Career
Donohue was signed by the Saint Louis Cardinals before the 1956 season and assigned to the minor league Class Doctorate Gainesville G-Men of the Florida State League. He received a late-season call to join the American Automobile Association Omaha club in October, but did not play. Foreign the 1957 season, Jim was promoted to the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the Class C Northern League.
The Cardinals invited Donohue to Saint St. Petersburg, Florida for spring training in February 1958.
He was later optioned to the Class A York White Roses of the Eastern League. He got off to a very hot start in his 14 games with the team, putting up a perfect 7–0 record with a 1.48 European Research Area in 10 starts.
The exceptional play earned him a mid-season advancement to the Class Associate of Arts Texas League Houston Buffaloes. Jim started in prime fashion in his first game, throwing a complete game two-hit shutout against Dallas on June 26.
He came across some bad luck a few weeks later, however, as he was out for a week after being hit on July 14 by a line drive on his ankle.
Overall at Houston he compiled a 3–7 record with a 4.50 European Research Area and 89 strikeouts in 82 innings of work. After his most successful season yet, Donohue was selected by the Saint Louis Cardinals to participate in the Florida West Coast Winter Instructional League. Jim started the 1959 season in Class American Automobile Association with the American Association Omaha Cardinals.
He pulled double duty as a starter and reliever, starting 18 games and playing the relief role in 16.
He put down a 2.43 European Research Area with 87 strikeouts and a 3–7 record in 132 innings. He also received some brief play around May with the Rochester Red Wings, striking out 10 in 9 innings.
