Jim Pearce really stood out during the 1940s and 1950s, and not just because he was a towering 6’6″. He became one of the tallest players around, but what people really remember him for is his grit and determination during a tough, winding professional career.
Coming from Zebulon, North Carolina, Pearce pitched right-handed and managed to put together a solid 15-season run in professional baseball. He spent five of those years in Major League Baseball, playing for the Washington Senators and Cincinnati Redlegs.
Between 1949 and 1955, Pearce played in 30 MLB games and finished with a 3-4 record and a 5.78 ERA. But honestly, those numbers only scratch the surface of his story. He spent most of his career grinding it out in the minors and racked up a 136-132 record with a 3.89 ERA—a testament to his skill and staying power.
Pearce signed with the Chicago Cubs as a 19-year-old amateur free agent. He wrapped up his career with the Charleston ChaSox in 1959. His journey paints a vivid picture of what life was like for a journeyman pitcher in baseball’s golden age.
He bounced between organizations, faced off against some legends, and after baseball, he pivoted to a 25-year career at the Westinghouse Meter Plant in Raleigh.
Jim Pearce’s Early Life and Background
James Madison Pearce was born on June 9, 1925, in Zebulon, North Carolina. Growing up in this rural town gave him the work ethic and character that would define his baseball journey.
Childhood in Zebulon, North Carolina
Jim spent his early years in Zebulon, a small Wake County town. The tight-knit community made it easy for young athletes to get noticed.
Back in the 1920s and 1930s, Zebulon was your typical Southern town. Baseball was the go-to activity for kids. Because the town was so small, standout players like Pearce couldn’t help but be noticed.
The Great Depression shaped Pearce’s early life. His family, like many others, struggled financially. He had to learn hard work and resilience early on.
Even as a teenager, Pearce was unusually tall. His height—eventually 6’6”—gave him a clear edge on local baseball fields.
Family and Personal Influences
Pearce’s family made sure he understood the value of dedication. His parents pushed the importance of sticking with things, no matter what.
Baseball probably ran in the family (maybe?), but there aren’t many details about his parents’ involvement. What’s certain is they backed him from the start.
His community also played a huge role. Local coaches and mentors spotted his pitching potential early. They pushed him to take baseball seriously as he hit his teens.
His full name, James Madison, showed a nod to American history. But once he hit the pros, everyone just called him Jim.
Path to Professional Baseball
Pearce started chasing pro baseball in his late teens. By 1944, at 19, he’d caught the eye of major league scouts.
The Chicago Cubs signed him as an amateur free agent before the 1944 season. He was still a tall, skinny kid with plenty of raw talent.
His first four years were tough. Pearce pitched in the Cubs’ low minors, ending up with a 30-40 record. He showed flashes of promise, but he had a lot to learn.
The Cubs let him go after the 1948 season. That could’ve been it, but the Washington Senators saw something in him and signed him before the 1949 season. That move got him to the majors that same year.
Major League Career Highlights
Jim Pearce’s big league career lasted five seasons, from 1949 to 1955. He played for both the Washington Senators and Cincinnati Redlegs.
He notched a memorable complete game win and had a handful of standout moments, even though his record sat at 3-4 with a 5.78 ERA over 30 games.
Debut with the Washington Senators
Pearce made his MLB debut on September 8, 1949, for the Washington Senators at 24. The righty from Zebulon was hard to miss at 6’6” and 180 pounds.
He faced the Philadelphia Athletics in his first game. Pearce pitched 4.1 innings, gave up 6 hits and 5 earned runs, walked 4, and didn’t strike anyone out. It wasn’t a win, but he made it to the big leagues.
His best season came in 1950. He appeared in 20 games for Washington, started three times, and won two out of three decisions. That was his only full season in the majors.
Key 1950 Stats:
- Games: 20
- Innings Pitched: 56⅔
- Win-Loss: 2-1
- ERA: 6.04
His biggest moment? On August 28, 1950, Pearce pitched his only complete MLB game. He beat the St. Louis Browns 9-3 at Griffith Stadium.
Tenure with the Cincinnati Redlegs
After a strong 1954 season in Double-A, the Cincinnati Redlegs picked up Pearce. He joined them in September 1954 and made an impact right away.
Pearce’s first game with Cincinnati was on September 14, 1954, at Ebbets Field. He held the Brooklyn Dodgers scoreless in two innings of relief.
Six days later, he started against the Milwaukee Braves at County Stadium. Pearce threw a complete game 3-1 win, and the only run scored was unearned, thanks to two Cincinnati errors in the seventh.
The next season was a mixed bag. On April 16, 1955, Pearce started against Milwaukee at Crosley Field but had a rough outing. He gave up an unearned run in the second and then four straight hits in the third, leading to three more runs and an early exit.
