Hunter, "Catfish" (James A.)
Baseball
b. April 8, 1946, Hertford, NC
d. Sept. 9, 1999
Hunter was signed by the AL's Kansas City Athletics in 1964, shortly after his eighteenth birthday and less than a year after he had accidentally shot off his right big toe in a hunting accident. He joined the big league team early in the 1965 season. Asked by a sportswriter what his hobbies were, Hunter replied, "Fishing for catfish," earning himself a new nickname.
The Athletics moved to Oakland in 1968, when Hunter had a 13-13 record, including a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins. From 1971 through 1974, he won more than 20 games each season, helping to lead the As to four consecutive pennants and three consecutive world championships.
Hunter led the league in winning percentage with a 21-7 record in 1972 and a 21-5 record in 1973. He won the Cy Young Award in 1974, when he had a 25-12 record, leading the league in victories and in ERA with 2.49.
After a salary dispute with Oakland owner Charles O. Finley, Hunter went to arbitration and was awarded free agency on a technicality: Finley had failed to deliver a life insurance policy required under Hunter's previous contract. He then signed the biggest contract in baseball history at the time, a five-year, $3.75 million deal.
In 1975, Hunter again led the league in victories with a 23-14 record, as well as in complete games with 30 and innings pitched with 328. However, he fell off to 17-15 in 1976 and then began to suffer arm problems. After winning just 23 games and losing 18 over the next three seasons, he retired.
Hunter combined a good fastball, good slider, and excellent control to keep hitters off balance. In his 15 major league seasons, he had a 224-166 record, with 42 shutouts and a 3.26 ERA. He struck out 2,012 hitters and walked 954 in 3,449 1/3 innings.
In September of 1998, Hunter was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. He died a year later from complications of the illness.