Jim Panther LHS Coach from 1969-2002
• The following is part of an ongoing series of articles in celebration of Libertyville High School's 100th anniversary.
Jim Panther, a former Major League Baseball pitcher and LHS's 20 year head baseball coach, was a 1963 graduate of Highland Park High School. He played four years of football, basketball, and baseball for the Giants, earning All-Conference honors in football and baseball. During his senior year of baseball he pitched a perfect game ... against Libertyville!
Jim pitched for the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Baseball team, graduating in 1967 with a degree in education. He was a fifth-round draft choice of the St. Louis Cardinals but didn't sign. He eventually signed with the Oakland A's when they took him in a special draft phase.
Jim's first action in the majors was in 1971 with the A's. He was traded to the Texas Rangers for the 1972 season. His highlights of the 1972 season were finishing 10th in the American League in appearances (58) and pitching five shutout innings against Baltimore in getting the win. He earned a win that year over Nolan Ryan, who was pitching for the California Angels.
He was traded to the Atlanta Braves for the 1973 season. However he injured his arm in a midseason game against the Mets, got sent to Triple A for the rest of his final year in pro ball.
Jim began teaching Physical Education at Libertyville High School for the 1968-69 school year. The minor league season would end in time for Jim to start the school year. He would then leave for spring training in February which prevented him from coaching baseball at LHS. He was able to coach freshmen football and basketball while still playing pro ball.
Jim started coaching baseball for the 1974 season, serving as Ernie Ritta's pitching coach for nine years. He took over the head coaching position for the 1983 season. He retired from teaching and coaching after the 2002 school year. He finished with a 526-169 coaching record, winning seven Conference titles and five Regional titles. Seven of his players earned All-State honors.
Jim held the Freshmen A Basketball Head Coaching position for 22 years, usually winning the conference title along with having several undefeated teams.
Jim and his wife Bonnie, also a former LHS teacher, are retired and living in Fort Myers, Florida. He spends his time grandparenting, golfing, traveling, and watching spring training major league baseball games.