The biography of Jim "catfish" hunter, famous pitcher.

Essay by jaz_e24High School, 10th gradeA+, May 2004

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Catfish Hunter

James Augustus Hunter was born on April 8, 1946 in Hertford, North Carolina. He was the youngest of eight children born to Abbott and Millie Hunter, who were sharecroppers. As a boy Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing baseball with his brothers. While attending Perquimans High School, Hunter excelled in a variety of sports. He was a successful linebacker and offensive end in football as well as a shortstop, cleanup batter, and pitcher in baseball. His pitching skills brought major league baseball scouts to Hertford to see him play. During his senior year of high school, Hunter was injured in a hunting accident leading to the loss of his little toe and had 30 shotgun pellets lodged in his foot. After the accident, Hunter was somewhat limping and his major league prospects were jeopardized in the eyes of many teams. However, the Kansas City Athletics had faith in the young pitcher and offered Hunter a contract.

Charles O. Finley, owner of the Kansas City team, gave Hunter the nickname "Catfish." Hunter's first major league victory came on July 27, 1965 in Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. In 1966 and 1967 Hunter was named to the American League All-Star team. In 1968, the Kansas City Athletics moved to Oakland and on May 8th of that year Hunter pitched the first perfect game in the American League since 1922. He continued winning more and more games and in 1974 he received the Cy Young Award and was named Pitcher of the Year by The Sporting News. While with the Athletics Hunter amassed some very impressive statistics: 4 years with at least 20 wins, 4 World Series wins with no losses and a league leading earned run average of 2.49. After a contract dispute with Finley in 1974, Hunter...