[1] He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a catcher for the Chicago Cubs (1935–38), New York Giants (1939–41), St. Louis Cardinals (1942–46), and Boston Braves (1946).

[1][3] O'Dea performed respectably for the Cubs, serving as a backup catcher to future Baseball Hall of Fame member, Gabby Hartnett.

[1] On December 6, 1938, the Cubs traded him along with Frank Demaree and Billy Jurges to the New York Giants for Dick Bartell, Hank Leiber and catcher Gus Mancuso.

[6] He also led National League catchers in fielding percentage and in base runners caught stealing, and finished second to Phil Masi in assists.

The 33-year-old O'Dea was traded to the Boston Braves during the 1946 season to make room for young catcher, Joe Garagiola.

They had five children, Carole, James Kenneth Jr., Stephen, Daniel and Debra, the last of whom was killed at the age of 8 in a tragic accident.

In his later life, O'Dea ran the White Horse Tavern in East Avon, New York, until it was destroyed by fire in 1955.