James Umbricht (September 17, 1930 — April 8, 1964) was an American Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and attended the University of Georgia. He pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1959–61) and Houston Colt .45s (1962–63). During his 5-year baseball career, Umbricht compiled 9 wins, 133 strikeouts, and a 3.06 earned run average. He became known throughout baseball and the Houston area for his battle against cancer.
Umbricht underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his leg in March 1963 but was able to return to the Colt .45s to post a 4-3 won/loss record and a solid 2.61 earned run average in 35 games that season. He would play his final game, September 29, 1963, the final day of the regular season, the same game Colt .45's outfielder John Paciorek would have a career day, going 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs, 2 walks and 4 runs scored as Houston beat the New York Mets, 13-4. This game would mark Paciorek's only major league appearance.
Umbricht succumbed to malignant melanoma on the eve of the 1964 campaign in Houston at the age of 33. His uniform number (32) was immediately retired by the club (known since 1965 as the Houston Astros) and the Astros' MVP award was named in his honor. He began his professional baseball career as an infielder before converting to pitcher.
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| Name |
Umbricht, Jim |
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| Date of birth |
September 17, 1930 |
| Place of birth |
Chicago, Illinois |
| Date of death |
April 8, 1964 |
| Place of death |
Houston, Texas |
