From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
McCurine, James "Big Stick" or "Big Jim"
(born: May 8, 1921 - died: May 24, 2002)James McCurine was born in Clinton, KY. A baseball slugger, he began his career playing semi-pro ball around Chicago. In 1945 he began playing for the American Giants for $375 per month.
McCurine was an outfielder and occasional pitcher, the latter activity ruining his arm and his career. After a tryout with the Boston Braves while nursing a very sore arm, McCurine declined the offer to play on its farm team and retired from baseball in 1949. He died in Chicago May 24, 2002.
For more see The Negro Leagues Revisited, by Brent P. Kelley; L. Guerrero, "James McCurine: played for Giants in Negro League, Outfielder who was lethal with bat was known as Big Stick," Chicago Sun-Times, 5/30/2002, NEWS section, p. 64; and Jim McCurine at Baseball-Reference.com and at The Society for American Baseball Research.
