Jim Barr

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For the computer pioneer, see Anthony James Barr.
Jim Barr
Jim Barr
Pitcher
Born: February 10, 1948 (1948-02-10) (age 60)
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 31, 1971
for the San Francisco Giants
Final game
October 2, 1983
for the San Francisco Giants
Career statistics
Win-Loss     101-112
ERA     3.56
Strikeouts     741
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • Retired 41 straight batters over a two game period

James Leland Barr (born February 10, 1948 in Lynwood, California) is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the San Francisco Giants (1971-1978, 1982-1983) and California Angels (1979-1980). He is perhaps best-known for setting a record for consecutive batters retired (since tied by Bobby Jenks on August 12, 2007).

Barr attended the University of Southern California (USC), where his teammates included Dave Kingman, and helped lead their baseball team to a pair of NCAA championships in 1968 and 1970. He graduated from USC in 1970 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. After previously being drafted five times (by the California Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Minnesota Twins), he was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the third round of the 1970 amateur draft (Secondary Phase) and signed with the club that summer.

The Giants called Barr up from the minors midway through the 1971 season, and he posted a 1-1 record and a 3.57 ERA in 17 appearances out of the bullpen. He joined the team's rotation in the middle of 1972 and, despite never pitching a no-hitter or perfect game, that summer set the record for consecutive batters retired. Over the course of two starts, on August 23 and August 29, he retired 41 players in a row. On August 23rd against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he walked opposing pitcher Bob Moose to lead off the third inning and then retired the final 21 batters to end the game with a 2-hitter. In his next start, he retired the first 20 St. Louis Cardinals in order before Bernie Carbo earned a seventh inning double. He won that game too, with a complete game 3-hitter.

Barr went on to win at least ten games for the Giants in five straight seasons, from 1973 to 1977. During that time, he finished in the National League's top ten three times for earned run average and shutouts, twice for complete games and innings pitched, and led the league in 1974 with 1.76 BB/9IP. Following the 1978 campaign, he became a free agent and signed with the California Angels.

After winning 10 games in his first year with the Angels, Barr struggled with arm injuries in 1980 and was released prior to the 1981 season. He then signed with the Chicago White Sox and played part of the year for their Edmonton Trappers farm club before being let go again. He made a big league comeback with the Giants in 1982 and appeared in 53 games in both that season and the next.

In all, Barr pitched in 454 games (252 starts), with 64 complete games, 20 shutouts, and 74 games finished. He finished his career with a total of 101 wins, 112 losses, 12 saves, and an ERA of 3.56.

Since ending his playing days, Barr has been pitching coach at Sacramento State University since 1995. He currently lives with his wife, Susie, in Granite Bay, California.

Barr's athletic predisposition has been passed on to his daughters, Betsy and Emmy. Both have played soccer collegiately and professionally. Betsy played soccer at the University of Portland and was a member of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) after being drafted by the San Jose CyberRays in 2003. Emmy went to Santa Clara University and played three seasons with the Washington Freedom of the WUSA. Additionally, his brother, Mark Barr, pitched in the Boston Red Sox farm system for several years in the 1970s.

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