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

James William Russell wrapped up his Major League Baseball career on October 1, 1951, which happened to be his 33rd birthday in the small coal mining town of Fayette City, Pennsylvania.

Russell finished as a switch-hitting outfielder who spent nine seasons in the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Braves, and Brooklyn Dodgers. He ended up with a .267 career batting average and 67 home runs. In his final game for the Dodgers, he faced the New York Giants and went hitless in one at-bat.

Russell’s story stands out because he overcame significant health challenges to make it to professional baseball’s highest level. As a kid, he battled rheumatic fever, which left him with a weakened heart and eventually cut short what looked like a promising career during the 1948 season.

Even though the military classified him as 4F because of his heart, Russell took advantage of the wartime shortage of players to become a regular when many stars served overseas.

Russell’s journey from the coal mines of western Pennsylvania to the big league stadiums really captures the golden age of baseball, and it says a lot about the grit you need to succeed at that level.

He collected memorable achievements, changed teams a few times, and eventually faced the same heart condition that threatened his childhood, which led him to leave the game in 1951.

Early Life and Overcoming Adversity

Jim Russell grew up in western Pennsylvania, where health issues and family struggles could have stopped him before he started. Born into a working-class immigrant family in 1918, Russell survived a life-threatening illness as a child, then found baseball in the coal region’s sandlot games.

Family Background and Childhood in Fayette City

James William Russell was born October 1, 1918, in Fayette City, Pennsylvania, to James and Lillian Russell. His father had Irish-Welsh roots, and his mother was Swedish, reflecting the mix of immigrants in western Pennsylvania’s industrial towns.

The Russells lived right in coal country. Jim’s dad worked in the local mines, a tough and risky job that shaped life for many families in the Monongahela Valley.

Jim followed his dad into the mines, dropping out of school to help support the family. Back then, during the Great Depression, families often needed the extra income more than a diploma.

Rheumatic Fever and Health Challenges

Russell got hit with rheumatic fever as a child, a serious disease that can mess up your heart, brain, and other organs. For him, it turned into a dangerous heart infection.

Rheumatic fever usually strikes kids between 5 and 15. If doctors don’t treat it, it can permanently damage your heart valves and more.

Russell somehow pulled through this illness. That heart infection could’ve ended his dreams before they started. Plenty of kids who survived rheumatic fever ended up with health problems for life.

Getting better from that was huge for Russell’s future in baseball. He probably learned a lot about resilience and determination from the experience.

Developing Baseball Skills in Western Pennsylvania

Despite all the health scares and tough work in the mines, Russell started to build his baseball skills in local sandlot games. Western Pennsylvania has always had a strong baseball culture that turned out a lot of big leaguers.

Scouts noticed Russell quickly because of his speed and ability to switch-hit. He stood out among the local talent. Those sandlot leagues in coal country often acted as a pipeline to the pros.

Russell sharpened his game by competing against some pretty tough opponents—many of them former miners or industrial workers. The level of play was surprisingly high.

Eventually, his skills got him his first professional contract with the McKeesport Little Pirates in 1937. That was his ticket out of the mines and into pro baseball.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Jim Russell played ten seasons in Major League Baseball from 1942 to 1951. He made his name as a switch-hitting outfielder.

Across 1,035 games with three teams, he posted a .267 batting average and hit 67 home runs.

Major League Baseball Debut in 1942

Russell broke into MLB on September 12, 1942, with the Pittsburgh Pirates at age 23. He played in five games that season and got just one hit in 14 at-bats.

The Pirates bought his contract from the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League. Russell had impressed scouts with a .295 batting average and solid defense in Triple-A.

He debuted during World War II, when a lot of players were off serving in the military. Because of his childhood rheumatic fever, the military classified Russell as 4F, so he stayed home and found a spot in the majors.

Manager Frankie Frisch took notice of Russell right away. Frisch said Russell could be “as good as he wants to be.” Not a bad first impression.

Switch-Hitting Outfielder Skills

Russell stood 6’1″ and weighed 181 pounds, and he was one of the fastest guys in the league. He actually won a 60-yard dash contest for big leaguers, clocking in at 6.9 seconds.

Switch-hitting gave Russell an edge against both righties and lefties. He picked up left-handed hitting as a kid just to handle his brother’s curveball.

