The inspiring story of Jim Tietjens
His riveting autobiography is available now!
"Jim Tietjens' life is an inspiring story of beating the odds on and off the field. Jim Tietjens and Jeff Kuchno have teamed up to tell that story in a book that engages anyone interested in understanding how Jim overcame challenges that would have been insurmountable to almost anyone else. The end result is a book that is a winner about a winner."
— Dave Lange, author of Soccer Made in St. Louis
ABOUT THE BOOK — “SAVES”
Jim Tietjens has been called by many one of the greatest goalkeepers the soccer hotbed of St. Louis has ever produced. A state champion in high school. An All-American in college. A member of the United States Youth National Team. And a professional goalkeeper.
Following his athletic career, Jim transitioned successfully to the business world. As an accomplished sports marketer and sporting goods specialist, he enjoyed successful professional relationships with giants of the sports world — Tony Gwynn, Ken Griffey, Jr, Ozzie Smith and Mark McGwire, just to name a few.
But Jim’s story is about more than sports. His is a story of determination, perseverance, and faith. Few have faced the litany of health challenges Jim has seen in his life. From multiple heart transplants to bouts with cancer, Jim has survived a myriad of health issues.
In this book, Jim shares stories of memorable moments with some of the greats in the sporting world. He recounts his numerous operations and rehabilitation efforts. And he honors the life-saving role family, friends, doctors, nurses — and organ donors — have played in his life.
From Jim’s early days of youth soccer to his induction into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame, Saves chronicles the inspirational story of a man who understands the value of family, friends and faith.
JIM’S SOCCER CAREER
Jim Tietjens enjoyed tremendous success on the soccer pitch as an amateur, international and professional goalkeeper. As a junior at Oakville High School in St. Louis, Missouri, Jim led his team to the 1976 state championship by making an incredible 17 saves in the the state final. His performance is still regarded by many as one of the best individual efforts ever in a Missouri state championship game.
Jim missed most of his senior season so that he could represent his country as a member of the United States youth national team. He was the starting goalkeeper for a team that played in Holland, Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, and Honduras, among other countries.
In 1978, Jim was the second overall pick in the inaugural North American Soccer League draft of high school players. Instead of turning pro right away, Jim decided to attend St. Louis University, where he played two seasons and earned second team All-America honors in 1979. He still ranks among the school leaders for most saves in a single season.
Following his two seasons at SLU, Jim was selected by the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the NASL supplemental draft. He served as the backup keeper for the Strikers for four seasons (1980-83). In 1984, he joined the Fort Lauderdale Sun of the United Soccer League. He emerged as the league’s top goalkeeper as the Sun defeated the Houston Dynamo in the final round of the playoffs to win the league championship (right).
Jim played briefly with the Kansas City Comets and St. Louis Steamers of the Major Indoor Soccer League. But, after a third knee operation, Jim retired from professional soccer in 1985.
JIM’S BUSINESS CAREER
Success followed Jim as he ventured into the business world. He was a sales and marketing executive at Rawlings Sporting Goods for 13 years as well as Anheuser-Busch for 22 years.
One of Jim’s proudest moments came when he served as the Rawlings representative for baseball slugger Mark McGwire (left). Jim was responsible for the creation of commemorative bats during McGwire’s record-setting season in 1998 when “Big Mac” set a new major league record with 70 home runs in a season.
For his numerous achievements at Rawlings, Jim was presented with a Rawlings Gold Glove award.
JIM’S HEALTH CHALLENGES
Jim’s adult life has been filled with a myriad of health challenges. Since the age of 32, he has had two heart transplants, one kidney transplant, two bouts with cancer, pneumonia over a dozen times, and peripheral artery disease that has already led to the amputation of one of his toes. He has undergone numerous surgeries and procedures to combat his neuropathy. He also went through three years of dialysis before his kidney transplant in 2018. The kidney transplant and his second heart transplant were performed at the same time.
TIMELINE OF JIM’S HEALTH ISSUES
Oct. 1991 — Diagnosed with idiopathic cardiomyopathy
July 1992 — Received first heart transplant at age 32
Dec. 2002 — Diagnosed with Stage 4 Non Hodgkins Lymphoma
Feb. 2003 — Began chemotherapy treatment
Sept. 2013 — Throat, neck and tongue cancer
April 2016 — Kidney failure (started three years of dialysis)
Aug. 2018 — Second heart transplant and first kidney transplant
June 2021 — First of 14 surgeries to increase blood flow to his legs as a result of peripheral artery disease (neuropathy).
