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

Jim Colborn carved out a respectable career as a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball during the 1970s. He spent nine seasons in the big leagues, suiting up for teams like the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, and Kansas City Royals before calling it quits in 1978.

Colborn’s most memorable season? That came in 1973, when he won 20 games for the Milwaukee Brewers, making him one of the few pitchers to reach that milestone in his era. His journey from a relatively unknown player to a 20-game winner really shows what determination and steady skill development can do at baseball’s highest level.

This former pitcher’s story includes standout performances, contributions to several franchises, and a transition to life after baseball that, honestly, many fans might not know much about. His career gives a glimpse into what it took to succeed as a starting pitcher during one of the sport’s most competitive decades.

Jim Colborn’s Baseball Career Overview

Jim Colborn pitched in Major League Baseball for 11 seasons from 1969 to 1978, playing for the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, and Seattle Mariners.

He found his greatest success with the Brewers. There, he won 20 games in 1973 and became a steady starter in their rotation.

Major League Debut and Teams

Jim Colborn made his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs on September 4, 1969. The right-hander spent his first two seasons with the Cubs, then the team traded him to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1972.

Colborn settled in with the Brewers, pitching for four seasons from 1972 to 1975. Those years turned out to be the best of his career.

He became a key member of Milwaukee’s starting rotation. In 1976, the Brewers traded him to the Kansas City Royals.

He spent two seasons with Kansas City, helping the team reach the playoffs in 1976 and 1977. The Royals fielded a competitive squad during his stint.

His final season came with the Seattle Mariners in 1978. The expansion team had just started up, and Colborn joined their first roster.

Pitching Achievements

Colborn’s best season arrived in 1973 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He went 20-12 with a 3.18 ERA over 314 innings pitched.

That year, he was one of only a few pitchers to notch 20 wins.

Key Statistics from 1973:

• Wins: 20
• Losses: 12
• ERA: 3.18
• Strikeouts: 173
• Complete Games: 18

With Milwaukee, Colborn built a reputation for durability and consistency. He regularly tossed over 200 innings a season and finished a lot of games he started.

Over his career, Colborn racked up 83 wins, 88 losses, and a 3.80 ERA in 1,609 innings pitched. He struck out 880 batters during his 11 years in the majors.

Retirement in 1978

Colborn closed out his career with the Seattle Mariners in 1978. He pitched in 32 games for the new franchise, going 8-12 with a 4.29 ERA.

That 1978 season turned out rough for both Colborn and the Mariners. Seattle finished with a 56-104 record in just their second year.

At 32, Colborn decided to retire after the 1978 season. His career stretched from the late ‘60s through the late ‘70s, and he pitched for four different organizations.

Notable Seasons and Performances

Jim Colborn’s career had several standout seasons that put him on the map as a reliable starting pitcher. He notched multiple seasons with double-digit wins and tossed a historic no-hitter that’s still a highlight of his career.

Breakout Years

Colborn’s breakthrough came in 1973 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He went 20-12 with a 3.18 ERA over 314 innings.

That season, he became the first pitcher in Brewers history to win 20 games. He struck out 173 batters and completed 23 games, showing off the kind of durability managers really wanted back then.

His success helped establish the young Brewers as a team to watch. In 1974, Colborn followed up with a 10-13 record and a 3.52 ERA in 235 innings.

His win total dipped, but his performance stayed pretty solid.

Significant Games and No-Hitter

On May 14, 1977, Colborn threw a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers for the Kansas City Royals. Royals Stadium hosted 10,525 fans that night.

He struck out three batters, walked two, and the Royals won 6-0.

That no-hitter was the first in Royals history. Colborn needed just 106 pitches for the feat.

Texas’s best shot at a hit came on a grounder in the seventh, but the Royals infield handled it cleanly.

This game marked the high point of Colborn’s career. He became just the second American League pitcher to toss a no-hitter that season.

Seasonal Statistics

Colborn finished with an 83-88 career record and a 3.80 ERA over 11 seasons. His best statistical year stayed 1973, when he led the American League in games started at 38.

That year was also his high mark for innings pitched. He struck out 173 batters in 1973, his peak.

During his prime, Colborn usually averaged around 120 strikeouts a year. He kept his walks down and rarely issued more than 70 free passes in a season.