On defense, Russell played all three outfield spots but really shined in center field. He had a strong arm and good range, which was valuable in those big old ballparks of the 1940s.

Key Offensive Skills:

• Switch-hitting from both sides
• Drag bunting
• Base stealing speed (he swiped 51 bags in the minors in 1941)
• Gap power from either side

Key Career Highlights and Milestones

Russell had his best season in 1944, batting .312 with 181 hits, 34 doubles, and 14 triples. That put him ninth in the National League batting race.

On June 7, 1948, he tied a National League record with four extra-base hits in one game against the Chicago Cubs. He homered and doubled from both sides and drove in six runs.

Russell played for Pittsburgh (1942-1947), Boston Braves (1948-1949), and Brooklyn Dodgers (1950-1951).

Career Stats:

• Plate Appearances: Over 4,000
• Total Bases: 1,367
• Games Played: 1,035
• Batting Average: .267

A serious heart condition in 1948 pretty much ended his most productive years, but he hung around the majors until 1951.

Notable Seasons and Achievements

Jim Russell’s career had some shining moments, especially as a switch-hitting outfielder. His 1944 season was his best, and he also pulled off some rare feats as a pinch-hitter, even making baseball history.

1944 Peak Performance

Russell hit his stride in 1944 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He finished with a .312 batting average, 181 hits, and 109 runs scored in 152 games.

That year, he also racked up 34 doubles, 14 triples, and 8 home runs. He totaled 267 bases, drove in 66 runs, and stole 6 bases.

Russell finished 29th in MVP voting. His .460 slugging percentage and .859 OPS were big steps up from earlier years.

He contributed in just about every offensive category. His 181 hits were near the top for the team, and his 14 triples showed off his speed.

First Grand Slam as a Pinch-Hitter

Russell made history by becoming the first player to hit a grand slam as a pinch-hitter from both sides of the plate. That’s a pretty wild achievement.

Grand slams are rare, and doing it as a pinch-hitter is even tougher since you don’t have much time to get ready.

His ability to switch-hit made the feat possible. Not many guys can pull that off, honestly.

Historic Home Runs From Both Sides

Russell’s switch-hitting power went beyond just that grand slam. Over his career, he hit 67 home runs from both sides of the plate.

He could go deep as a lefty or a righty, which gave managers some flexibility. Russell was a threat no matter who was pitching.

He scored 554 runs and posted a .760 OPS. That .267 career average came against all kinds of pitchers.

Russell’s mix of power and versatility made him a real asset. With 1,437 total bases, he was a steady offensive contributor.

Teams and Transitions

Jim Russell’s MLB career lasted a decade and took him through three National League teams from 1942 to 1951. He went from Pittsburgh’s rebuilding years to Boston’s pennant chase, then to Brooklyn’s championship runs.

Pittsburgh Pirates Era

Russell started out with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1942. He played just five games that first year and only managed one hit in 14 at-bats.

From 1943 to 1947, Russell was a regular for the Pirates. He took over as center fielder in 1943, stepping up while many players served in World War II.

His top season with Pittsburgh was 1944, when he hit .312 and collected 181 hits. That ranked him ninth in the National League. He also had 34 doubles, 14 triples, and 8 home runs.

In 1947, Russell played with future Hall of Famers Ralph Kiner and Hank Greenberg. Manager Frankie Frisch liked Russell’s speed and defense, saying he “ought to bunt .300 in any league.”

After the 1947 season, the Pirates traded Russell to Boston along with catcher Bill Salkeld and pitcher Al Lyons.

Boston Braves Seasons

Russell joined the Boston Braves in 1948 after a November trade. The Braves sent outfielder Johnny Hopp and second baseman Danny Murtaugh to Pittsburgh.

In 1948, Russell was off to a great start with nine home runs and 54 RBIs in 89 games. The Braves led the National League standings.

On June 7, 1948, Russell tied an NL record with four extra-base hits in one game against the Cubs. He homered and doubled from both sides, driving in six runs. That was right in the middle of Boston’s pennant chase.

His season got cut short in August 1948 when doctors diagnosed him with subacute bacterial endocarditis, a serious heart condition. That ended his productive playing days and kept him out of the 1948 World Series.

Brooklyn Dodgers Tenure

The Brooklyn Dodgers picked up Russell for his last two MLB seasons in 1950 and 1951. It was his final shot at contributing in the majors.

