Jimmy Dale Sexton (born December 15, 1951) is an American former

professional baseball Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in baseball league, leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world. Mod ...

infielder An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field. Standard arrangement of positions In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles. ...

. He played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) for the

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West division. The team joined the American League ...

Houston Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after ...

Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...

, and

St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Since the 2006 season, the Cardinals ha ...

. Sexton signed his first professional contract with the

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...

in 1970. In his minor league career, Sexton batted .282 with 951

hits Hits or H.I.T.S. may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music * ''H.I.T.S.'', 1991 album by New Kids on the Block * ''...Hits'' (Phil Collins album), 1998 * ''Hits'' (compilation series), 1984–2006; 2014 - a British compilation album se ...

in 3,373

at-bats In baseball, an at bat (AB) or time at bat is a batter's turn batting against a pitcher. An at bat is different from a plate appearance. A batter is credited with a plate appearance regardless of what happens during their turn at bat, but a batt ...

, and 137 doubles, 36 triples, and 30

home runs In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team. A home run i ...

. In his major league career, Sexton batted .218 with 81 hits in 372 at-bats, with 9 doubles, 3 triples, 5 home runs, 24

RBIs A run batted in (RBI; plural RBIs ) is a statistic in baseball and softball that credits a batter for making a play that allows a run to be scored (except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play). For example, if the bat ...

, and 36

stolen bases In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a runner advances to a base to which they are not entitled and the official scorer rules that the advance should be credited to the action of the runner. The umpires determine whether the runner is safe or ...

Professional career

Pittsburgh Pirates

Sexton began his professional career within the

organization, playing for the rookie-level

GCL Pirates The Florida Complex League Pirates are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, competing in the Florida Complex League of Minor League Baseball. Prior to 2021, the team was known as the Gulf Coast League Pirates. The team plays its h ...

of the

Gulf Coast League The Florida Complex League (FCL) is a rookie-level Minor League Baseball league that operates in Florida, United States. Before 2021, it was known as the Gulf Coast League (GCL). Together with the Arizona Complex League (ACL), it forms the lo ...

in 1970. He batted .283 with 2 doubles in 33 games. The next season, Sexton continued to play for the GCL Pirates. He batted .244 with 2 doubles, and 1

triple Triple is used in several contexts to mean "threefold" or a " treble": Sports * Triple (baseball), a three-base hit * A basketball three-point field goal * A figure skating jump with three rotations * In bowling terms, three strikes in a row * ...

in 35 games. In 1972, Sexton was promoted to the short-season Niagara Falls Pirates of the

New York–Penn League The New York–Penn League (NYPL) was a Minor League Baseball league that operated in the northeastern United States from 1939 to 2020. Classified as a Class A Short Season league, its season started in June, after major-league teams signed th ...

. That season, Sexton batted .288 with 2 doubles, and 3 triples in 69 games. Sexton was promoted again to start the 1973 season, this time playing for the Class-A

Salem Pirates Salem may refer to: Places Canada Ontario * Bruce County ** Salem, Arran–Elderslie, Ontario, in the municipality of Arran–Elderslie ** Salem, South Bruce, Ontario, in the municipality of South Bruce * Salem, Dufferin County, Ontario, part ...

of the

Carolina League The Carolina League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated along the Atlantic Coast of the United States since 1945. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 unti ...

. In 124 games, Sexton batted .269 with 17 doubles, 3 triples, and 3 home runs with Salem. The next season, he was promoted to the Double-A

Thetford Mines Pirates The Thetford Mines Pirates and the Thetford Mines Miners (French language, French: ''les Pirates (Mineurs) de Thetford Mines'') were the names of a Canada, Canadian minor league baseball franchise that represented Thetford Mines, Quebec, in the Do ...

of the Eastern League. Sexton batted .249 with 14 doubles, 1 triples, 3 home runs, 32

, and 31

. Sexton was fifth in the Eastern League in stolen bases. Sexton stayed at the Double-A level in 1975, this time playing for the

Shreveport Captains The Shreveport Captains (1971–2000) and Shreveport Swamp Dragons (2001–02) were a professional minor-league baseball team based in Shreveport, Louisiana. They were affiliated with the California Angels (1971–72), Milwaukee Brewers (1973–74 ...

in the

Texas League The Texas League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated in the South Central United States since 1902. It is classified as a Double-A league. Despite the league's name, only its five South Division teams are actually based in the ...

. He batted .274 with 23 doubles, 5 triples, 3 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 48 stolen bases. That season, Sexton led the Texas League in stolen bases. In 1976, Sexton split the season between the Double-A Shreveport Captains, and the Triple-A

Charleston Charlies The Charleston Charlies were a Triple-A minor league baseball team located in Charleston, West Virginia. Two separate Charlies franchises played in the International League from 1971 to 1983. The team was the relocated Columbus Jets. In 1977 the ...

of the

International League The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball ...

. In 59 games at the Double-A level, Sexton batted .324 with 14 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, 30 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases in 207

. After his promotion to the Triple-A level that season, Sexton batted .273 with 8 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 12 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases in 49 games.

Seattle Mariners

On December 7, 1976, the Pirates traded Sexton along with

shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball or softball fielding position between second and third base, which is considered to be among the most demanding defensive positions. Historically the position was assigned to defensive specialists who ...

Craig Reynolds for left-handed

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw ...

Grant Jackson. Despite making the major league roster in the beginning of the season, Sexton was assigned to the Triple-A

San Jose Missions The San Jose Missions were a Minor League Baseball, minor league baseball team located in San Jose, California. The Missions played from 1977 to 1978 as members of the Triple-A (baseball), AAA Pacific Coast League. The Missions name returned in 19 ...

of the

Pacific Coast League The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...

on April 8, 1977. With the Missions, he batted .256 with 13 doubles, 5 triples, 2 home runs, 23 RBIs, and 52 stolen bases. Sexton was third in the Pacific Coast League in stolen bases that season. As a member of the Mariners' inaugural season, Sexton batted .216 with 1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run, 3 RBIs, and 1 stolen bases in 14 games. Sexton made his major league debut on September 2, against the

Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...

and in 4 at-bats, Sexton went without a

hit Hit means to strike someone or something. Hit or HIT may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities * Hit, a fictional character from '' Dragon Ball Super'' * Homicide International Trust, or HIT, a fictional organization ...

. Sexton's first hit was a

single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...

left field In baseball, a left fielder, abbreviated LF, is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound. In the numbering system ...

on September 4, against Toronto Blue Jays' pitcher

Jerry Garvin Theodore Jared Garvin (born October 21, 1955) is an American former professional baseball player who pitched a total of six seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Toronto Blue Jays from 1977 to 1982. He was named by Topps as their left- ...

. Sexton also hit his first major league home run that game in the 7–2 Mariners' win.

Houston Astros

Sexton was traded to the

for

Leon Roberts Leon Kauffman Roberts (born January 22, 1951) is a former corner outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1974 through 1984 for the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas Ci ...

on December 6, 1977. In his first season with the Astros, 1978, Sexton batted .206 with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 6 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. Sexton played shortstop, second base, and

third base A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball or softball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. In the scoring system us ...

for the Astros that season. The next season, Sexton again spent the entire season on the major league roster. In 52 games with Houston, Sexton batted .209 with 8 runs, 1 RBIs, 1 stolen bases, and 7 walks in 43 at-bats. In 1980, Sexton was assigned to the Triple-A

Tucson Toros The Tucson Toros were a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. The original Toros were a Triple-A minor league baseball team in the Pacific Coast League from 1969 to 1997, where they won the PCL Championship in ...

of the Pacific Coast League. During his stint with the Toros, Sexton batted .296 with 18 doubles, 6 triples, 1 home runs, 33 RBIs, and 55 stolen bases. He was third in the Pacific Coast League in stolen bases that season, behind Marshall Edwards who had 68 stolen bases, and Kim Allen who had 84 stolen bases.

Oakland Athletics

The Houston Astros traded Sexton to the

on February 13, 1981, for a

player to be named later In Major League Baseball, a player to be named later (PTBNL) is an unnamed player involved in exchange or "trade" of players between teams. The terms of a trade are not finalized until a later date, most often following the conclusion of the seaso ...

or cash considerations. That season, Sexton played for both the Athletics at the major league level and the Triple-A Tacoma Tigers of the

. He began the season with the Tigers and batted .319 with 16 doubles, 8 triples, 4 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 56 stolen bases. Sexton was tied with

Rudy Law Rudy Karl Law (born October 7, 1956) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played seven seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1978 to 1986 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, and Kansas City Royals. In 1983, ...

for second in the Pacific Coast League in stolen bases, behind

Alan Wiggins Alan Anthony Wiggins (February 17, 1958 – January 6, 1991) was an American professional baseball player. He was a second baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles between 1981 and 198 ...

who had 73 stolen bases. Sexton made his A's debut on September 8, in a game where he replaced

Wayne Gross Wayne Dale Gross (born January 14, 1952), is an American former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) primarily as a third baseman from 1976-1986. Gross was named to the All-Star Game as a rookie in 1977 as a las ...

as a

pinch runner In baseball, a pinch runner is a player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing another player on base. The pinch runner may be faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been sub ...

, and scored a run. After 7 games with the Athletics in 1981, Sexton went hitless and stole 2 bases. In 1982, Sexton again split the season between the Triple-A Tacoma Tigers, and the major league Athletics. With the Tigers, Sexton batted .310 with 4 doubles, 2 home runs, 6 RBIs, and 9 stolen bases. Sexton played his first major league game of the season on April 8. With Oakland, Sexton batted .245 with 4 doubles, 2 home runs, 14 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. On June 6, 1983 Sexton was

designated for assignment Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must within seven days, return the pla ...

, and was later released by the Athletics.

Chicago White Sox

On June 23, 1983, Sexton was signed by the

Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...

. He played for the

Denver Bears Denver () is a consolidated city and county, the capital, and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Its population was 715,522 at the 2020 census, a 19.22% increase since 2010. It is the 19th-most populous city in the United ...

, the Triple-A affiliate of the White Sox. On August 10, Sexton was released by the White Sox.

St. Louis Cardinals

Sexton signed with the

on August 15, 1983, and played for both the Triple-A

Louisville Redbirds Louisville ( , , ) is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most-populous city in the United States. Louisville is the historical seat and, since 2003, the nominal seat of Jefferson County, on the Indiana border. ...

of the

American Association American Association may refer to: Baseball * American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891 * American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997 * American Association of Profe ...

, and the major league Cardinals. Between the Redbirds and the Bears in 1983, Sexton batted .300 with 4 doubles, 1 triple, and 5 home runs. With the Cardinals, Sexton batted .111 in 6 games. The next season, Sexton played with the Triple-A Louisville Redbirds, and batted .217 in 9 games. That season, 1984, would prove to be Sexton's last season in professional baseball.

References

External links

, o
Retrosheet
o
Pura Pelota (Venezuelan Winter League)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sexton, Jimmy 1951 births Living people Cardenales de Lara players Charleston Charlies players Denver Bears players Gulf Coast Pirates players Houston Astros players Louisville Redbirds players Major League Baseball shortstops Niagara Falls Pirates players Navegantes del Magallanes players American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela Oakland Athletics players Salem Pirates players San Jose Missions players Seattle Mariners players Shreveport Captains players Baseball players from Mobile, Alabama St. Louis Cardinals players Tacoma Tigers players Thetford Mines Pirates players Tucson Toros players