Jim Paciorek (born October 16, 1960) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played a significant portion of his career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan during the 1980s and early 1990s. He is the younger brother of former Major League Baseball (MLB) player John Paciorek.
Early Life and Education
Jim Paciorek was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States. He attended St. Mary's Preparatory in Orchard Lake, Michigan, where he played high school baseball. He later enrolled at Eastern Michigan University, competing for the Eastern Michigan Eagles baseball team.
Professional Career
United States Minor Leagues
After completing his collegiate career, Paciorek entered the professional baseball system, signing with the Detroit Tigers organization. He spent several seasons in the minor leagues, appearing for clubs such as the Lakeland Tigers (Class A) and the Evansville Triplets (Triple‑A).
Nippon Professional Baseball
In 1985, Paciorek signed with the Lotte Orions of NPB, marking the beginning of his nine‑year tenure in Japanese baseball. He subsequently played for:
| Season | Team | League |
|---|---|---|
| 1985–1987 | Lotte Orions | NPB (Pacific) |
| 1988–1991 | Orix Braves / Orix BlueWave | NPB (Pacific) |
| 1992 | Yokohama BayStars | NPB (Central) |
Throughout his NPB career, Paciorek was primarily utilized as a left‑field and right‑field defender and was noted for his consistent hitting. He compiled a career batting average of approximately .274, with a total of 101 home runs and over 600 runs batted in (RBIs) across all seasons.
Return to North America
After concluding his stint in Japan, Paciorek briefly returned to North America, playing for the Calgary Cannons of the Triple‑A Pacific Coast League in 1993 before retiring from professional baseball.
Personal Life
Jim Paciorek is married and has children. He remains involved in baseball through occasional coaching clinics and alumni events. His brother, John Paciorek, is known for his singular MLB appearance on September 30, 1963, in which he recorded three hits in three at‑bats.
Post‑Playing Career
Following retirement, Paciorek pursued business interests in the Detroit area and has participated in charitable activities, particularly those supporting youth sports initiatives.
Legacy
Paciorek is recognized as one of the American players who achieved notable success in Japanese professional baseball during the 1980s, a period when the presence of foreign players was expanding in NPB. His adaptability to different playing environments and sustained offensive production contributed to the growing respect for American talent in Japan’s baseball leagues.