Jim Bunning

From BR Bullpen

James Paul David Bunning

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 195 lb.
School Xavier University
Debut July 20, 1955
Final Game September 3, 1971
Born October 23, 1931 in Southgate, KY USA

Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1996

[edit] Biographical Information

Pitcher Jim Bunning found success with two major league clubs as well as away from the diamond, being elected to several political offices.

First Baseball Card appearance: 1957 Topps

Bunning began his big league career with the Detroit Tigers, playing nine seasons with them. He won 20 games for them in 1957 and threw a no-hitter on July 20th of the following year against the Boston Red Sox. Overall, he was an All-Star five times with the Tigers.

After the 1963 season, Bunning was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. He won 19 games in three of his four seasons there and earned two more All-Star Game appearances. He also threw a perfect game on June 21, 1964, against the New York Mets (box score). He later played briefly with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers before ending his career back with the Phillies.

In addition to throwing a no-hitter in both leagues, Bunning was the second pitcher in history (Cy Young was the first) to record 1000 strikeouts and 100 wins in both the American League and the National League. When he retired in 1971, Bunning was second on the all time strikeout list to Walter Johnson.

After his playing career, Bunning managed the Reading Phillies (1972), Eugene Emeralds (1973), Toledo Mud Hens (1974-1975) and Oklahoma City 89ers (1976).

Bunning then returned to his home state of Kentucky and entered politics. He served on the City Council of Fort Thomas, Kentucky from 1977 to 1979 and was elected to the Kentucky State Senate in 1979. After serving there for four years, he moved on to the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 1999. In 1999, he was elected to the United States Senate, and he won reelection in 2005.

Bunning is one of three Baseball Hall of Famers to serve in Congress, the others being Happy Chandler and Morgan Bulkeley. Among those three, Bunning is the only former player.