Jim “Catfish” Hunter
Baseball
Inducted: 1974
- Born in Hertford, NC, 1946
- Baseball pitcher who went from high school to major leagues
- Known for competitive drive and command of a variety of pitches
- Pitched for Kansas City/Oakland Athletics from 1965–1974
- Led A’s to 1972, 1973, and 1974 World Series titles
- Became one of baseball’s first free agents and signed lucrative contract with New York Yankees
- Pitched for New York from 1975–1979
- Led the Yankees to 1977 and 1978 World Series titles
- Won 20 or more games each season from 1971–1975
- Won the Cy Young Award with 25-12 mark in 1974
- Ended career with 224-166 record
- Went 5-3 in World Series competition
- Member of Baseball Hall of Fame
- Nicknamed Catfish by A’s owner Charlie Finley as a publicity stunt
- Pitched a perfect game against Minnesota in 1968
- Died in 1999 after fight with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
