The National Baseball Hall of Fame Remembers Jim Bunning

“The only time I’ve ever been perfect was for about two hours in 1964." - Jim Bunning

Jim Bunning’s Hall of Fame plaque (elected, 1996)

James Paul David Bunning
Detroit, A.L. 1955-1963
Philadelphia, N.L. 1964-1967, 1970-1971
Pittsburgh, N.L. 1968-1969
Los Angeles, N.L. 1969

Maintained dedication and consistency throughout 17 seasons while posting career record of 224-184 with 3.27 ERA. Intimidating right-handed sidearmer won 100 games, pitched no-hitter and struck out 1,000 in both leagues. 1964 perfect game was first in N.L. in 20th century. Second all-time in strikeouts (2,855) upon retirement in 1971. Enjoyed second career as multi-term U.S. Congressman.

Jim Bunning Bio

Born: Oct. 23, 1931 at Southgate, Ky.
Died: May 27, 2017
Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 190
Batted and threw right

Displaying remarkable consistency during his 17-year career, Jim Bunning became the first pitcher since Cy Young to record 100 wins and 1,000 strikeouts in both the American and National Leagues. The father of nine, and from 1988 through 2010 a United States Senator from Kentucky, he threw a perfect game for the Philadelphia Phillies on Father’s Day of 1964, his second career no-hitter; he hurled one for the Detroit Tigers six years earlier. Bunning piled up 224 career wins as a nine-time All-Star selection.

Remembering Jim Bunning

“The Hall of Fame is saddened by the news of Jim’s passing. 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.”
– Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman, Baseball Hall of Fame

“I got to know him well when he was pitching for the Phillies and I was with the Giants. He was a good competitor, a good pitcher, and a good human being. We’re going to miss him.”
– Hall of Famer Juan Marichal

“He was a great American. He was a great Senator, and I know that anyone that knows anything about baseball is going to miss him.”
– Hall of Famer Phil Niekro

Quotes about Jim Bunning

J.G. Taylor Spink Award winner Joe Falls: “Jim Bunning was a computer guy before they had computers. He was an agent before they had agents. And he was an aerobics guy before they had aerobics. He was the first guy I ever saw in baseball who kept a book on the hitters. And he kept track of everything he did. I always felt he got more out of his talent than anybody.”

Former Phillies manager Frank Lucchesi: “He’s was one of the best competitors I ever managed. He was a jewel to manage. He never alibied. It was always, ‘Just give me the ball.’”

On the web: Visit http://baseballhall.org/hof/bunning-jim to view Jim Bunning’s Hall of Fame plaque and a video tribute.