Jim McNeil
Raleigh Tigers
Negro Baseball League 1958-1960
Hamlet, North Carolina
James (Jim) McNeil was born April 16, 1934, in Hamlet, North Carolina. Jim was the fourth of eight children born to Dorothy Davis McNeil and Willie Clarence McNeil. Graduating in 1955, Jim attended Monroe Avenue High School where he participated in football, basketball, track and baseball. In 1954, Jim was voted the Colored High School Conference All Conference quarterback. This achievement was highlighted during the 1954 Monroe Avenue High School Homecoming game. During this game Jim completed five out of five passes throwing two for touchdowns. Jim also ran one touchdown for 90 yards and a second touchdown for 75 yards.
Baseball Years
From an early age Jim McNeil wanted to be a baseball player and a catcher. As a child he could not afford a catcher's mitt, so he took one of his mother's old hats and added some padding to make his first catcher's mitt. At 5' 11" and 205 pounds; with unusual speed and power, Jim was a natural baseball player. Jim batted left and threw right. After high school, Jim began his semiprofessional career with the Hamlet Blues in 1951 and 1952. In 1953 and 1954 Jim played for the Rockingham Giants. After joining the United States Army, Jim was stationed in West Germany and played for the SOCOM Commanders (Southern Germany). In 1958, while playing for the Raleigh Tigers (Negro American League), Jim played in the Negro League Baseball East West All Star Game held in Chicago, Illinois. During these days, Negro League players overlooked the discomforts and dangers of travel sometimes sleeping in parks, YMCA's, boarding houses and on buses; frequently eating at black owned restaurants or from grocery stores. Negro League players were also known to play with home made baseballs.
STATS
1959 Raleigh Tigers G: 13 Avg: 277 AB: 47 R: 9 H: 13
United States Army
Jim McNeil served as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army from October 14, 1955 to October 13, 1961. In 1954, Jim shipped to post World War II West Germany aboard the USNS Upshur.
Negro Baseball League Hall of Fame
In 2011, Jim McNeil was inducted into the Negro League Legends Hall of Fame culminating a life long love of baseball.
JIM MCNEIL BASEBALL TIMELINE
- Hamlet Blues: 1951, 1952
- Rockingham Giants: 1953, 1954
- Memphis Red Sox: 1955
- Raleigh Tigers: 1958, 1959, 1960
- Negro League East West All-star Game: 1959
- United States Army: SOCOM Commanders (Southern Germany)
- SOCOM batting title: 1956-1957
- Signed to Triple a Contract with Los Angeles Dodgers: 1958
- Negro League Legends Hall of Fame: 2003
- President's Call to Service Award: 2010
- Negro Baseball Hall of Fame, Birmingham, Alabama: 2011
