This is probably an appropriate forum to call attention to the untimely death last Saturday of Jimmy Lee. Lee was without question one of the finest pitchers to come out of Knoxville. A lefthander with a slight build, likely less than 150 pounds while playing at Fulton, he resembled Ron Guidry. But there was lightning in his arm. Lee starred leading Fulton as one of only 4 teams to make the State Tournament in 1966 (when there was only 1 champion, not 5 or 6 like today). Lee later became the ace of the U of Tenn. staff. He was a "Friday pitcher" and what few games he lost were the 1-0 or 2-1 variety. The 1970 Vols won the East Division, again, only two got to the SEC title series. Lee pitched at the AA level for the White Sox for several years serving as the "closer" at a time before that term became valuable at contract negotiation time. He was traded to the Cubs and advanced to AAA. In 1974 & '75, he played at the amateur level in Knoxville and helped several of the late Jimmy O'Brien's teams to the Stan Musial World Series. I am among many still around who watched him pitch in high school and college. He was a "special" talent. While I no longer live in Knoxville, I read where he had spent time teaching others, I hope those kids realize just who was teaching them.
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