Catfish Hunter
| Birthdate | 4/8/1946 |
| Death Date | 9/9/1999 |
| Debut Year | 1965 |
| Year of Induction | 1987 |
| Teams | Athletics, Yankees |
| Position | Pitcher |
A five-time World Series champion, Jim “Catfish” Hunter was the first pitcher since 1915 to win 200 games by his 31st birthday.
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Hunter represented two teams in three cities in his 8 All Star appearances
Hunter represented two teams in three cities in his 8 All Star appearances
Jim “Catfish” Hunter pitched in 15 big league seasons beginning in 1965. The right-hander pitched his first 10 seasons with the Athletics and his final 5 with the Yankees.
After going 8-8 as a rookie for the KC A’s in ’65, Hunter made two consecutive All Star teams. His third All Star selection came after the team moved to Oakland.
His final five seasons with the Athletics were spectacular. Hunter won 106 games and the ’74 Cy Young Award. His teams won three consecutive World Series titles from ’72-’74.
After the ’74 championship Hunter signed with the Yankees. His time in New York included two All Star seasons and two more triumphs in the Fall Classic.
For his work Hunter was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.
In the collection is this questionnaire filled and in Hunter’s hand and signed by the Hall of Fame pitcher at the bottom.
Hunter reveals that his father was his inspiration, Dick Williams his favorite manager, Sparky Lyle as the most colorful player in the game, and Rod Carew as the toughest player he ever faced.
The A's first World Series title in 42 years came via a Game 7 win by Catfish
The A's first World Series title in 42 years came via a Game 7 win by Catfish
From 1910 through 1930 the Philadelphia Athletics won more World Series titles than any big league club. Connie Mack’s squad claimed championships in 1910, ’11, ’13, ’29, and ’30.
After an AL pennant in 1931, the Athletics entered a Fall Classic drought. For the next four decades they failed to find their way back to baseball’s biggest stage.
Along the way the franchise moved to Kansas City and on to Oakland. Then in 1972 the A’s captured the American League championship to earn a Fall Classic return.
Catfish Hunter made three World Series appearances. After a sparkling one-run, 8 2/3 inning performance in Game 2, Hunter got the start in Game 5.
He was less than sharp.
In 4 2/3 frames he gave up three runs on five hits – two of which left the yard. He earned a no-decision in the A’s 5-4 loss.
Two days later in Game 7 manager Dick Williams summoned Hunter out of the bullpen with one out in the fifth. Catfish responded well.
In 2 2/3 innings he allowed one run on one hit. He struck out three. While he was the pitcher of record, World Series MVP Gene Tenace drove in the go-ahead run.
Tenace then gave way to a pinch runner who scored a much-needed insurance run when Sal Bando doubled to center. The heroics made Hunter the Game 7 winner.
Shown here is a ticket to that Game 7 contest signed by Fall Classic hero Gene Tenace.
Hunter led the league in wins (25) and ERA (2.49) in his 1974 Cy Young season
Hunter led the league in wins (25) and ERA (2.49) in his 1974 Cy Young season
After two top-four finishes for the Cy Young in 1972 and ’73, Catfish Hunter earned the prize in ’74. Thanks to a league-leading numbers in wins (25), ERA (2.49), and WHIP (0.986), Hunter earned 12 of the 24 first-place votes.
Second-place finisher Fergie Jenkins received ten first-place votes with the final two votes split between Nolan Ryan and Gaylord Perry.
Shown here is a 1972 Milton Bradley 2″x 3″ baseball card signed by Hunter.
From 1971-1978 Catfish earned 3 rings with the A's & two with the Yankees
From 1971-1978 Catfish earned 3 rings with the A's & two with the Yankees
Jim “Catfish” Hunter earned three World Series rings with the A’s and two with the Yankees. Overall his record in the Fall Classic he went 5-3 with a 3.29 ERA.
In the ’72 tilt, Hunter earned two wins, the only World Series in which he won multiple games.
In the collection is this letter from Hall of Fame commissioner Bowie Kuhn. Cooperstown class of 2007, Kuhn gushes about baseball’s showcase event.
“The World Series is the premier event of American Sports.
“No other event has been able to capture it’s special appeal or match its magnificent history.”
Kuhn later writes of the thrilling 1971 Fall Classic tilt. He closes the letter with mention of the Series in which Catfish earned the first of his five rings.
“To our loyal fans, I dedicate the 1972 World Series.”
Hunter and the A’s won the first of three consecutive Fall Classics that year.
Catfish Hunter's induction into the Hall of Fame came on July 26, 1987
Catfish Hunter's induction into the Hall of Fame came on July 26, 1987
Cooperstown opened its doors to three baseball legends in the summer of ’87. The baseball writers chose five-time World Series champ Jim “Catfish” Hunter and Sweet Swinging Billy Williams of the Oakland A’s. Negro League great Ray Dandridge was the Veterans Committee’s lone selection.
Together the three men were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 26, 1987. Shown here is an invitation to the ceremony. Williams’ signature appears at the bottom.
