In the era before free agency, Jim Bunning proved that great players remain great – regardless of the city they play in.
Bunning, elected to the Hall of Fame in 1996, died Friday at the age of 85. The former pitcher for the Tigers, Phillies, Pirates and Dodgers proved to be one of the game’s most durable and consistent pitchers during his 17-year big league career from 1955-71.
“The Hall of Fame is saddened by the news of Jim’s passing,” said Hall of Fame Chairman Jane Forbes Clark. “His strong support of the Museum, and its activities, will always be appreciated. We send our deepest sympathy to his wife, Mary, and his entire family.”
Bunning, a native of Southgate, Ky., and a graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati, broke into the big leagues with Detroit in 1955 and by 1957 was the mainstay of the Tigers’ rotation. That year, Bunning was 20-8, leading the American League with 267 1/3 innings pitched and finishing ninth in the AL MVP voting.
During the next six seasons, Bunning won 90 games, was named to four All-Star teams and pitched a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox on July 20, 1958.
But following the 1963 season, the Tigers traded the 32-year-old right-hander to the Phillies – along with catcher Gus Triandos – for outfielder Don Demeter and pitcher Jack Hamilton.
It turned out to be one of the most one-sided deals in baseball history. Bunning was dominant during the next four seasons, winning 74 games (including 19 in each season from 1964-66) while striking out an average of 248 batters per season. On June 21, 1964 – Father’s Day – Bunning pitched a perfect game against the Mets, making him at the time just the 13th man since 1901 to pitch at least two no-hitters. He is one of only seven pitchers all-time who have thrown a perfect game and a no-hitter.