A native of Barnett, Georgia, Bagby began his playing career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1912. His pitching records that year were not impressive, so the Reds let him go. He returned to major league baseball with the Cleveland Indians in 1916. Bagby posted 23 wins in 1917, following with 17 wins the next two campaigns. The 1920 Indians team was powered with stars such as Tris Speaker, Stan Coveleski and Ray Caldwell, and minor-league call-up Duster Mails, Charlie Jamieson, Elmer Smith and Bagby. On September 2 of that year, Bagby won his 31st game of the season, defeating the Tigers 10–1 in a game that clinched the American League pennant for the Indians. Since that game was played, only three other pitchers have collected 30 victories in one season: Dizzy Dean, Lefty Grove and Denny McLain. On October 10, Bagby's turn to make World Series history came in Game 5. It was a game filled with World Series firsts, as Elmer Smith became the first player in the Series history to hit a grand slam in the game's first inning. During the game's fourth inning, Bagby came to bat with two men on bases, hitting the first home run by a pitcher in modern World Series history. The following inning, another of Bagby's teammates, Bill Wambsganss, turned in the first unassisted triple play in World Series history. In 1921, it was Bagby's pitch that Babe Ruth hit as his record-breaking 120th home run. Before the 1923 season Bagby was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He retired at the end of the season. In a nine-season career, Bagby posted a 127–89 record with 450 strikeouts and a 3.11 ERA in 1821.2 innings pitched. In World Series play, he had a 1–1 record with an ERA of 1.80. Bagby was a good hitting pitcher in the majors, posting a.218 batting average with 69 runs, 35 doubles, 6 triples, 2 home runs, 60 RBI and drawing 32 bases on balls. Baseball historians Bill James and Rob Neyer have ranked Bagby's screwball the ninth-best of all time. His son, Jim Bagby Jr., was also a major leaguer who played for the Red Sox, Indians and Pirates. The Bagbys became the first father and son to pitch inthe World Series when Jim Jr. appeared for the 1946 Red Sox. Jim Bagby died in Marietta, Georgia at age 64. He was survived by his son Jim Jr. and two daughters, Mabel Moore and Elizabeth Fincher.
