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.
Owner of five rings, Catfish Hunter went 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA in the ’72 Fall Classic
Owner of five rings, Catfish Hunter went 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA in the ’72 Fall Classic
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.
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
The 1974 Cy Young Award winner, Catfish Hunter led the league with 25 wins and a 2.49 ERA and 0.986 WHIP that season. He also won nine post-season contests including five in the Fall Classic.
Hunter was a key member of five World Series champions from 1972-1978, winning three in a row with Oakland from ’72-’74 and two straight with the Yankees in ’77 and ’78 after leaving Charlie Finley’s A’s.
Catfish Hunter's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame came on July 26, 1987
Catfish Hunter's induction into the Baseball 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.
