Jim Anderson (baseball)

James Lea Anderson (born February 23, 1957 in Los Angeles, California) is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. On June 3, 1975 he was drafted by the California Angels in the 2nd round of the 1975 amateur draft. He played for the Angels (1978-1979), Seattle Mariners (1980-1981), and Texas Rangers (1983-1984).

He made his major league debut on July 2, 1978 at Anaheim Stadium. He was the starting shortstop that day against the Texas Rangers, and went 1-for-3 with a walk against Dock Ellis and Steve Comer. The Angels won 4-3.

With the Seattle Mariners in 1980, Anderson had career-highs for games played (116), games started (84), plate appearances (345), hits (72), home runs (8), runs batted in (30), and runs (46).

Anderson's career totals include 419 games played, a .218 batting average (211-for-970), 13 HR, 86 RBI, 107 runs scored, and an on base percentage of .280. A true utility man, he made appearances at third base, second base, catcher, and the outfield, as well as at shortstop.

[edit] Trivia

Anderson led Texas League shortstops with 93 double plays while playing for the El Paso Diablos in 1977.
His first major league home run came against All-Star pitcher Jon Matlack of the Texas Rangers. {Arlington Stadium -- June 26, 1979}
had a pair of 4-hit games...three doubles and a single vs. the Kansas City Royals (July 1, 1979), and four singles vs. the Oakland Athletics (July 2, 1983)
had ten 3-hit games...the most impressive being a double and two singles, good for 5 RBI and 2 runs scored, vs. the Milwaukee Brewers (May 6, 1981)
hit a combined .338 (24-for-71) against All-Stars Bert Blyleven, Ron Guidry, Rick Honeycutt, Dave LaRoche, Jon Matlack, Bob Stanley, Dave Stieb, and Steve Stone
hit a combined .286 (6-for-21) against Hall of Famers Ferguson Jenkins and Gaylord Perry