Colborn’s durability showed in his complete game numbers. He finished 52 games in his career, with 23 of those in 1973.

His knack for pitching deep into games made him valuable to every team he played for.

Teams Played For and Key Contributions

Jim Colborn pitched for four major league teams over his 12-year career. He found his greatest success with the Milwaukee Brewers, especially in the mid-1970s.

Chicago Cubs

Colborn started his big league journey with the Chicago Cubs in 1969. The Cubs brought him up from the minors as a promising arm.

He made his debut on September 13, 1969, against the New York Mets. That first season, he appeared in only three games, posting a 6.00 ERA in six innings.

The Cubs didn’t use Colborn much in 1970 and 1971. He pitched mostly in relief during those early years and had trouble finding consistency.

His best year with Chicago came in 1971, when he got into 23 games. He posted a 4.50 ERA over 34 innings, showing a bit of improvement as a reliever.

After the 1971 season, the Cubs traded Colborn to the Milwaukee Brewers for pitcher Jose Cardenal. That move ended up working out well for Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Brewers

Colborn found his groove with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1972 to 1976. The Brewers switched him from reliever to starter, and that move changed everything for him.

His breakout came in 1973, when he won 20 games with a 3.18 ERA over 314 innings. He became the first Brewers pitcher to hit the 20-win mark.

That achievement made him a big part of the franchise’s early history. Colborn also threw a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers on May 14, 1975, striking out six in a 6-0 win at County Stadium.

He became Milwaukee’s most reliable starter in the mid-1970s. From 1973 to 1975, he averaged over 250 innings a season.

His last year with Milwaukee was 1976. He went 9-15 but still managed a respectable 3.71 ERA.

Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals picked up Colborn before the 1977 season. He joined a talented Royals squad chasing American League West titles.

Colborn brought veteran presence to Kansas City’s rotation. In his only season with the Royals, he went 18-14 with a 3.63 ERA.

He slotted in as the fourth starter behind Dennis Leonard, Paul Splittorff, and Larry Gura. Colborn provided valuable innings and leadership for the younger pitchers.

Kansas City won 102 games in 1977 and made it to the ALCS, where they lost to the Yankees.

Colborn’s experience mattered during the playoffs. He started Game 3 of the ALCS against New York, giving up three runs in six innings.

Seattle Mariners

Colborn wrapped up his career with the Seattle Mariners in 1978. The expansion team brought him in via trade from Kansas City that offseason.

He became a veteran leader for the young Mariners franchise. Seattle was just in its second year when Colborn arrived.

He posted an 8-7 record with a 4.47 ERA in 21 starts. Those numbers reflected both his fading stuff and the team’s struggles.

Colborn pitched 131 innings for Seattle in his final season. He retired at 32 after the 1978 campaign.

His experience helped mentor the Mariners’ younger pitchers. Colborn brought some much-needed stability to a rotation that really lacked veteran leadership.

Skills, Playing Style, and Legacy

Jim Colborn built his career around sharp control and smart pitching decisions. Teammates and coaches respected his work ethic and professional attitude. He left a real mark on both the Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals.

Pitching Techniques

Colborn didn’t rely on overpowering velocity. He threw a four-seam fastball that topped out around 85 mph.

His slider was his best pitch.

Key Pitching Arsenal:

• Four-seam fastball
• Slider (his go-to)
• Curveball
• Changeup

He worked both sides of the plate and kept hitters guessing by mixing speeds and locations. Colborn’s delivery was smooth and easy to repeat.

He took the time to study opposing hitters. He figured out their weaknesses and pitched to them.

That kind of preparation helped him succeed, even with average velocity. Colborn threw strikes and kept his walk numbers low.

He trusted his defense to make plays behind him.

Reputation Among Peers

Teammates saw Colborn as a real professional. He prepped hard for every start and set a good example for younger players.

Catchers liked working with him because he hit his spots. He rarely shook off signs and trusted his catchers’ calls.

That trust made him more effective on the mound.

Opposing hitters respected his competitive streak. Colborn didn’t give in during tough at-bats and attacked the strike zone with confidence.

Peer Recognition:

• 1973 All-Star Game selection
• Respected by veteran teammates
• Mentored younger pitchers

Managers loved his consistency and durability. He took the ball every fifth day without complaining.

