Jim Atkins
Marine Corps Service
Atkins earned the title of United States Marine in 1942. By 1944, he had attained the rank of sergeant and was serving on Guam as an engineering chief aboard a C-47 transport aircraft. The available evidence confirms his presence on Guam but does not establish that he participated in the battle for the island or another combat engagement.
While on Guam, Atkins played occasional informal baseball games against teams of Seabees and sailors. After word of his ability reached Hawaii, he was transferred to Honolulu and spent approximately five or six months playing for a Marine baseball team managed by future Hall of Fame pitcher Ted Lyons. Bob Kennedy and Ted Williams were among the players on the club.
Atkins returned to the United States shortly after the war ended.
Baseball Career
Atkins made his Major League debut with the Boston Red Sox on September 29, 1950, and played his final Major League game on May 10, 1952. He appeared in four games, including one start, and finished with a 0–1 record and a 3.60 earned-run average across 15 innings.
In his only Major League start, against the Washington Senators on April 21, 1952, Atkins allowed two earned runs over 7⅓ innings and collected two hits in three at-bats. Those were his only Major League hits, giving the pitcher a career .400 batting average.
His professional career extended far beyond those four appearances. Atkins pitched in the minor leagues from 1941 through 1957, won 20 games for the Geneva Red Birds in 1946, led the American Association with 18 victories for Louisville in 1951, and threw a seven-inning no-hitter for the Oakland Oaks in 1953.
Gallery
Later Life and Legacy
After leaving professional baseball, Atkins spent approximately 20 years with Metropolitan Life Insurance, working as a salesman and later as an assistant manager. He died in Hanceville, Alabama, on February 28, 2009, and was buried at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Birmingham.