| Jim Landis | |
|---|---|
 Landis in 1962 | |
| Center fielder | |
| Born:(1934-03-09)March 9, 1934 Fresno, California, U.S. | |
| Died: October 7, 2017(2017-10-07) (aged 83) Napa, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 16, 1957, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 27, 1967, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .247 |
| Home runs | 93 |
| Runs batted in | 467 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
James Henry Landis (March 9, 1934 – October 7, 2017) was anAmerican professionalbaseball player. Landis played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) as acenter fielder on six teams from 1957 through 1967. While playing eight seasons for theChicago White Sox, he was anAmerican League (AL)All-Star in 1962 and an ALGold Glove Award winner five consecutive seasons. Landis is considered to be one of the best defensivecenter fielders in major-league history.[1]
Landis attendedRichmond High School inRichmond, California where he starred in baseball as athird baseman andContra Costa College inSan Pablo, California. He was signed by the White Sox as an amateur free agent in 1952.[2] Landis served in theU.S. Army during theKorean Conflict in 1954 and 1955, and was stationed inAlaska before beginning his major league career.
Landis began his career in the major leagues playing for theChicago White Sox in 1957, where he remained for seven more seasons. He helped the"Go-Go White Sox" win the 1959American LeaguePennant, hitting.272 with 26doubles. He led theAmerican League that season with 13sacrifice hits and 426 and 420putouts as a center fielder and anoutfielder, and hit .292 during the1959 World Series against theLos Angeles Dodgers.
In the 1960 season, he hit .253 and had 23stolen bases. In 1961, he hit .283 with 22home runs, 8triples, 85RBIs, and won his first of five consecutiveAmerican LeagueGold Glove Awards. In 1962, he played in two All-Star games.[3] In 1963, Landis led the American League in fielding with a .993fielding average both as a center fielder and an outfielder.
Landis was traded on January 20, 1965 to theKansas City Athletics, where he played one season. He also played one season for theCleveland Indians in 1966. In 1967, he finished his 11-year major league career playing for three teams: TheHouston Astros,Detroit Tigers, and theBoston Red Sox.
Known more for his defensive abilities, Landis posted a .989fielding percentage at all three outfield positions in his major league career.
Landis went into the safety sign business for several years after playing professional baseball and also coached for Babe Ruth League baseball. He made his home inNapa, California, with his wife Sandy (née Foster).[4]
Landis succumbed after a 3-month battle with lung cancer at his home in Napa on October 7, 2017, the day following his 61st wedding anniversary. He was 83.[5][6][7]
The Chicago White Sox announced on September 30, 2000, that Jim Landis and 26 other former and active White Sox players were members of the Chicago White Sox All-Century Team. He was honored by fans in Chicago as "The Best All-Time Chicago Center Fielder".
Landis was mentioned in a 1991 episode of the 6th season ofMarried... with Children, "If I Could See Me Now". As Al watches TV, the announcer asks a sports trivia question, "Who played centerfield for the '59 White Sox?" Al correctly gives Landis' name.
· Baseball Almanac