User:Jamesbaker101

Jim Baker Jr. (born November 23rd 1950) is an Irish Bowling hero, playing Bowls both Indoor and on Lawn. He is commonly referred to as James or Jimbo Baker (in the field of Bowling), is a one time World Bowls Champion (1984) and 3 time runner up(1981, 1983, 1985)and is generally regarded as one of the finest power bowlers ever. He is indeed the only Irish man to win the World Indoor Championship. Unfortunately he could never turn his dominance from the Indoor circuit arena to the lawn, one semi final place in (1983) his best ever finish. Jim retired in early 1992 after he contacted Gingervitis, a rare disease which turned him prematurely Ginger. and under the Ginger Act 1972 no ginger was allowed participate in any Bowls competition. Ironically the Act was outlawed in 1999 and the first Ginger to win a world title was the only other Irish man to do so, Jeremy Henry in Johannesburg 2000.

Jim is from Antrim, Northern Ireland but always bore a Tricolour on his Bowls to show his loyalty to the Republic. He was raised Catholic by his Fishmonger Father (James Sr. and his fun loving mother Mary). James Sr. famously quipped that, when James was born he slipped out of the midwives arms and he himself caught baby James: He said it was his "catch of the day" referencing his job on the Fish Stalls of Mullharty, Antrim.

Today Jim's large booming accent can be heard bringing life to the bowls circuit which has lacked excitement since his departure. He is known to be a close friend of Liam Neeson and Longford football starlet Pauric Gill, often seeing with the latter at Bowls events across the globe.

In Antrim where Jim is revered they named the County Bowls home after him, The James Baker Bowls Arena.

He truly is a hero among us.