Saturday, May 27, 2017
HALL OF FAMER JIM BUNNING PASSES AWAY
The Phillies announced today that Hall of Fame pitcher and former U.S. Senator Jim Bunning passed away late last evening at the age of 85 due to complications from a stroke suffered in October.
Born in Southgate, Ky., on October 23, 1931, Bunning pitched 17 seasons (1955-71) in the majors for the Detroit Tigers, Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers, compiling a record of 224-184 with a 3.27 ERA in 591 games. When he retired, his 2,855 strikeouts were second in baseball history to Walter Johnson (3,509).
Bunning was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996 and chose to wear a Phillies cap on his plaque.
Following his Hall of Fame career, he managed five seasons in the Phillies minor league system, became a player agent and was a stock broker. He began a very successful political career when he was elected to City Council in Fort Thomas, Ky., in 1977. His political path took him to the Kentucky State Senate, U.S. House of Representatives (1986) and U.S. Senate (1998). He retired from the Senate in 2010.
A nine-time All-Star, he became the first to pitch in the Midsummer Classic for both leagues. Bunning was also the first modern-era pitcher to win 100 games in each league, the first 20th century pitcher to throw a no-hitter in each league and the second to record 1,000 strikeouts in each league. Each National League milestone came in a Phillies uniform.
His first no-hitter was July 20, 1958, against the Boston Red Sox while pitching for the Tigers. He threw the NL’s first perfect game since 1880 against the Mets in New York. A father of seven at the time, the perfect game occurred on Father’s Day, June 21, 1964.
The Phillies acquired Bunning from Detroit along with catcher Gus Triandos for outfielder Don Demeter and pitcher Jack Hamilton on Dec. 5, 1963. During his Phillies career, Bunning was 89-73 with a 2.93 ERA, fourth-best in team history. His 23 shutouts with the club rank fifth. He struck out 1,197 in 1,520.2 innings and won 19 games three straight seasons, 1964-66. He also won the first game at Veterans Stadium on April 10, 1971. Bunning was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame in 1984 and had his uniform number (14) permanently retired on April 6, 2001.
“Jim was an incredible competitor and was determined to maximize his ability and make the most of everything he did in life,” said Phillies Chairman, David Montgomery. “He clearly succeeded in doing so. Jim and his wife Mary remained close members of the Phillies family, attending our Alumni Weekend festivities whenever they were able to be in Philadelphia. We were so honored to have had Jim and Mary here for what would be his last Alumni Weekend in 2016. The Bunning family has lost a very special patriarch, and we at the Phillies have lost a very special friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary and the entire family at this difficult time.”
Bunning is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary, nine children and 35 grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home in Fort Thomas, Ky. on Friday, June 2 from 2:00-8:00 p.m. EDT. Mass of Christian burial will be on Saturday, June 3 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Ky.
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Press Releases provided courtesy of the Phillies, Media Relations. Thanks, guys!
