 at-bats, landing as the runner-up for American League Rookie of the Year.

That season, he hit .343 in night games, going 58-for-169 under the lights. He also finished 12th in MVP voting.

The Sporting News put him on their All-Rookie team with Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks. Over his MLB career, Finigan posted a .264 average, hit 19 home runs, and drove in 168 runs across 512 games.

Impactful Games and Contributions

Finigan delivered some memorable performances. His MLB debut came on April 25, 1954, in a doubleheader against the Yankees—he doubled off Bob Grim in his first at-bat for his first RBI.

He hit his first home run on May 18, 1954, off Tigers pitcher Steve Gromek. Just eleven days later, he ended a 10-game hitting streak with a game-winning two-run homer off Washington’s Spec Shea.

One of his biggest moments happened on September 7, 1955, when his seventh-inning double broke up a no-hitter by Yankees lefty Whitey Ford. Finigan also put together a 14-game hitting streak late in his rookie year, showing he could really keep the bat going.

Teams Played For and Positional Versatility

Jim Finigan suited up for four franchises during his six seasons from 1954 to 1959. He showed off his versatility by playing multiple infield positions, mainly third base and second base, but also filling in at shortstop when needed.

Philadelphia Athletics Tenure

Finigan kicked off his big league career with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1954. He debuted on April 25, 1954, as a right-handed batter and thrower at age 25.

While in Philadelphia, Finigan became a reliable infield presence. He stood 5’11” and weighed 175 pounds, pretty average for his era.

The Athletics moved Finigan around the infield. He mostly played third base, but also saw plenty of action at second.

His rookie year in 1954 started a steady, if not spectacular, MLB career. Finigan’s ability to handle different spots in the infield made him a valuable piece for the Athletics.

Kansas City Athletics Years

When the Athletics franchise moved to Kansas City, Finigan stuck with the organization through 1956. That ended up being the longest stint he ever had with one team.

The Kansas City years probably marked his most productive stretch. He kept getting regular playing time and filled in as a utility infielder.

During those seasons, his batting average settled at .264. Finigan’s steady defense really helped shore up the Athletics’ infield in those early Kansas City days.

The team leaned on him to play both second and third base. That kind of flexibility made a big difference for Kansas City’s roster.

Other Franchise Associations

After Kansas City, Finigan bounced around to three different teams in three straight seasons. He joined the Detroit Tigers in 1957 for just one year.

In 1958, the San Francisco Giants picked him up. That turned out to be his only season playing out on the West Coast.

He wrapped up his career with the Baltimore Orioles in 1959. His last game came on July 5, 1959, against the Boston Red Sox, and he went 0-for-3 at the plate.

In those final seasons, his playing time really dropped off. The Orioles mostly used him as a bench guy and spot starter at a few infield spots.

He played in 512 games across all four franchises. Honestly, that shows a lot of durability, even if his role shrank at the end.

Final Years in Baseball and Retirement in 1959

Jim Finigan’s baseball career ended pretty suddenly in 1959. After declining performance and less playing time with a few different teams, he called it quits. His final season with the Orioles marked the end of a six-year major league run that started off strong but never quite found steady footing.

Late Career Transitions

After a standout rookie season with the Philadelphia Athletics, Finigan saw his playing time fall off. He moved between the Tigers in 1957, the Giants in 1958, and the Orioles in 1959.

Those frequent team changes really showed how his value as a player slipped. His batting average dropped from .302 as a rookie to much lower numbers later on. Teams mostly used him as a utility infielder.

By 1959, he averaged just 106 at-bats per season over his last three years. That’s a big drop from his early days as a featured player and All-Star.

Reasons for Retirement

Finigan’s baseball journey wrapped up on July 5, 1959, with the Orioles. He was only 30 when he played his last major league game against Boston.

Vision problems played a huge part in his decline. Finigan developed astigmatism, which made it tough to see the ball. Doctors didn’t diagnose it until 1956, but it probably started hurting his game in late 1955.

He started wearing glasses for the rest of his career. Even with corrected vision, though, it just came too late to save his spot as a regular.

Physical injuries didn’t help either. Finigan dealt with pulled muscles and other nagging aches that chipped away at his effectiveness.

Life After Professional Baseball

After baseball, Finigan went back to his hometown of Quincy, Illinois. He was born there on August 19, 1928, and always kept close ties to the place.

He lived a pretty quiet life in Quincy after retiring. He stayed out of the public eye, a big change from the attention he got as a ballplayer.

Finigan passed away on May 16, 1981, at 52. He was buried in St. Peter Cemetery in Quincy, coming full circle to the Mississippi River town where his baseball story started.

Career Statistics:

• Games played: 512
• Hits: 422
• Home runs: 19
• RBIs: 168
• Batting average: .264
• On-base percentage: .342

Legacy and Influence on the Game

Jim Finigan’s short but memorable career left a lasting mark on baseball history. His rookie achievements and connection to the Athletics’ franchise move still get attention from baseball researchers and collectors who appreciate his unique place in the game’s story.

Comparisons With Era Peers

Finigan’s 1954 rookie season put him among the game’s most promising newcomers, right up there with future Hall of Famers Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks. All three made The Sporting News All-Rookie squad that year. Sure, Aaron and Banks went on to become legends, but Finigan’s early promise made him a notable comparison for what could’ve been.

He hit .302 as a rookie and finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting behind Yankees pitcher Bob Grim. That season, Finigan actually outperformed a lot of established players. He also led the league with a .343 average in night games, which showed he could hang with the best.

The Athletics showed a lot of faith in Finigan. They turned down several trade offers from contending teams, including a five-player package from the White Sox with future All-Star Earl Battey. That kind of interest says a lot about how teams viewed him back then.

Recognition by the Baseball Community

The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) has covered Finigan’s career in detail, especially his work as a player rep who pushed for better benefits. He voted in favor of stronger health coverage and pensions for veteran players, showing leadership beyond just playing ball.

Finigan was the last All-Star and last .300 hitter for the Philadelphia Athletics. He also became the first All-Star starter when the franchise moved to Kansas City in 1955. Those honors really lock in his place in Athletics history.

Baseball historians point out Finigan’s unique spot in the game. He played through the Athletics’ big move from Philadelphia to Kansas City, so he kind of bridged two eras for the franchise.

Baseball Memorabilia and Collectibles

Finigan’s rookie cards from 1954 still catch the eye of collectors who love Athletics memorabilia and anything tied to 1950s baseball.

Collectors find extra value in items from his playing days because of his All-Star appearances and his link to the team’s big move.

People who chase game-used equipment or signed baseballs from Finigan’s best seasons usually have to hunt a bit. Since his career didn’t last all that long, finding real, authentic memorabilia isn’t easy, which just makes it more appealing for serious collectors.

The baseball card community sees Finigan as an important name in the 1954 rookie class. You’ll spot his cards in vintage sets right next to Aaron and Banks, which feels like a natural fit for fans of that whole era.