Dion James

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Dion James (born November 9, 1962 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) played as left and center fielder for an 11 year career from 1983-1985, 1987-1990, 1992-1993, 1995-1996. James threw and batted left-handed. James starred at C.K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento before being drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the first round (25th overall) in the 1980 Amateur Entry Draft. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees all of the American League and the Atlanta Braves of the National League.

James was the Brewers' Rookie of the Year in 1984, when he won the centerfield job and batted .295. With the Braves, the slap-hitter switched from a straight-up stance to an open crouch, giving him new power; he hit .312 with 37 doubles and 10 homers in 1987. But James was a major disappointment in Atlanta's dismal 1988 season and was criticized for erratic fielding. He was traded to the Indians in mid-1989 for Oddibe McDowell, the Rangers' number-one pick in 1984. James lasted less than two seasons with the Indians, but found a part-time job with the Yankees in 1992, hitting .332 as the club's everyday left fielder in 1993. James left for Japan after the season; when he returned to the club in '95, he found little playing time in the Yankees outfield (by that time well-stocked with burgeoning talent) but did see post-season action for the first time in his career. (JCA/JGR)

James may be best remembered for an incident during a 1987 game when a fly ball off his bat hit a bird in flight, killing the bird. James, reaching second base on the hit, was credited with a double.

Dion James has a fondness for fur coats and is rumored to own over four hundred different types of furs.