His last big league appearance was on May 3, 1955, against the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched one inning in relief and allowed one earned run.
Career Milestones and Memorable Games
Pearce pitched in 30 major league games over five seasons. He finished with a 3-4 record and struck out 22 batters in 85⅔ innings.
His 5.78 ERA shows how tough the majors can be. He gave up 97 hits and 53 walks during his MLB career.
Complete MLB Stats:
- Games: 30
- Wins: 3
- Losses: 4
- ERA: 5.78
- Strikeouts: 22
- Innings: 85⅔
That September 20, 1954, complete game against Milwaukee was the high point of his major league days. It proved he could compete at the top level.
Pearce’s baseball career didn’t end there, though. He played 15 total seasons, appearing in 426 professional games. He kept pitching in the minors after leaving the majors, finally retiring in 1959.
Statistical Overview and Performance
Jim Pearce’s five years in the majors produced pretty modest numbers—30 games with the Washington Senators and Cincinnati Redlegs. His 5.78 ERA shows he had a tough time sticking as a reliable pitcher, but his performance really swung from team to team.
Pitching Statistics and ERA
Pearce posted a 5.78 career ERA over 85.2 big league innings. His best work came with Cincinnati in 1954, when he didn’t allow a single earned run in 11 innings.
His ERA jumped around a lot. In his rookie year (1949) with Washington, he had an 8.44 ERA. Things got better in 1950, when he posted a 6.04 ERA over 56.2 innings.
But 1955 was rough. He finished with a 10.80 ERA in just 3.1 innings. Pearce never struck out many hitters—just 22 strikeouts against 53 walks.
Team Breakdown:
- Washington Senators (1949-1950, 1953): 6.43 ERA, 71.1 innings
- Cincinnati Redlegs (1954-1955): 2.51 ERA, 14.1 innings
Game Appearances and Win-Loss Record
Pearce played in 30 games across five seasons. He started seven times and completed two games. His career record was 3-4, with his best year in 1950 (2-1).
He made his MLB debut on September 8, 1949, at 24. His last big league outing came on May 3, 1955, against Philadelphia. He pitched one inning and gave up two hits.
Most of his appearances came in 1950—20 games, which is two-thirds of his career total. After that, he never played more than four games in a season.
He mostly worked out of the bullpen, coming in as a reliever 23 times. Pearce finished six games but never picked up a save.
Fielding and Batting Contributions
Pearce’s defense left a bit to be desired. He finished with a .913 career fielding percentage, well below the league average of .955.
He made two errors in 23 total chances over five seasons. His worst fielding years were 1949 and 1953, with .833 and .500 percentages. On the bright side, he was perfect in the field in 1950, 1954, and 1955.
At the plate, Pearce didn’t get much of a chance to hit. His range factor was 2.21 per nine innings, just a bit higher than the league average of 2.02. He managed to pick off one baserunner in his career.
He allowed three stolen bases and caught one runner, ending up with a 25% caught stealing rate. But honestly, his defensive impact was minimal, since he didn’t play much and spent most of his time as a reliever.
Minor League Journey and International Play
Jim Pearce’s pro baseball career stretched from 1944 to 1959. He spent most of those years in the minors, bouncing around the U.S. and even playing in Canada, Cuba, Panama, and South America. He built a reputation as a dependable pitcher wherever he went.
Early Years in the Minors
Pearce started his pro career in 1944 after the Chicago Cubs signed him as an amateur free agent. At 6’6”, he was already one of the tallest guys in the game.
His first four seasons with the Cubs’ minor league teams were tough. He went 30-40 and struggled to get consistent results. The Cubs eventually released him.
The Washington Senators picked him up before the 1949 season and sent him to the Charlotte Hornets in the Tri-State League. Things started to click for Pearce there.
With Charlotte, he found a groove and finished 10-10 with a 2.38 ERA. That earned him his first call-up to the majors later that year.
International Experiences in Canada, Cuba, and Panama
Pearce’s career took him all over the map. According to his obituary, he played minor league ball in Canada, Cuba, Panama, and South America.
His best international season came with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League in 1957. Pearce went 15-8 with a 3.65 ERA. Even after that strong year, no major league team brought him back up.
Playing abroad gave Pearce the chance to keep improving. He faced different competition and learned new styles, which helped him become a more complete pitcher.
His time overseas also shows how far professional baseball reached in the 1950s. A lot of American players went international to keep their careers going and to make a little extra money.
Final Seasons and Retirement from Pro Baseball
Pearce put together a respectable journeyman’s record in the minors, finishing with 136 wins, 132 losses, and a 3.89 ERA. He wrapped up his professional playing days in 1959 with the Charleston ChaSox in the South Atlantic League.
