Jim McAndrew, a former major-league pitcher for the Mets and Padres, has passed away, according to Jay Horwitz, vice president of media relations for the Mets. McAndrew was 80 years old.
While McAndrew may have been overshadowed by Hall of Fame teammates Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan, he was a dependable back-end starting pitcher, and occasional reliever, throughout his time in Queens. Across 146 games with the Mets (105 starts), the Iowa native went 36-49 but pitched to an estimable 3.54 ERA. He was a member of the 1969 World Series champion team, and although he did not pitch in the postseason, he helped the Mets win the NL East that year, tossing 135 innings with a 3.47 ERA.
The following year, McAndrew pitched what was arguably the best season of his big league tenure. He made a career-high 27 starts, crossing the 100-strikeout threshold for the first and only time. Even more impressive, he maintained the lowest walk rate of his career. The 6-foot-2 right-hander threw nine complete games, three shutouts, and to top it all off, he earned two saves in five relief appearances. McAndrew had a difficult season in 1971 but bounced back in 1972, finishing 11th among qualified NL starters with a 2.80 ERA. He went 11-8 that year, adding another four complete games to his career tally. Unfortunately, the righty struggled again the next season, and as was the case in 1969, he did not pitch in the playoffs for the 1973 NL pennant-winning club.
After nine years in the Mets organization, six spent with the big league team, McAndrew played his final season for the Padres. He retired in 1974. Although his last MLB season was marred by injury, he still managed to throw one more complete game, bringing his career total up to an even 20.
McAndrew’s son Jamie, one of four children he shared with his wife Lyn, played two years in Major League Baseball. A right-handed pitcher like his father, the younger McAndrew pitched for the Brewers in 1995 and ’97. We at MLB Trade Rumors send our sympathies and condolences to McAndrew’s family and loved ones.
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