Jim Bolger (baseball)
Quick Facts
Biography
James Cyril Bolger (born February 23, 1932) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He appeared in 312 games over all or parts of seven Major League seasons, but spent over two-thirds of his big-league playing time—260 games—as a member the Chicago Cubs. He had short stints with the Cincinnati Reds (nine games), Cleveland Indians (eight) and Philadelphia Phillies (35 games). Overall, he collected 140 hits, including 14 doubles, six triples and six home runs. His career batting average was .229.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attended Xavier University, Bolger threw and batted right-handed; he stood 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and weighed 180 pounds (82 kg). Bolger's best MLB season came in 1957. He spent the full season with the Cubs as their fourth outfielder, appeared in 112 games (starting 57, including two starts as a third baseman) and batted a career-high .275 in 273 at-bats. The previous year, he had been named a Pacific Coast League all-star after he batted .326 with 147 runs batted in, 193 hits and 28 home runs as a member of the Los Angeles Angels.
Bolger's 13-year professional career ended in 1962 after he batted .319 for the Triple-A Louisville Colonels.