Detroit Tigers: Remembering Jim Bunning one year later

Detroit Tigers legend Jim Bunning, an ace pitcher and United States Congressmen, passed away one year ago today at age 85.

Jim Bunning was one of the greatest pitchers in Detroit Tigers history. Even so, he is perhaps better known for his post-playing career – as a United States Senator. On May 26, 2017, Bunning passed away after suffering a stroke seven months prior. One year after his death, Bunning remains a baseball icon. He is the only former big league player to serve as an elected official in Congress.

Bunning and the Tigers

The Detroit Tigers signed Jim Bunning in 1950 at 18 years old. He made his big league debut in 1955, pitching in just 15 games and posting an ugly 6.35 ERA. A 5-1 record and a 3.71 ERA made for a much better 1956 season, although he only threw 53 1/3 innings.

1957 is when Bunning’s career really took off. That was Bunning’s first (and only) 20-win season. He led the league with 267 1/3 innings pitched, and posted a stellar 2.69 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. He made his first of seven All-Star games, and finished ninth in MVP voting.

Bunning spent the next six years in the Motor City. He compiled a 3.47 ERA with 1,153 strikeouts. He twice led the league in K’s, striking out 201 in back-to-back years from 1959-1960. In fact, at the time of his retirement Bunning was second only to Walter Johnson in career strikeouts. Although strikeouts have become far more common, Bunning remains 18th all time with 2,855 career punch-outs.

Bunning also threw one of the greatest games in franchise history, a no-hitter on July 20, 1958 against the Boston Red Sox.

Bunning was traded to the Phillies after the 1963 season in exchange for Don Demeter and Jack Hamilton. He continued his excellent pitching, winning 106 more big leagues games with a 3.10 ERA. He pitched for the Phillies for six years, with some time in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles sprinkled in.

Post-Playing Days

It took 25 years, but Jim Bunning was finally inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veteran’s Committee in 1996. At that time, Bunning was nine years into his second career, representing Kentucky’s fourth district in the House of Representatives.

Bunning served Kentucky from 1987-1999 before being elected to the US Senate. He won re-election in 2005 but did not seek a third term in 2009.

Bunning is one of three Hall of Famers to serve in Congress. The other two were both executives, Happy Chandler and Morgan Bulkeley.

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Jim Bunning was one of the greatest, and most interesting players in Detroit Tigers history. He will be remembered for a very long time – for more than just his time on the field.