His innings totals proved he was always ready to go.

Lasting Impact on Teams

Colborn anchored the Brewers’ rotation during their early years. He brought stability as the franchise tried to find its identity.

His 1973 no-hitter still stands out in team history.

The Royals valued his veteran presence. He helped build a winning culture in Kansas City in the mid-1970s.

Young pitchers watched and learned from his approach.

After his playing days, Colborn kept influencing the game as a coach. He worked with several big league organizations, teaching mechanics and mental preparation.

Career Statistics:

• 83 career wins
• 3.80 ERA over 10 seasons
• 1,077 strikeouts
• One no-hitter (1973)

Teams remembered him for his leadership and professionalism. He set the example organizations wanted in their players.

Life and Activities After Retirement

Jim Colborn stayed close to baseball by taking on coaching roles at different levels. He also got involved in business and community activities.

He used his pitching knowledge to help develop young players while building a career away from the field.

Coaching and Mentoring Roles

Colborn jumped into coaching right after he hung up his cleats in 1978. He took on a pitching coach role in the minor leagues during the early 1980s.

His time as a major league pitcher made him a real asset to young prospects. Colborn taught them proper mechanics, but he also focused a lot on the mental side of pitching.

He bounced around a bit, working with several organizations as an instructor. His calm attitude and technical know-how seemed to help players at all kinds of skill levels.

Colborn ran clinics and worked at baseball camps too. He got to share what he knew with amateur players in those settings.

He always zeroed in on fundamentals during his coaching years. Control and changing speeds—he really hammered home how those things keep hitters off balance.

Business and Community Involvement

After baseball, Colborn tried his hand at business in a few different ways. He leaned on connections from his playing days to find new opportunities.

He got involved with real estate ventures in the Midwest. Those business moves gave his family some financial stability after his baseball years.

Colborn showed up at community events and charity functions now and then. Former players often use their name to help local causes, and he was no different.

He made appearances at baseball card shows and memorabilia events. That kept him in touch with baseball fans, even if he wasn’t on the field anymore.

He also pitched in with youth baseball programs around his community. Teaching young players stayed important to him long after he retired.

Colborn managed to balance his business interests and family time. He kept a much lower public profile than he had during his playing career.

Net Worth and Personal Life

Jim Colborn’s financial success mostly came from his major league pitching career, which ran from 1969 to 1978. After baseball, he took on coaching and instruction work that added to his post-playing income and helped him maintain strong family ties.

Earnings From Baseball

Colborn’s baseball earnings matched the salary structure of 1970s Major League Baseball. He made the most during his years with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1972 to 1976.

His most successful season financially was 1973 when he won 20 games. That performance probably earned him a solid raise for the seasons that followed.

In the mid-1970s, average MLB salaries sat somewhere between $40,000 and $60,000 a year. As a 20-game winner and proven starter, Colborn likely pulled in more than most.

He played nine seasons with teams like the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, and Kansas City Royals, which gave him steady income. Without free agency until 1976, players like Colborn couldn’t negotiate much early on.

Other Professional Ventures

After he retired in 1978, Colborn jumped into coaching and player development. He worked as a pitching coach for several big league organizations.

His coaching career included stints with the Chicago White Sox and other teams. That kept him earning from baseball while he passed on what he knew to younger players.

Colborn also got involved in baseball instruction and youth development programs. Those gigs let him stay close to the game and earn a bit extra.

He worked baseball camps and clinics throughout his post-playing years. These activities kept him active in the baseball community and brought in some additional income.

Family and Personal Background

Jim Colborn got married while he was still playing. He managed to keep his family life steady, even with all the chaos that comes with professional baseball.

His wife stood by him, dealing with the wild travel schedules and everything else the sport threw their way.

They had kids who basically grew up at the ballpark. Colborn did his best to juggle work on the field and time with his family, even when the schedule was brutal.

After he retired, he stayed close to his hometown. You’d often see him at local baseball events or helping out with youth programs.

When he wasn’t thinking about baseball, Colborn liked to play golf and try out other hobbies. These activities gave him a break from the constant pressure of the game.

People around him—teammates, coaches, friends—always saw him as thoughtful and sharp. His analytical way of looking at baseball seemed to spill over into his personal life, too.