Jim Paciorek

1.1. Early Life and College

James Joseph Paciorek was born on June 7, 1960, in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. After graduating from Orchard Lake St. Mary's Preparatory, Paciorek attended the University of Michigan. He was a talented multi-sport athlete, playing on both the baseball and American football teams. He initially enrolled at the university on a football scholarship, demonstrating his exceptional physical prowess.

1.2. Collegiate and International Amateur Baseball

In 1980, Paciorek played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League, a renowned league for promising college players. The following year, in 1981, he was selected to represent the United States in two significant international amateur competitions: the 10th Japan-U.S. Collegiate Baseball Championship and the 1981 World Games in Santa Clara. At the Japan-US Collegiate Baseball Championship, he notably played alongside John Elway, who later became a superstar in the NFL, and even took over the cleanup hitter role from Elway towards the end of the tournament due to Elway's struggles. In the 1981 World Games, Paciorek's team secured a gold medal.

2.1. Major League Baseball (MLB)

Paciorek's journey into professional baseball began with the MLB draft. In the 1981 MLB draft, he was selected in the 14th round (350th overall) by the Cleveland Indians, but he chose not to sign with them. The following year, in the 1982 MLB draft, he was drafted in the 8th round (209th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers, with whom he signed.

He spent the majority of his early professional career in the minor leagues, where his hitting philosophy prioritized contact and consistency over raw power; his highest home run total in a single minor league season was nine, achieved with the Double-A El Paso Diablos.

Paciorek finally made his Major League Baseball debut on April 9, 1987, with the Milwaukee Brewers. He played in 48 major league games that year, primarily as a first baseman or third baseman. In a notable game on April 15, 1987, his first start against the Baltimore Orioles, Juan Nieves achieved the first no-hitter in Brewers franchise history. Paciorek, starting in left field due to an injury to teammate Rob Deer, contributed with a fine defensive play that helped secure the historic feat. On April 12, 1987, in his second MLB game against the Texas Rangers, he had a unique experience where his older brother, Tom Paciorek, who was playing for the Rangers, also entered the game at first base in the 10th inning. Jim himself then took over first base for the Brewers in the 11th inning, marking a rare instance of two brothers playing against each other at the same position.

2.2. Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)

Having previously visited Japan during his college years for the Japan-US Collegiate Baseball Championship, Paciorek developed a strong desire to play professionally in Japan. This aspiration led him to join the Yokohama Taiyo Whales (now the Yokohama DeNA BayStars) in 1988, marking a significant turn in his career.

2.3. Retirement and Post-Playing Career

After retiring from playing baseball, Jim Paciorek remained involved in the sport. For one year, he served as a scout for the Hanshin Tigers, based in the United States. Following his scouting role, he transitioned to coaching at his alma mater high school.

Eleven years after his retirement from Japanese professional baseball, Paciorek made a special return to Japan on April 6, 2004. He participated in the opening ceremony of the home opener for the Yokohama BayStars against his former team, the Hanshin Tigers, at Yokohama Stadium, as part of the "150 Years of Japan-U.S. Exchange" commemorative events organized by the city of Yokohama and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Old-time fans of both teams fondly remembered his contributions to Japanese baseball and gave him an enthusiastic reception as he threw the ceremonial first pitch. He famously commented, "I can't say which team I'm rooting for since I played for both, but if I had to choose, I'd cheer for the Whales (Taiyo, meaning 'Great Ocean') today."

4.1. Titles and Awards

Paciorek's success in Nippon Professional Baseball earned him several prestigious accolades:

• Batting Champion** (NPB Central League): 1 time (1990)
• Most Hits** (NPB Central League): 3 times (1988, 1990, 1992). Although he led the league in hits these years, it was not an officially recognized award by the league until 1994.
• Most Winning RBIs** (NPB Central League): 2 times (1991, 1992). This was considered a special award.
• Best Nine Award** (NPB Central League): 3 times (1988 as outfielder, 1990 as first baseman, 1992 as first baseman).
• Gold Glove Award** (NPB Central League): 1 time (1992 as first baseman).
• Monthly MVP** (NPB): 3 times (July 1988, August 1990, September 1991).
• IBM Player of the Year Award** (NPB): 1 time (1992).
• Excellent JCB MEP Award** (NPB): 1 time (1990).

4.2. Notable Records

Beyond his titles and awards, Jim Paciorek established several notable records and milestones in Japanese professional baseball:

• First Appearance, First Hit, First Home Run, First RBI**: All occurred on April 8, 1988, against the Chunichi Dragons at Nagoya Stadium, off pitcher Tatsuo Komatsu, where he started as the number 6 hitter and left fielder.
• Most Assists by a First Baseman in an Inning**: 3 assists on July 30, 1992, against the Yomiuri Giants at Hanshin Koshien Stadium. This is a Central League record.
• Highest Monthly Batting Average (30+ plate appearances)**: .500 (40 hits in 80 at-bats) in September 1991. This remains a Central League record as of the end of the 2012 season.
• All-Star Game Selections**: 2 times (1992, 1993).

His uniform numbers during his professional career were:

• 14** (1987, Milwaukee Brewers; 1988-1991, Yokohama Taiyo Whales)
• 42** (1992-1993, Hanshin Tigers)

4.3. International Achievements

Paciorek's amateur career also included significant international success:

• Gold Medal**: 1981 World Games (representing the United States in baseball).
• United States National Team Selection**: 10th Japan-US Collegiate Baseball Championship (1981).