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

James Edward Otten built a solid career as a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, leaving his mark with two teams during the 1970s and early 1980s.

He stood 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 195 pounds. Otten, an Arizona State University grad, threw his last pitch in pro baseball on September 30, 1981, while wearing a St. Louis Cardinals uniform.

He started as a second-round draft pick and worked his way up to become a reliable relief pitcher. That journey really shows the grit you need to make it in baseball’s top league.

Otten pitched in 64 games over eight seasons, finishing with a 1-6 record and a 5.46 ERA. He struck out 75 batters for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals from 1974 to 1981.

The Montana native had a few memorable moments, including his only major league win on May 14, 1981, when he delivered a scoreless eighth inning against the Houston Astros. That night, the Cardinals pulled off a wild 7-6 comeback.

Let’s dig into Otten’s career, from his early days, his time in the minor leagues, and the hurdles he faced as a pro pitcher.

From Arizona State to his last big-league appearance, Otten’s story mirrors the path of plenty of players who reached the majors and dealt with all the highs and lows that come with the sport.

Early Life and Education

James Edward Otten was born July 1, 1951, in Lewistown, Montana. He sharpened his baseball skills through high school and college before making it to the majors.

His road to pro baseball took him from small-town Montana to Arizona State University, one of the country’s top college baseball programs.

Childhood and Background

James Edward Otten came into the world on July 1, 1951, in Lewistown, Montana. This little central Montana town shaped his early years.

Growing up in Montana in the ’50s and ’60s, Otten played baseball in a region where the sport had to compete with all sorts of outdoor fun. The rural setting probably helped build his work ethic and determination.

His family encouraged his athletic side from the start. Montana’s long winters and short summers forced young players to squeeze a lot of ball into a short season.

The small-town vibe let Otten develop his basics without the intense pressure you’d find in a big city. That foundation came in handy as he moved up through tougher competition.

High School Baseball at Flathead

Otten attended Flathead High School, where he started to stand out as a real baseball prospect. The school’s baseball program gave him his first taste of organized competition.

During high school, Otten pitched right-handed. His performance at Flathead caught the eye of college scouts.

Montana’s high school baseball season was short because of the weather. Players had to make the most of every spring and summer.

Otten’s success at that level set him up for college recruitment. His pitching was impressive enough to get attention from schools outside Montana.

College Career at Arizona State University

After finishing high school, Otten enrolled at Arizona State University, which has a storied baseball program. Before that, he spent time at Mesa Community College to keep building his skills.

At Arizona State, Otten joined one of the top college baseball teams in the country. The Sun Devils had a reputation for sending players to the pros.

Moving from Montana to Arizona was a big jump in terms of competition. Arizona State’s program offered year-round training and matched up against some of the best teams.

Otten’s time there helped him sharpen his pitching and get ready for the pros. The coaching staff knew how to shape major league talent.

His college career ended with a call from a major league team. The mix of natural talent and good coaching at Arizona State made him a strong draft pick.

Path to Major League Baseball

Jim Otten’s path to Major League Baseball really took off at Arizona State University, where he developed as a right-handed pitcher.

He worked his way through the Chicago White Sox minor league system and finally made his big-league debut in 1974.

MLB Draft and Minor Leagues

The Chicago White Sox picked Jim Otten in the MLB draft after his college stint at Arizona State. He’d also spent time at Mesa Community College before transferring to ASU, where he really honed his pitching.

Otten climbed through the White Sox farm system in the early ’70s. He kept working on his pitching in the minors, getting himself ready for the majors.

The White Sox liked what they saw in the 6’2″, 195-pound righty from Montana. His time with their minor league teams helped him polish his skills and adjust to pro ball.

By 1974, Otten earned his shot with the White Sox. He made his Major League Baseball debut on July 31, 1974, facing the California Angels at just 23.

Notable Minor League Performances

There isn’t a ton of detail out there about Otten’s minor league stats or big games. Still, he kept developing and showed enough promise to get promoted.

He probably spent a lot of time working on his control and getting the experience he needed to face major leaguers. The White Sox coaches focused on preparing him for the big leagues.

Otten’s minor league run ended with his call-up to Chicago in 1974. His performance in the lower levels convinced the team to give him a shot.

Making it from the minors to the majors capped off years of hard work in the White Sox system.

Major League Career Overview

Jim Otten pitched in the majors for eight seasons, splitting time between two teams from 1974 to 1981.

He finished with a 1-6 record and a 5.46 ERA in 64 games for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.

Chicago White Sox Years

Otten started his MLB career with the Chicago White Sox on July 31, 1974. He debuted against the California Angels at 23. The right-hander struggled to find his groove with the White Sox.

He only pitched in nine games over three seasons (1974-1976) for Chicago. His best stretch came in 1974, tossing 16.1 innings with a 5.51 ERA. That season, he started once among five appearances.

The White Sox didn’t use Otten much in 1975 and 1976. He pitched just 5.1 innings in 1975, posting a 6.75 ERA. His last appearance with the White Sox came in 1976, when he threw six innings across two games.

Trade to St. Louis Cardinals

After a few years away from the majors, Otten landed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1980. The Cardinals gave him more chances than Chicago had.

He appeared in 31 games his first year in St. Louis. Otten mainly pitched out of the bullpen, though he made four starts in 1980.

His job was mostly middle relief, with the occasional closing gig. The Cardinals trusted him more, using him in 55 games over two seasons.

He tossed 91 innings for St. Louis, compared to just 27.2 with the White Sox. That heavier workload showed the team had some faith in him.

MLB Debut and Final Game

Otten made his big-league debut on July 31, 1974, against the California Angels. He threw one inning, allowed two hits, and didn’t strike out or walk anyone. That outing kind of set the tone for his career as a pitcher who relied on contact.

His last MLB game came on September 30, 1981, against the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched one inning, gave up two hits and three walks, and allowed two earned runs. The Cardinals released him on October 14, 1981.

Between his first and last games, Otten pitched 118.2 innings. He struck out 75 and walked 67. His career ended with a -2.1 WAR, which points to below-average performance.

Performance and Statistical Highlights

Jim Otten’s MLB career lasted eight seasons, with a 5.46 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 64 games.

His only win came during a memorable 1981 comeback for the Cardinals against Houston.

Pitching Role and Style

Otten mostly worked as a relief pitcher in the big leagues. He threw right-handed, stood 6’2″, and weighed 195 pounds.

He appeared in 64 games from 1974 to 1981. Otten never really locked down a regular starting job in the majors.

His WHIP of 1.83 shows he let nearly two baserunners reach per inning. That high number made things tough for him at the top level.

Otten bounced between middle relief and spot starts. He didn’t have the overpowering stuff you usually see from closers.

Season-by-Season Statistics

Otten’s career line reads 1 win and 6 losses with a 5.46 ERA. Those numbers kind of sum up the challenges he faced in the majors.

He suited up for two teams. The Chicago White Sox gave him his first shot in 1974.

Later, he joined the St. Louis Cardinals for 1980 and 1981. His last MLB appearance happened on September 30, 1981.

Strikeouts stayed on the low side, with just 75 over all his games. That lack of Ks limited his effectiveness.

Relievers with higher strikeout rates usually project better in the big leagues. Otten’s numbers just didn’t quite get there.

Notable Games and Achievements

Otten’s career highlight came on May 14, 1981, against the Houston Astros. That night, he picked up his only MLB win in dramatic fashion.

The Cardinals were down 6-1 in the eighth. Otten pitched one inning, gave up a hit, and struck out three.

Bruce Sutter, a Hall of Fame closer, finished the comeback. Joe Sambito took the loss for Houston.

That win stood out as Otten’s best moment in the majors. It came during his final season.

