Jim Kaat
From BR Bullpen
James Lee Kaat (Kitty)
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 4", Weight 217 lb.
- School Hope College
- Debut August 2, 1959
- Final Game July 1, 1983
- Born November 7, 1938 in Zeeland, MI USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Jim Kaat, who won 283 big league games and also had a long broadcasting career, fluctuated between 14% and 30% in the fifteen years of Hall of Fame voting by the BBWAA. In voting by the Veterans Committee in 2005, he was in fourth place, getting 54% of the vote out of the 75% necessary. In 2007, he was # 2 with 63%. According to the similarity scores method, the most similar players to Kaat are Tommy John, Robin Roberts, and Fergie Jenkins.
He is the co-record holder, with Brooks Robinson, with sixteen consecutive Gold Gloves. His total of 16 is second overall to Greg Maddux, tied with Robinson.
Kaat was the last of the Washington Senators that moved to Minnesota to retire as an active player, 22 years after the Senators moved to Minnesota. When the Twins clinched their first pennant in 1965 (oddly enough in their old home in Washington, DC) he was the pitcher.
He worked fast on the mound. According to the New Historical Abstract by Bill James, Kaat said that after 2 hours, his fastball turned into a pumpkin.
Since his playing career ended, he was a Cincinnati Reds coach in 1984 and 1985, a Twins broadcaster from 1988 to 1993, and a New York Yankees broadcaster from 1995 to 2006.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 3-time AL All-Star (1962, 1966 & 1975)
- 16-time Gold Glove Winner (1962-1975/AL, 1976/NL & 1977/NL)
- AL Wins Leader (1966)
- AL Innings Pitched Leader (1966)
- AL Complete Games Leader (1966)
- AL Shutouts Leader (1962)
- 15 Win Seasons: 8 (1962, 1964-1967 & 1973-1975)
- 20 Win Seasons: 3 (1966, 1974 & 1975)
- 25 Win Seasons: 1 (1966)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 14 (1961, 1962, 1964-1971 & 1973-1976)
- 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1966 & 1975)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 2 (1966 & 1967)
- Won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1982
[edit] Records Held
- Consecutive Gold Glove awards, 16 (tied)
