Jim Adduci, Father and Son - 238

Read the revisited Jim Adduci feature from September 2012, Jim Adduci, Rather Be 

A veteran of 70 major league games, Jim Adduci is a ready source of information for his son, Jim, who is currently fighting for a spot on the Cubs roster. The younger Adduci told the Arlington Heights Daily Herald recently that advice from his father is just a call away.

"Mostly, everything is about having fun," the younger Adduci told the paper. "This game is fun, and before you know it, it's over, so you might as well enjoy it. That's kind of his main message he gives to me."

The elder Adduci spent eleven years in pro baseball, playing in parts of four seasons in the majors with three teams. A seventh round pick by the Cardinals in 1980, Adduci made his debut with St. Louis in September 1983, playing 10 games.

He returned to the majors in 1986 with Milwaukee for three games, getting the call after an injury to Billy Jo Robidoux got injured. Then 44 more in 1988. In between, Adduci played in Japan for the Taiyo Whales.

The 44 games in 1988 were despite being seen by a Milwaukee Sentinel columnist as the last man on the roster, the man that didn't fit in. By that time, May 16, Adduci had been in only eight games, getting to bat four times.

"It's a different role," Adduci told the Sentinel columnist. "It's difficult to get used to."

"But I'm not taking it for granted," Adduci added, "because I waited a long time to get to the big leagues. I'd rather be here, than playing every day in (AAA) Denver."

Adduci joined he Phillies system for 1989, playing 13 games in Philadelphia, the remainder at AAA Scranton. He returned to Scranton for 1990, ending his pro career.

It was during his 1985 stint with the Brewers' AAA team in Vancouver that Adduci's son Jim was born. The Daily Herald ended its story with Adduci's thoughts on his son making the majors, something that the father would love to see, but he'd be content either way.

"He doesn't have to play in the big leagues for me," the elder Adduci told the paper. "I would be happy for him because he worked so hard at it.

"But it would be more for him. I'm proud of him already."

• Milwaukee Sentinel, May 16, 1988: Adduci is Brewers' lonely man on team
• Chicago Tribune, Feb. 11, 2010: Adduci hopes to follow in major league father's footsteps
• Arlington Heights Daily Herald, March 4, 2010: Some fatherly advice helps Adduci stay focused

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Reviewed: 77/880 - 8.8%
Made the Majors: 46 - 60%
Never Made the Majors: 31 - 40%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 16
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 26