Yesterday afternoon I received a call from Jim Northrup's wife with the sad news of his passing. After traveling and appearing together for signings for many years I've become quite endeared by this iconic man who was not shy to share his opinion on things.
I first met Jim approximately seven years ago at a deli on Telegraph Road in Southfield in order to interview him for my book, "FROM GLORY DAYS." Knowing his humble beginnings on a farm in mid-Michigan only made his humble post-athletic life unsurpising to me, which included a stint in the cattle business with one of the first companies involved in artifical insemination according to Jim. This 1968 World Champion Detroit Tiger was even offered a job as a foreman in a coal mine in Georgia but quickly returned to Michigan when he discovered the position required carrying a pistol on his hip in order to "keep unruly workers in line," he stated.
I'm saddened by his passing, especially for his wife and children, and also saddened by the loss of a different generation of iconic professional athletes. A generation when you negotiated your own contracts with general managers, you worked a 'real job' during the off-season in order to fend for your family (Jim once told me his highest salary was approximately $35,000 not $35 million as we may be accustomed to in Major League Baseball today), and where 'team' and 'family' really did have great meaning.
Jim Northrup, who was actually kicked off his college baseball team, ended his professional baseball career based on the needs of his family and the difficulties traveling from them proved to override his desire to play.
Jim spent the final years of his life surrounded by his wife and young children, 'guarding the house' as he would call it when they were off to work or school.
I will miss Jim and the many laughs he provided me with his direct opinions and no-holds-bar humor. But more importantly, our baseball community will miss another icon from a passing generation of champions who've exemplified what a professional champion should be.
RIP Jim Northrup!!!
Here's a clip from my recent TV interview with Jim, which was not short on many laughs...which is just the way I'd like to remember him.
www.youtube.com/fromglorydays
