Jim Bethke

Born: 11/5/1946 in Falls City, NE, USA

Died: 7/19/2025 in Kansas City, MO, USA

MLB Debut: 1965-04-12 | Final Game: 1965-09-11

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 185 lbs

Full name: James Charles Bethke

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Biography

Jim Bethke, born in 1946, was a professional baseball pitcher who had a brief yet impactful career in Major League Baseball. He played from April 12, 1965, to September 11, 1965, during a time when the league was transitioning from the post-World War II era into a new age of athleticism and power. Bethke made a name for himself as a reliable option on the mound, finishing his career with a record of 2-0 and an earned run average (ERA) of 4.28. Although he did not record any saves, he demonstrated his ability to strike out batters, amassing a total of 19 strikeouts over his short tenure in the league. Despite the brevity of his career, Bethke's contributions to his team during the 1965 season reflected the grit and determination of a player navigating the challenges of the major leagues. His playing style was characterized by a competitive spirit and a commitment to improving his craft, which resonated with fans and teammates alike. Though he did not achieve long-term stardom, Jim Bethke remains a part of baseball history, representing the many players who have contributed to the game in various capacities across different eras.

Career Pitching Statistics

W	L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	ERA	Pitcher PIV
2	0	25	0	0	0	0	40.0	41	19	3	22	19	4.28	0

Career ERA 4.28 vs. league average 3.50 across their career seasons — 22.2% worse than league average.

Season-by-Season Pitching

Year	Team	Lg	W	L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	ER	BB	SO	ERA	Lg ERA	Pitcher PIV
1965	NYN	NL	2	0	25	0	0	0	0	40.0	41	19	22	19	4.28	3.50 (-22%)	-1152.8

Career Batting Statistics

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	PIV
25	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0.000	0.000	0.000	0.000	0.0

Career AVG .000 vs. league average .246 across their career seasons — 100.0% below league average.

Career OBP .000 vs. league average .311 across their career seasons — 100.0% below league average.

Career SLG .000 vs. league average .372 across their career seasons — 100.0% below league average.

Career OPS 0.000 vs. league average 0.683 across their career seasons — 100.0% below league average.

Season-by-Season Batting

Year	Team	Lg	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	AVG	Lg AVG	Lg OBP	Lg SLG	Lg OPS	PIV
1965	NYN	NL	25	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0.000	—	—	—	—	0.0

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position	G	GS	PO	A	E	DP
P	25	0	2	12	0	2

Season-by-Season Fielding

Year	Team	Pos	G	GS	PO	A	E	DP
1965	NYN	P	25	0	2	12	0	2

Career Games by Position

Position	Games
Pitcher	25