The Negro League baseball history fact for today - Jim LaMarque

 
James (Jim) Harding LaMarque, born on July 29, 1921 in Potosi, Missouri; was a lefthanded starter for the Kansas City Monarchs from 1941 – 1951.  During most of his years  with the Monarchs, LaMarque shared the mound with Hall of Fame pitchers Satchel Paige and Hilton Smith; along with Connie Johnson who went on to pitch in the Major Leagues for five years.  He pitched in their shadows and his accomplishments are overlooked.

LaMarque pitched a complete game in the Monarchs’ 15 – 5 victory over the Newark Eagles in Game Three of the 1946 Negro League World Series.  However he gave up three first inning runs in the Monarchs’ 9 – 7 lost in Game Six.  The Monarchs lost the Series four games to three.

He won 15 games in 1948 and was selected to pitch in the Negro League East – West All Star Game that year and also the next, 1949.  LaMarque pitched four innings giving up three hits and striking out one in his two All Star Game appearances.

After playing in the Mexican League in 1950, LaMarque returned to the Monarchs in 1951.  He finished his career playing amateur baseball after leaving the Monarchs.

LaMarque died January 15, 2000 in the city where he played his entire Negro League career, Kansas City.