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Slim Clary

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James Walter "Slim" Clary, born October 16th, 1892 in Star City, AR,1 was a professional baseball player from 1921-1925.

Biography

Clary, native of Star City, AR,2 3 4 had a short but relatively successful career in the higher ranks of minor league baseball. While pitching for a semi professional team in Wabbaseka, AR in 1921, Clary drew the attention of the Little Rock Travelers of the Southern Association.5 He was signed by Little Rock in early July and finished the season with a 3-6 and a favorable 2.45 ERA in 21 games. He returned to Little Rock in 1922 and went 11-9 with a 4.47 ERA. Afterward, he was sold to Bridgeport in the Eastern League with whom he went 21-15 with a 3.48 ERA. Before the 1924 season, he was purchased by Rochester and subsequently sold to Reading of the International League.6 He struggled with Reading and was traded to Jersey City in the same league late in the season.7 Combined, he finished with a 5-14 record and a 5.05 ERA. At the start of the 1925 season, he was turned over to Hartford in the Eastern League, but was released in late May as a result of arm trouble.8

After baseball, Clary returned to Arkansas. He died on June 13th, 1976 and was buried in Holly Springs Cemetery in Garnett, AR.9

Excerpts

"Claire, a long, rangy pitcher from Wabbaseka, Ark., also reported yesterday and will be given a trial [with the Little Rock Travelers]."10

"Clary Real Find, Says Elberfeld. "He's the best young pitcher in the minor leagues this spring," said Kid Elberfeld yesterday, in discussing Walter ("Slim") Clary of the [Little Rock] Travelers. "He's going up, too, and he has the stuff to stick," the Kid added. The Kid is strong for Clary because he's a good pitcher, because he's willing to work and because he's quick to learn. He believes that "Slim" will be among the best hurlers of the Southern [Association] this year and will be ready for the big show by fall. Clary came to the Travelers late last season, and at once showed his caliber. He suffered a little from stagefright his first time out, but after that he went like a veteran. He pitcher one three-hit game and two four-hit games, as his best performances."11

"Little Rock to Bridgeport --J. W. Clary."12

"President Mac Moore, of the Reading Ints., announces the purchase of pitcher James Clary, from the Rochester club. The new hurler will report to Spence Abbott at Jersey City today. . . .The Clary proposition is a cash affair. The new mount worker is right hander, 22 years old and of the type Spence Abbott likes, being 6 feet 2 inches tall. He was with Bridgeport of the Eastern League in 1923, where he won 21 and lost 15 games. He hails from Arkansas."13

"Yesterday Long Jim Clary was called home to Star City, Ark., where his wife is ill."14

"Long Jim Clary is on his way to Reading. Jim's wife, whose illness called him home, died last week and was buried Saturday. As soon after the funeral possible Clary started on the journey from Arkansas and will join the Keys in a day or two."15

"Long Jim Clary, Reading pitcher, probably will go to Jersey City in the near future in an even-up trade for Hanson of the Pests. The trade has been hanging fire for some time and is likely to go through shortly. Hanson is a classy hurler when in condition and should add strength to the Keys. Clary, while pitching good ball at times, has not been getting the breaks and a change may do him good."16

"[Reading] also released Pitcher Jim Clary outright to the Hartford Eastern League club."17

Stats

1921-1923 Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com.

1924-1925 Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com.