His role in Brooklyn was pretty limited. The heart condition from 1948 had taken a toll, and he played fewer games with less impact at the plate.

Still, the Dodgers gave Russell a supportive place to finish his career. Brooklyn was always in the mix for the pennant back then, so he got to be part of a competitive team.

Russell retired after the 1951 season. He wrapped up his career with a .267 average, 67 home runs, and 428 RBIs in 1,035 games. Those last seasons in Brooklyn closed out a journey that began in Pittsburgh nearly a decade earlier.

Minor Leagues and Final Playing Years

Russell wrapped up his career in the Pacific Coast League before he retired from professional baseball in 1951. He split his final season between the majors and the minors, closing out a career that lasted about a decade.

Portland Beavers and Pacific Coast League

After he got hit with a heart illness in 1948, Russell just couldn’t get back to his old form. The Brooklyn Dodgers moved him to their top minor league team, the Montreal Royals, for most of the 1951 season.

He played in only 16 games for the Dodgers that year. In his last 13 at-bats, he didn’t manage a hit, and that ended up being his final year in the majors.

At the time, the Pacific Coast League stood as the top level of minor league baseball. Players often used it to work their way back to the majors or to keep playing a little longer.

Final Statistics:

• Last MLB Game: October 1, 1951 vs. New York Giants
• Final At-Bat: 0-for-1
• Age at Retirement: 33 years old

Retirement from Professional Baseball

Russell called it quits after the 1951 season. He played his last game on his 33rd birthday, October 1, 1951, facing the New York Giants.

That heart condition from 1948 really changed everything for him. Even though penicillin treatment saved his life, he never quite got his swing or athleticism back.

He spent 10 seasons in pro ball, from 1942 to 1951. Russell put together a .267 batting average, 67 home runs, and 428 RBIs over 1,035 games.

Career Totals:

• Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Braves, Brooklyn Dodgers
• Games Played: 1,035
• Batting Average: .267
• Home Runs: 67
• RBIs: 428

After baseball, Russell settled down in Orlando, Florida. He lived there until he passed away in 1987.

Legacy, Later Life, and Personal Details

Jim Russell spent his later years staying involved in baseball and enjoying a quiet family life in Pennsylvania. He died on November 24, 1987, remembered as one of the fastest players of his era and a respected figure in the baseball world.

Post-Retirement Scouting and Careers

Russell finished up his playing days in 1952 and 1953 with the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League. After he hung up his cleats, he kept close to the game in other ways.

At 6’1″ and 181 pounds, Russell moved from player to scout and instructor. Teams valued his sharp baseball mind and his knack for spotting talent.

He spent most of his post-baseball years in Pennsylvania, where he’d grown up. Russell kept up friendships with old teammates and stayed plugged into the sport. His switch-hitting and base-stealing skills had earned him a lot of respect in baseball circles.

Russell liked to look back on his career, especially his days with the Pirates, Braves, and Dodgers. He always seemed to have a soft spot for Pittsburgh, where he really made his mark as a major leaguer.

Impact on Baseball Community

Russell’s influence reached beyond his stats. He became the first major league player from Fayette City, Pennsylvania, a small coal mining town, and inspired a lot of young athletes from the area.

People noticed his speed and defense. He won a 60-yard dash contest for major leaguers, finishing in 6.9 seconds, just half a second off the college record.

Fans and baseball buffs kept asking about Russell’s career, even decades after he retired. His son Stephen often got questions about his dad’s playing days, which says something about the lasting mark Russell left on the sport.

His story struck a chord with people because of where he came from and what he went through. Russell fought off rheumatic fever as a kid and later battled heart problems, but he just kept pushing forward.

Passing and Commemoration

Jim Russell passed away on November 24, 1987, in Orlando, Florida. He was 69.

His journey stretched from the coal mines of Pennsylvania all the way to the major leagues. Not a bad run, honestly.

Back in 1951, during his time in Montreal, Russell married Theresa Mary Coreau from Arnprior, Ontario. They started their life together after he stepped away from baseball.

His legacy lives on in baseball record books and in the memories of fans who saw him play. Russell hit .267 for his career and knocked 67 home runs, which is pretty solid for a 10-year major league run.

Baseball historians still look at Russell’s impact, especially his role with the 1948 Boston Braves team that chased the pennant. People remember his name for his speed and the way he could switch-hit, and you’ll still find him in the record books.