Highlighting Our Heroes: Jim Bagby Jr.
By Aileen Sainz
Legislative Affairs Manager
Navy League of the United States
This is part of an ongoing series, where we look at the lives and legacies of U.S. sea service men and women.
Jim Bagby Jr. was born on Sept. 8, 1916, in Cleveland, Ohio, to James “Sarge” Bagby Sr. and Mabel Smith. Jim made it clear that he wanted to be a baseball player from a young age and learned to pitch from his father. Jim’s mother, on the other hand, wanted Jim to receive a proper education.
At the age of 12, Jim had to hang up his baseball mitt due to shoulder pain and injury. But at the age of 15, Jim began playing baseball again. Jim would go on to be a second-generation major league right-handed pitcher with the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates. Bagby’s baseball career reached its height in 1942 and 1943 with 17 wins during his All-Star seasons.
Despite his baseball career success, Jim fulfilled his mother’s wishes by enrolling in an art school. His long-term goal, aside from his professional baseball career, was to become a professional artist.
In 1944, Jim became an American Merchant Marine defending our country in World War II. He left his baseball career behind and answered the call. By this point in the war the Merchant Marine had suffered heavy losses, so enlisting in that service took real courage. In 1945, Jim wanted to become a serviceman in the Army. However, Jim was deemed disabled and unfit for military service due to his cleft palate, a condition he was born with.
The Merchant Marine allowed Jim to uphold his duty and answer the call to serve his nation. During the largest and deadliest war of the 20th century, Jim left his career and family behind to defend and honor his beloved homeland. That is what true patriotism is all about.