Jim Bolger (baseball)
James Cyril Bolger was an American professional baseball outfielder. He appeared in 312 games over all or parts of seven Major League Baseball seasons, but spent over two-thirds of his big-league playing time — 260 games — as a member of the Chicago Cubs. Bolger had short stints with the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, and Philadelphia Phillies. His MLB totals included 140 hits, 14 doubles, six triples, and six home runs, with a career batting average of.229. Bolger threw and batted right-handed. During his playing days, he stood tall and weighed.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Bolger attended Purcell Marian High School. He began his pro career with the Reds, also playing Minor League Baseball in their farm system.
On October 14, 1951, Bolger was traded by the Cincinnati Redlegs to Buffalo for pitchers Moe Savransky and Tom Acker.
Bolger's best MLB season came in 1957. He spent the full season with the Cubs as their fourth outfielder, appeared in 112 games, and batted a career-high.275, in 273 at-bats. The previous year, Bolger had been named a Pacific Coast League all-star, after he batted.326, with 147 runs batted in, 193 hits, and 28 home runs, as a member of the Los Angeles Angels.
Bolger's 13-year professional career ended in 1962, after he batted.319 for the Triple-A Louisville Colonels.
Bolger died on April 9, 2020 at the age of 88.
