SP native Jim Colborn talks of being Dodgers pitching coach, baseball career

December 07, 2001
Santa Paula News

Jim Colborn grew up playing ball in Santa Paula and now he’s capped a distinguished baseball career by becoming the pitching coach of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesJim Colborn grew up playing ball in Santa Paula and now he’s capped a distinguished baseball career by becoming the pitching coach of the Los Angeles Dodgers.Colborn was named the Los Angeles Dodgers new pitching coach about a year ago after a long career both on the field and behind the scenes.“What a year it’s been,” Colborn told the Rotary Club at a recent meeting. “. . .almost all the starters are on the injured list!”Colborn served as a Pacific Rim scouting director for the Seattle Mariners and was instrumental in signing two top Japanese players before joining the Dodgers.A three star athlete at SPHS - football, baseball and basketball - Colborn, a resident of Ventura, pitched 10 years in the majors with the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee, Kansas City and Seattle. He was selected to the American League All-Star team in 1973; in 1975 he pitched a no-hitter for the Royals.
He retired as an active player in 1979, but remained a star in coaching circles, starting his career with the Chicago Cubs.It was his years of growing up in Santa Paula that shaped his life, Colborn said. “I was born just a few blocks from here and grew up around Mupu. . .my family had Colborn Tile and the building just sold. I’ve had the opportunity first-hand of knowing what community support can do for you.”The Santa Paula Rotary Club sponsored his nomination as a Rotary Foundation Fellowship for graduate studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland 1968-69. “Partly because of that trip,” after he graduated from Santa Paula High School in 1963 (he was Student Body President), “I became intrigued with traveling.”Colborn, who graduated from Whittier College, also did advance studies at the universities of Copenhagen, Denmark and Washington; he is honored in the Whittier College and Ventura County Sports Halls of Fame.“Whatever I’ve done, it’s all grounded with my identity of Santa Paula. . .it will always be my home. A lot of people supported me while I was growing up and they’re still here.”About his career with the Dodgers, Colborn noted “I went from loving and worshiping them to hating them,” as an opponent. “. . .now I’m learning to love them again!”



Site Search

E-Subscribe

Subscribe

E-SUBSCRIBE
Call 805 525 1890 to receive the entire paper early. $50.00 for one year.

webmaster