One of the top shortstops in the Negro National League during the late 1940s, Pendleton shaved two years off his age when he signed with the Dodgers. However, with Pee Wee Reese at short for Brooklyn, Jim sat in the minors for four years despite excellent hitting. Traded to the Braves in 1953, he switched to the outfield and hit .299 in a part-time role. Up and down thereafter, he hit .305 in 46 games for the 1957 Pirates, but was back in the minors in 1958.
