Jim St. Vrain

Who was Jim St. Vrain?

James Marcellin St. Vrain, a native of Ralls County, Missouri, was a Major League Baseball pitcher. The left-hander played for the Chicago Orphans in 1902, and at just 19 years of age he was the youngest player to appear in a National League game that season.

St. Vrain made his major league debut in a road game against the Cincinnati Reds at the Palace of the Fans. He pitched well, but the Orphans lost 2–1. His first major league win came against the New York Giants on May 9. He pitched a 5–0 complete game shutout in front of the home crowd at West Side Park.

St. Vrain pitched well during his only season but gave up a lot of unearned runs. He is also remembered for running the wrong way on the bases; although he was a left-handed pitcher, St. Vrain batted right-handed. One day, manager Frank Selee suggested he try batting left-handed, and upon making contact with the ball, St. Vrain was confused enough to run to third base.

In a total of 12 games, 11 starts, 10 complete games, and 95 innings pitched, he had 51 strikeouts and only 25 walks, and gave up just 22 earned runs. Though his record was 4–6, his ERA was a sparkling 2.08.