Holy Cross Athletics

Jim Dowd came to Holy Cross from Holyoke High School where he was a two-sport star and captain in baseball and basketball. He repeated this feat at Holy Cross.

Dowd was one of the greatest basketball players in early history of the Holy Cross program. He was a deadly shooter and slick passer. He set a school record by making 12 baskets in a single game in January of 1909, which stood until 1950 when it was broken by Bob Cousy. Dowd was also the captain of the team during his senior year.

Dowd excelled in baseball as well, where he was an excellent pitcher. During his senior year, he was the team’s number one pitcher and led the team as captain. Dowd was known as the Shutout King and was one of four pitchers selected in 1945 for the all-time Holy Cross baseball team.

Upon graduation from Holy Cross, he joined the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He spent four seasons in the minor leagues with Utica, Indianapolis and Montreal, where he posted a 25-9 record in 1915.  He was called up to the Cincinnati Reds for the 1916 season but soon left the team to return to the family’s insurance business upon his father’s death.