Jim Umbricht
Encyclopedia
James Umbricht was an American
Major League Baseball
right-handed relief pitcher
. He was born in Chicago, Illinois
, and attended the University of Georgia
. He pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates
(1959–61) and Houston Colt .45s
(1962–63). During his 5-year baseball career, Umbricht compiled 9 wins
, 133 strikeout
s, and a 3.06 earned run average
. He became known throughout baseball and the Houston area for his battle against cancer
.
Umbricht underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his leg in March but was able to return to the Colt .45s to post a 4-3 won/loss record and a solid 2.61 earned run average
in 35 games that season. He would play his final game, September 29, 1963, the final day of the regular season, the same game Colt .45's outfielder John Paciorek
would have a career day, going 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs, 2 walks and 4 runs scored as Houston beat the New York Mets
, 13-4. This game would mark Paciorek's only major league appearance.
Umbricht succumbed to malignant melanoma on the eve of the campaign in Houston at the age of 33. His uniform number (32) was immediately retired by the club (known since 1965 as the Houston Astros
) and the Astros' MVP award was named in his honor. He began his professional baseball career as an infielder
before converting to pitcher.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right-handed relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. He was born in Chicago, Illinois
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, and attended the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
. He pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1959–61) and Houston Colt .45s
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
(1962–63). During his 5-year baseball career, Umbricht compiled 9 wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
, 133 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s, and a 3.06 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. He became known throughout baseball and the Houston area for his battle against cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.
Umbricht underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his leg in March but was able to return to the Colt .45s to post a 4-3 won/loss record and a solid 2.61 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 35 games that season. He would play his final game, September 29, 1963, the final day of the regular season, the same game Colt .45's outfielder John Paciorek
John Paciorek
John Francis Paciorek is an American baseball player with three career Major League at-bats, all for the Houston Colt .45s in 1963.He is famous for having arguably the greatest one-game career in baseball history...
would have a career day, going 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs, 2 walks and 4 runs scored as Houston beat the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, 13-4. This game would mark Paciorek's only major league appearance.
Umbricht succumbed to malignant melanoma on the eve of the campaign in Houston at the age of 33. His uniform number (32) was immediately retired by the club (known since 1965 as the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
) and the Astros' MVP award was named in his honor. He began his professional baseball career as an infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
before converting to pitcher.