In 1955, the same year he made his last major league appearance, Pearce went 12-5 for the Omaha Cardinals of the American Association. That strong season just came a little too late to get him back to the majors.
After he hung up his cleats, Pearce moved back to Zebulon, North Carolina, his hometown. He landed a job at the Westinghouse Meter Plant in Raleigh and stuck with it for 25 years until he retired in 1985.
Pearce passed away on July 17, 2005, at age 80 in Raleigh. His family buried him in the Pearce Family Cemetery in Zebulon, so his journey really did come full circle.
Life After Baseball
Once Pearce retired from pro baseball in 1955, he figured out a new path in metallurgy and stayed close to his North Carolina roots. He spent 25 years working at Westinghouse in Raleigh, and kept strong ties to his hometown, Zebulon, during his post-baseball life.
Career at Westinghouse
Pearce found steady work at the Westinghouse Meter Plant in Raleigh, North Carolina, serving as a metallurgist for a quarter-century. This career change really showed off his adaptability and technical skills outside of baseball.
He found financial security and a sense of professional satisfaction at Westinghouse after his playing days. As a metallurgist, Pearce worked with metals and their properties, a job that called for real precision and patience.
He put in 25 years at Westinghouse, showing his commitment and reliability. Pearce stayed at the company until his retirement in 1985, building a second career that even outlasted his time in professional baseball.
Personal Life Post-Retirement
After leaving Westinghouse in 1985, Pearce returned to Zebulon, North Carolina. That move spoke to how much he valued the place where he was born on June 9, 1925.
Pearce lived in the Raleigh area during his later years and kept close to the North Carolina community that shaped his early life. He spent his retirement in the same region where his professional baseball journey started so many years before.
He lived until July 17, 2005, passing away in Raleigh at 80. Pearce’s life spanned both professional athletics and industrial work.
Legacy in Raleigh and Zebulon
Pearce’s family laid him to rest in the Pearce Family Cemetery in Zebulon, which really shows how important his hometown was to him. That final resting place says a lot about the value he put on family and community.
He built a reputation in North Carolina as both a pro athlete and a skilled metallurgist. Pearce stood for hard work and adaptability, traits you saw in a lot of athletes from his era.
At 6-foot-6, Pearce’s journey from big league mounds to the Westinghouse plant in Raleigh highlighted a successful move from sports to everyday life. His 25-year run at Westinghouse proved that former athletes could carve out meaningful second careers in totally different fields.
Legacy and Impact on Baseball
Jim Pearce played pro baseball for 15 years, and his dedication and work ethic definitely left a mark. He influenced the game beyond just his stats, shaping how teammates and younger players approached baseball.
Reputation Among Peers
Teammates and coaches respected Pearce throughout his career with the Washington Senators and Cincinnati Redlegs. He moved between starting and relief roles, making himself a valuable part of any pitching staff.
Other players noticed Pearce’s determination and professionalism in both the majors and minors. He set an example for pitchers trying to make their way in pro baseball.
Coaches appreciated Pearce’s reliability and his willingness to fill whatever role the team needed. He played in places like Canada, Cuba, Panama, and South America, and he shared those experiences with younger players.
The respect he earned on the field reflected who he was off the field, too. Teammates saw Pearce as a steady presence in the clubhouse.
Influence on Future Generations
Pearce’s path from the minors to the majors showed aspiring pitchers what was possible. His development with teams like the Macon Peaches proved that hard work in the lower levels could open doors.
Young pitchers picked up on Pearce’s focus on refining mechanics and improving control. Even though he didn’t rack up a ton of major league appearances, his persistence stood out.
Playing internationally gave Pearce a broader view of baseball styles and techniques. He used that knowledge to help mentor younger players who wanted to grow their own careers.
Pearce’s work ethic became a model for anyone facing tough odds in making it to the big leagues. His story made it clear that baseball success takes more than just raw talent.
Lasting Recognition in Baseball History
Jim Pearce made his mark on baseball history with more than just his 30 major league appearances.
He spent 15 seasons in professional baseball, showing the kind of dedication that so many players bring to the game. Honestly, that kind of commitment forms the backbone of the sport.
Baseball historians often point to Pearce as part of the generation that helped push professional baseball into new countries.
He brought his game to international fields and, in doing so, helped baseball grow beyond its original borders.
When Pearce played for teams like the Washington Senators and Cincinnati Redlegs, he found himself right in the middle of important moments for those franchises.
The 1949-1955 era, in particular, brought a lot of changes to professional baseball, and Pearce got a front-row seat to all of it.
Records list Pearce with a 3-4 record and a 5.78 ERA in 85.2 innings pitched.
Sure, those numbers might seem modest, but they show he competed at the highest level and took on the challenge.
He’s buried at Pearce Family Cemetery in Zebulon, North Carolina, which keeps his story tied closely to his baseball beginnings.
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