Jim McAndrew, who made his debut in the major leagues against Bob Gibson in 1968 for the New York Mets as a replacement for Nolan Ryan, has passed away at the age of 80.
McAndrew, a right-handed pitcher, transitioned from a spot starter to a regular in the Mets rotation from 1968 to 1973. He notably clinched a crucial victory for the Mets in September 1969 against Montreal, propelling them into first place for the first time in the team’s history.
Despite his contributions, McAndrew didn’t participate in the postseason for the Mets’ championship victories in 1969 and 1973. His tenure with the Mets concluded with a record of 37 wins, 53 losses, and a 3.65 ERA before being traded to San Diego.
In his major league debut, McAndrew faced off against Lou Brock and Roger Maris, but surrendered only one run in a 2-0 loss to Bob Gibson’s dominant pitching performance. Following Nolan Ryan’s return from military service, McAndrew was temporarily reassigned to Triple-A but later rejoined the Mets.
Extremely saddened by news of the passing of Jim McAndrew, a solid pitcher for the 1969 World Champs and 1973 NL Champs. As Murph told us, “From Lost Nation, Iowa”. An extremely nice man. It was a pleasure to know him. RIP.
— Howie Rose (@HowieRose) March 15, 2024
McAndrew encountered a rough start in his early days with the Mets, enduring four losses without run support, including a defeat against Juan Marichal and the Giants, which brought his record to 0-5. However, he finally secured his first victory on August 26 against St. Louis, pitching a five-hit shutout against another Hall of Famer, Steve Carlton, in a tight 1-0 game.
A notable moment in McAndrew’s career occurred on September 10, 1969, when he pitched 11 innings against Montreal, contributing to a 3-2 victory for the Mets. This win coincided with other favorable outcomes for the team, leading them to claim the top spot in the league standings for the first time in eight seasons, eventually paving the way for their legendary World Series triumph over Baltimore.
Born in Lost Nation, Iowa, on January 11, 1944, McAndrew initially pursued baseball and basketball at the University of Iowa before focusing solely on baseball due to a knee injury. He was drafted by the Mets in 1965 and progressed through various levels of the minor leagues before making his mark in the majors.
Following his baseball career, McAndrew transitioned into the coal industry, working in sales and management. He is survived by his wife Lyn, daughter Jana, and sons Jamie, Jeff, and Jon. Notably, Jamie also pursued a career in baseball as a right-handed pitcher, having been drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and later playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.
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