Jim Small, a former outfielder for the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Athletics, was born on August 3, 1937 in Portland, Oregon. He spent his formative years in the Pacific Northwest, where he developed a love for baseball at a young age. Small attended Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, California, where he honed his skills on the baseball field and caught the attention of scouts looking for promising young talent.
After graduating from Bellarmine College Preparatory, Small was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1955. He made his Major League debut that same year, joining the Tigers as an outfielder. Over the next three seasons, Small showcased his speed and defensive prowess in the outfield, earning a reputation as a solid and dependable player.
In 1958, Small was traded to the Kansas City Athletics, where he continued to impress with his performance on the field. Despite a brief stint as a pitcher later in his career, Small's true talents shone through as an outfielder, where he excelled in tracking down fly balls and making highlight-reel catches.
Off the field, Small was known for his humble and hardworking nature. He was a devoted family man, always putting his loved ones first. His upbringing in the close-knit community of Portland instilled in him values of loyalty and integrity, which he carried with him throughout his career in professional baseball.
Throughout his time in the Major Leagues, Small's dedication to the game and his teammates never wavered. He was a respected presence in the clubhouse, known for his work ethic and positive attitude. Small's legacy lives on in the memories of fans who watched him play and in the stories shared by former teammates and coaches.
Small's impact on the game of baseball may not have been as flashy or as celebrated as some of his contemporaries, but his contributions to the sport were undeniable. He may not have been a Hall of Famer like his teammate Al Kaline, but Small's name is forever etched in the history of the game, remembered by those who knew him as a true professional and a class act both on and off the field.