Bottomley, "Jim" (James L.)
Baseball
b. April 23, 1900, Ogleby, IL
d. Dec. 11, 1959
Known as "Sunny Jim" because of his cheerful disposition, Bottomley was one of the outstanding run producers of his era. A left-handed first baseman, he joined the NL's St. Louis Cardinals late in the 1922 season and became a starter in 1923, when he batted .371 to finished second in the league. Though he was a power hitter, the 6-foot, 175-pound Bottomley choked up about two inches on the bat and used a quick, compact swing to drive the ball.
On September 16, 1924, Bottomley drove in 12 runs, a record for a 9-inning game, with 6 hits in 6 times at bat. He hit .316 that season, with 14 home runs and 111 RBI.
Bottomley batted .367 in 1925, led the league in hits with 227 and doubles with 44, and had 21 home runs and 128 RBI. The following season, he helped the Cardinals win a pennant with 120 RBI, best in the league, and a .345 average.
After a .303 average, 19 homers, and 124 RBI in 1927, Bottomley was named the NL's most valuable player in 1928, when the Cardinals won another pennant. He led the league in RBI with 136 and in triples with 20, and he tied Hack Wilson of Chicago for the home run lead with 31.
Bottomley hit .314 and had 29 home runs and 137 RBI in 1929, yet faced a challenge for his job from Rip Collins the following season. He started for most of the season, however, batting .304 and driving in 97 runs.
Injuries sidelined him frequently early in the 1931 season and he temporarily lost the starting job. Then Collins was also injured; Bottomley took over and was involved in the closest batting race in history. Chick Hafey won with a .3489 average, Bill Terry was second at .3486, and Bottomley finished third at .3482.
After a .296 performance in 1932, the Cardinals traded him to Cincinnati, where he spent three indifferent seasons. He returned to St. Louis with the AL's Browns in 1936 and became playing manager during the 1937 season, his last in the major leagues.
Bottomley managed and played briefly in the minor leagues in 1938, then retired from baseball. He signed to manage another minor league team in 1957, but suffered a heart attack on opening day and was replaced. He died of a second heart attack less than three years later.