He debuted on July 31, 1974, with the White Sox. The long gap between his debut and only win says a lot about the tough road he traveled.

Retirement from Professional Baseball

Jim Otten wrapped up his baseball career after the 1981 season, closing out a seven-year run in the majors.

His last game was September 30, 1981, against the Philadelphia Phillies while pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Final MLB Season in 1981

The 1981 season marked the end for Otten. He pitched as a reliever for the St. Louis Cardinals that year.

On May 14, 1981, Otten hit a personal milestone with his only major league win. The Cardinals came back from a 6-1 deficit, and Otten pitched one inning, gave up just one hit, and struck out three.

Bruce Sutter saved the game for St. Louis. Otten’s final appearance came on September 30, 1981, against the Phillies. He pitched an inning, allowed two hits, walked three, and gave up two runs.

He finished his MLB career with a 1-6 record over 64 games.

Transition Out of Baseball

After his last outing in September 1981, Otten stepped away from pro baseball at 30. That wrapped up a career spanning parts of eight seasons between 1974 and 1981.

He played for two MLB teams—starting with the Chicago White Sox and finishing with the St. Louis Cardinals.

His numbers reflected his role as a reliever: 64 games, a 1-6 record, and time with both clubs.

The righty from Lewistown, Montana, made it to the highest level of the sport. He retired in 1981, closing the book on a career that began with his debut on July 31, 1974.

Legacy, Net Worth, and Personal Life

Jim Otten’s short MLB career spanned seven seasons with limited playing time. His finances have stayed mostly private, and he’s kept a low profile since leaving baseball.

Legacy in Major League Baseball

Jim Otten’s legacy in Major League Baseball really shows the ups and downs of a journeyman pitcher who hit more than a few bumps during his short career.

Between 1974 and 1981, Otten played in just 64 games for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.

His stats reveal the tough road he faced. Otten went 1-6 and ended up with a 5.46 ERA over 118.2 innings.

He struck out 75 batters and walked 67, so his strikeout-to-walk ratio landed at a modest 1.12.

Otten’s busiest season came in 1980 with St. Louis. He pitched in 31 games and started four, but finished with a 0-5 record and a 5.53 ERA.

In 1981, his last season, he posted a 5.30 ERA in 24 games. Not a huge jump, but maybe a small step up.

Fantasy baseball folks and MLB analysts almost never bring up Otten when they talk about players from the past. His short stint in the majors means he barely shows up in the baseball databases that fantasy fans dig through for old stats.

Life After MLB

Not much info exists about Jim Otten’s life after he left pro baseball in 1981. While a lot of former MLB players go into coaching, TV, or front office gigs, Otten seems to have just stepped away from baseball completely.

He was born in Lewistown, Montana, and stood 6-foot-2. Otten went to Arizona State University before going pro.

That college background probably gave him some choices outside of baseball when his career ended.

Since leaving MLB, Otten has kept to himself. He hasn’t popped up at baseball events or made any public appearances that tie him to today’s game.

Plenty of players from his era stay involved with baseball through alumni stuff or MLBPA activities, but there’s no record of Otten joining in.

Net Worth Information

You won’t find specific details about Jim Otten’s net worth in public records. Back in the 1970s and early ’80s, MLB salaries just didn’t come close to what players make now, especially if someone didn’t spend much time on the field.

Players like Otten usually took home pretty modest paychecks. Since he had a short career and not many appearances, I’d guess his baseball earnings were probably on the lower end compared to the regular starters or big-name relievers.

No one really knows what Otten did after baseball, so figuring out his current finances is honestly a shot in the dark. A lot of former players from that era just moved on to other jobs once they left the game.

It’s not unusual to see this kind of privacy. Guys who had short MLB runs and kept their lives quiet after retiring rarely have their financial details out there. Unlike the stars whose money stories end up in the news or on business sites, journeyman players like Otten usually keep things under wraps.