Jim Lemon

Born in Covington, Virginia, the 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m), 200 lb (91 kg), Lemon was known as "Bob" before he signed with MLB. He signed originally with the Cleveland Indians (becoming known as Jim Lemon to avoid confusion with pitcher Bob Lemon) but he never won a regular job with Cleveland; indeed, he was a "late-bloomer" who required several trips to the minor leagues before finally winning a regular berth with the 1956 Senators at the age of 28. A free-swinger who three times led the American League in striking out, Lemon and his teammates benefitted from new Washington owner Calvin Griffith\'s decision to move the left field fences closer to home plate in the Senators\' cavernous ballpark, Griffith Stadium. Lemon smashed 27 homers in 1956, also leading the league in triples, then followed with 26 (1958), 33 (1959) and 38 (1960). He twice compiled over 100 runs batted in and became a favor…