Jim Acker

James Justin Acker (born September 24, 1958) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1983 to 1992. He played college baseball at the University of Texas.

Acker was drafted in the first round by the Atlanta Braves in the 1980 Major League Baseball Draft and was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays teams that won the 1985, 1989, and 1991 American League East division. He also played for the Seattle Mariners.

Professional career

Toronto Blue Jays

He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round, 21st pick, of the 1980 Major League Baseball Draft. But on December 6, 1982 he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays from the Atlanta Braves in the 1982 Rule 5 Draft. He played for the Jays for four years performing mainly as a relief pitcher.

Atlanta Braves

On July 6, 1986 Acker was traded by the Blue Jays to the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Joe Johnson. He spent four years with the Braves, the team who originally drafted him, compiling a record of 7-27 with 16 saves a 3.71 in 169 games.

On August 24, 1989 Acker was traded by the Braves back to the Toronto Blue Jays for Francisco Cabrera and Tony Castillo.

Blue Jays, second tenure

He spent part of the 1989 year and the complete 1990 and 1991 season with the Blue Jays. In his entire seven year career with the Jays he compiled a record of 26-22 with 14 saves and an ERA of 4.07 in 281 games.

On October 31, 1991 he was granted free agency.

Seattle Mariners

Acker signed as a free agent with the Seattle Mariners on February 2, 1992. He had a dismal season in '92 appearing in 17 games compiling a 5.28 ERA.

He was granted free agency on July 21, 1992

Back to the minors and retirement

Acker spent time with the Calgary Cannons in 1992 and ended his baseball career with the Oklahoma City 89ers in 1993.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)