“Catfish” Hunter. (‘72). $1000

Athletics Career Highlights: https://youtu.be/JRRGXGekAXI

James Augustus “Catfish” Hunter (Born in Hertford, NC on April 8, 1946 – September 9, 1999), Cy Young and Christy Mathewson are the only pitchers in history to have won 200 or more game by the age of 31. In 1965, Charles O. Finley, owner of the Kansas City A’s, hung “Catfish” on the young pitcher because he felt Jim needed a flashy nickname. From 1971-1975, Catfish won 21 games or more making him one of the most dominant pitchers in the AL. Hunter played for the Kansas City/Oakland A’s (1965-1967, 1968-1974) and the New York Yankees (1975-1979) where his led the league in wins twice (1974, 1975) and ERA once, when he captured the 1974 American League Cy Young Award. Hunter was a key factor in Oakland and New York’s success, leading them to five World Series championships in 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1977, 1978 respectively. The eight-time All-Star selection posted a record of 224-166 with 2,012 strikeouts and a career 3.26 ERA in 500 games. Arm troubles cut Hunter’s career short at the age of 33, and in 1999 Catfish died of Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS. James Augustus “Catfish” Hunter was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987.