MLB Legends: Remembering Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe is remembered for being one of the greatest athletes in history. Born on this day in 1887, he also had a solid MLB career, spending six years in the majors.

Usually, when one thinks of Jim Thorpe, one thinks back to his time in the Olympics. Considered one of the greatest athletes in history, Thorpe won the gold medal in both the pentathlon and he decathlon. Thorpe became the fist Native American to win a gold medal, only to have them taken away when it was discovered that he played semi-pro baseball for a couple of years, costing him his amateur status.

Knowing that Thorpe had played some baseball previously, and looking for a boost at the box office, New York Giants manager John McGraw signed Thorpe to a contract. He was considered to be a publicity stunt, as Thorpe would barely see the field. From 1913 through 1915, he had just 118 at bats, producing a .195/.215/.271 batting line. He would spend all of 1916 with the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association, where he had a .274 batting average and 49 extra base hits, including ten homers.Thorpe looked like he could be a usual piece on a MLB roster.

McGraw, however, disagreed. Eventually, Thorpe was sold to the Cincinnati Reds, where he finally had a chance at a full time role. He performed relatively well, and was sent back to the Giants for the end of the year. Overall, in his first real taste of action, Thorpe had a decent .237/.275/.357 batting line, worth an OPS+ of 96.

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Back in a part time role with the Giants again the following year, Thorpe was once again productive. He continued to improve, posting a .248/.286/.381 batting line, worth an OPS+ of 103. Sent to the Boston Braves in 1919, Thorpe had the best season of his six year career. He had a .327/.359/.428 batting line, driving in 26 runs and stealing seven bases. That would be his final MLB campaign, as he would spend the next two years in the minors before ending his baseball career.

That was not the only professional sport Thorpe would play. He was also a star in the NFL, and played in the early incarnations of the NBA. By the time his athletic career was over, Thorpe was inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame, the NFL Hall of Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame. It is understandable that he was named the greatest athlete in the first half of the 20th century.

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Jim Thorpe may not have been a MLB star, but he showed solid improvement with each season. Had he been given a real chance, maybe he would have been remembered for a remarkable baseball career as well.