Jim Bunning (1996)


Date of Birth: 10/23/1931
Date of Death: 5/26/2017
Birthplace: Southgate, Kentucky
College: Xavier University

Jim Bunning, who is best known in his home state of Kentucky as a US senator, had a successful career in major league baseball before entering politics. He started playing baseball as a child and he was always a pitcher. In high school, he played football and basketball in his first year and he added baseball in his sophomore year.

Bunning was drafted by the Detroit Tigers while at Xavier University. He signed with them in 1950, but he continued with his education throughout his early years in the minors.

Detroit Tigers

Bunning spent five years in the minor leagues. In 1955, he joined the Tigers for 8 games as a starting pitcher and 7 games in relief. He had a 6.35 ERA in 51.0 innings. The following season, he pitched primarily out of the bullpen. He finished the 1956 season with a 3.71 ERA in 53.1 innings in 3 games as a starter and 12 games in relief.

In 1957, his first full season in the major leagues, Bunning pitched in a career high 45 games. He led the American League in wins and in innings pitched. He had a career high 20 wins to 8 losses, 182 strikeouts to 72 walks, and a 2.69 ERA in 267.1 innings.

In July, 1958, Bunning pitched a no hitter in July, 1958. That season, he had 14 wins and 12 losses, 177 strikeouts to 79 walks, and a 3.52 ERA in 219.2 innings in 35 games.

Bunning led the AL in strikeouts in 1959 and 1960. He finished the 1959 season with 17 wins and 13 losses, 201 strikeouts to 75 walks, and a 3.89 ERA in 249.2 innings in 40 games. The next year, he had an 11-14 record, again 201 strikeouts to 64 walks, and a 2.79 ERA in 252.0 innings in 36 games.

Bunning had a 3.19 ERA in 38 games in 1961. He had 17 wins and 11 losses and 194 strikeouts to 71 walks in 268.0 innings. His ERA went up to 3.59 in 1962, and to 3.88 in 1963. He had 19 wins and 10 losses and 184 strikeouts to 74 walks in 258.0 innings in 41 games in 1962. The following year he finished with 12 wins and 13 losses and 196 strikeouts to 69 walks in 248.1 innings in 39 games.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Tigers traded Bunning to the Phillies on December 5, 1963. In 1964, his first year with the Phillies, he pitched a perfect game. He finished the season with 19 wins and 8 losses, 219 strikeouts to 46 walks, and a 2.63 ERA in 284.1 innings in 41 games.

Bunning had another good season in 1965, finishing with a 2.60 ERA. He struck out a career high 268 batters while walking just 62. He had 19 wins and 9 losses in 291.0 innings in 39 games. That season, he also played well defensively, leading all NL pitchers in putouts with 29.

Bunning's ERA dropped to 2.41 in 1966. He pitched a career high 314.0 innings in 43 games and he had 19 wins and 14 losses and 252 strikeouts to 55 walks.

Bunning led the NL in strikeouts and in innings pitched in 1967. He had 17 wins and 15 losses, 253 strikeouts to 73 walks, and a career low ERA of 2.29 in 302.1 innings in 40 games.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Phillies traded Bunning to the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 15, 1967. He didn't have a good first season with the Pirates, finishing the 1968 season with 4 wins and 14 losses, 94 strikeouts to 48 walks, and a 3.88 ERA in 160.0 innings in 27 games.

In 1969, after 25 games with Pittsburgh, Bunning was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 15th. He played in only nine games with the Dodgers. He finished the season with 13 wins and 10 losses, 157 strikeouts to 59 walks, and a 3.69 ERA in 212.1 innings.

Return to the Phillies

The Dodgers released Bunning on October 22, 1969. He signed with the Phillies on October 29th. In 1970, his first season back in Philadelphia, he had a 4.11 ERA with 10 wins and 15 losses and 147 strikeouts to 56 walks in 219.0 innings in 34 games.

Bunning pitched in 29 games in 1971. He finished his major league career that season with 5 wins and 12 losses, 58 strikeouts to 37 walks, and a 5.48 ERA in 110.0 innings.

MLB Records

  • Led league in strikeouts (3 times)

Career Statistics

Career statistics for Bunning in 17 seasons (1955-1971) in the major leagues include:

  • 12 seasons with over 150 strikeouts, with a high of 268 in 1965
  • 6 seasons with an ERA under 3.00, with a low of 2.29 in 1967

Career pitching statistics for Bunning include:

  • 591 games played
  • 3,760.1 innings pitched
  • 224-184 win-loss record
  • 2,855 strikeouts to 1,000 walks
  • 3.27 ERA

Post Playing Career

Bunning started his political career in 1977 with a position on a city council. He then moved up to the State Senate, the US House of Representatives (1987-1999), and the US Senate (1999-2010).

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jim Bunning
ESPN - Jim Bunning
Baseball Reference - Jim Bunning
SABR - Jim Bunning

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