Ex-Braves Pitcher Chuck James On The Comeback Trail

by gondeee on Jun 14, 2010 2:02 PM EDT

Left-handed pitcher Chuck James was always a likable player and a fan favorite when he was with the Atlanta Braves, despite an ungraceful exit on the field and shoulder surgery which has kept him out of baseball since 2008. His seven starts for the Braves that year were anywhere from bad to worse, and it seemed that the days of this soft tossing lefty being effective in the Major Leagues was over. Then after that season and surgery it also appeared his career might be over.

James is now with the Nationals double-A team in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Last week he had the best start of his comeback, going five no-hit innings, walking one, and striking out seven. That performance led him to be named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week. It was his first start for the club since moving from the bullpen, and he has yet to allow an earned run in 14.2 double-A innings. James also made five starts in triple-A earlier in the season, but without as much success.

The jury is still out on whether James can make it back to the big leagues, but even if he does it with a division rival like the Nationals, there will be plenty of fans in Atlanta cheering for him.

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Reminds me of “Peanuts”….
“Hi, Chuck!”

"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones

by MBL1 on Jun 14, 2010 2:19 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Best of luck to Chuck.

"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton

by UMDBHIK on Jun 14, 2010 2:32 PM EDT reply actions

Good luck, Chuck

60% of the time, it works every time

by ATLandUNC on Jun 14, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

More upside than Strasburg?

I think so.

The base paths belonged to me, the runner. The rules gave me the right. I always went into a bag full speed, feet first. I had sharp spikes on my shoes. If the baseman stood where he had no business to be and got hurt, that was his fault. -Ty Cobb

by Tim Goad on Jun 14, 2010 2:33 PM EDT reply actions

I think not...

… but that’s a reflection on Stras more than James.

"I don't think there's any greater free-swinger in the game than Jeff Francoeur" - Tim McCarver, 4/17/2010

by carpengui on Jun 14, 2010 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Sarcasm was implied heavily

by Tim Goad on Jun 15, 2010 3:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Hell Yeah I'm Back!!!

I just hope I can pitch deeper into games

by 5InningsofChuckJames on Jun 14, 2010 3:16 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Ouch

by eaheckman10 on Jun 14, 2010 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Hahaha excellent.

"If you were going to make a Mount Rushmore of managers, Bobby's one of them."
-Mike Scioscia

by The Keith Lockhart Era on Jun 14, 2010 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I always liked Chuckie. I hope he does well and can make it back with the Natspos.

by eaheckman10 on Jun 14, 2010 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

Best of luck to him, regardless of who he’s pitching for. He always impressed me as a down-to-earth guy.

by John Holton on Jun 14, 2010 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

Dominating the minor leagues was never an issue for chuck. It was actually doing it at the major league level. His 2 pitch mix just doesn’t cut it out of the rotation

by telemakhos on Jun 14, 2010 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

remember when the rotation was huddy, smoltz, chuck, buddy carlyle, & jo-jo reyes? Dark days.

by beeswax on Jun 14, 2010 6:10 PM EDT reply actions

And they were just a mere Mark Tex away from a World Series

by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 14, 2010 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I still wonder all the time what would’ve happened in 2007 if Renteria didn’t sprain his ankle in Tex’s 2nd game. It totally killed the team’s momentum. And IIRC, Chipper got hurt shortly after too. That team was good.

"Sharks have a week dedicated to Jason Heyward."

by Scott Coleman on Jun 15, 2010 4:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

But it had holes

several holes, especially in the pitching department, and that is kind of an important area in the playoffs if you can even make the playoffs without it.

by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 15, 2010 6:53 AM EDT up reply actions

And Renteria wasn't exactly a huge loss...

yeah, he was having an amazing year, but Yunel filled in pretty well in his absence.

by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 15, 2010 6:59 AM EDT up reply actions

/Shudders

"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones

by MBL1 on Jun 14, 2010 9:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions