Jim Sundberg

Biography

Jim Sundberg was a professional baseball player who played as a catcher for various teams during his career. He was known for his excellent defensive skills and was considered one of the best catchers of his time. Sundberg played for the Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Kansas City Royals during his career.

Sundberg was born on May 18, 1951, in Galesburg, Illinois. He attended the University of Iowa, where he played college baseball. In 1973, he was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the second round of the MLB draft.

Sundberg made his major league debut with the Rangers in 1974 and quickly established himself as a top defensive catcher. He won six Gold Glove awards during his career, which is tied for the most by a catcher in American League history. Sundberg was also a three-time All-Star and was known for his ability to handle pitchers and call games.

In addition to his defensive skills, Sundberg was also a solid hitter. He finished his career with a .248 batting average, 95 home runs, and 624 RBIs. He was also known for his clutch hitting and was a key player in several playoff runs during his career.

Sundberg played for the Rangers for ten seasons before being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1984. He played one season with the Brewers before being traded to the Kansas City Royals in 1985. Sundberg played for the Royals for four seasons and was a key player on their 1985 World Series championship team.

After the 1988 season, Sundberg was traded back to the Rangers, where he finished his career in 1989. He retired with a career fielding percentage of .994, which is the highest among catchers with at least 1,000 games played.

After his playing career, Sundberg remained involved in baseball as a coach and executive. He served as a coach for the Rangers and was the team's interim manager in 2002. He also worked as a special assistant to the general manager for the Kansas City Royals.

In conclusion, Jim Sundberg was a highly respected catcher who was known for his excellent defensive skills and ability to handle pitchers. He was a six-time Gold Glove winner and a three-time All-Star during his career. Sundberg played for the Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Kansas City Royals and was a key player on the Royals' 1985 World Series championship team. After his playing career, Sundberg remained involved in baseball as a coach and executive.

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1978 Detroit Tigers vs Texas Rangers - Radio Broadcast

3 hours Apr 11, 1978Apr 11, 1978

On a crisp evening at Arlington Stadium on April 11, 1978, the Detroit Tigers faced...

1978 Detroit Tigers vs Texas Rangers - Radio Broadcast / On a crisp evening at Arlington Stadium on April 11, 1978, the Detroit Tigers faced the Texas Rangers in what promised to be a compelling matchup. The Tigers, with Dave Rozema on the mound, were looking to capitalize early in the season against the Rangers, who countered with starter Doc Medich. Both teams were eager to set the tone for their respective seasons, each carrying aspirations of climbing their division standings. The Rangers, with a lineup that blended speed and power, aimed to leverage their home-field advantage to overcome the visiting Tigers. The game began quietly, with both teams held scoreless through the first three innings. The Tigers broke through first in the fourth inning, signaling a shift in momentum, as they capitalized on key hits and a crucial double by Milt May that brought in two runs. The fifth inning proved pivotal, with the Tigers extending their lead by four runs, highlighted by a three-run homer from May that decisively swung the game in Detroit's favor. Texas struggled to respond, managing only a solo home run by Richie Zisk in the ninth inning, which was too little too late. Detroit's victory was marked by effective pitching from Rozema, who went the distance, allowing just two runs on six hits while the team's defense turned in a solid performance despite an error. The Tigers' offense was led by strong performances from Ron LeFlore and Rusty Staub, providing the necessary run support. This game was indicative of the challenges Texas faced early in the season, struggling to convert opportunities into runs. For Detroit, the win was a positive step in building momentum as they aimed to be competitive in their division.