And what about the farm loan? It didnt take long for the $1 million predictions to be blown from the water. Minor-league pitcher Jason Kosow portrayed Hunter in the ESPN miniseries The Bronx is Burning, which depicted the 1977 New York Yankees. The Yankees, trying to regain the glory that was theirs until the last decade, landed the 28yearold righthander, considered by many experts to be baseball's premier pitcher, with an assist from Clyde Kluttz, a club scout. That was the day that Jim "Catfish" Hunter left the Oakland A's after an arbitrator named Peter Seitz ruled that the A's had violated Hunter's contract by not paying him money he was owed. Self-guided tour or VIP experience. Hunter has been the subject of numerous popular culture references, including the Bob Dylan song "Catfish". Hunter is mentioned in the 1976 film The Bad News Bears. In that instance, Finley was successful in foiling the Yankee effort. Jim (Catfish) Hunter signed a fiveyear contract estimated at $3.75million with the New York Yankees last night, ending the most celebrated bidding war in American sports history. Finley.[5]. Please note that not all works are on view at all times - their availability is subject to change per the discretion of the Museum staff. On Oct. 10, two days before the World Series was to start, Jerome Holtzman wrote a story about Hunters contract in the Chicago Sun-Times, based on a report he received from one of Hunters confidantsformer teammate Mike Hershbergerwhich included this bombshell: the best pitcher on the best team in the league was attempting to jump ship. Hunter tried to arrange alternative financing through multiple banks in North Carolina, but without showing up in person it couldnt be done. Hunter's contract with the A's was straightforward. Before baseball adopted its freeagent draft, major league clubs competed for young prospects and frequently paid upwards of $100,000. Hunter told hima five-year deal with 15 years of deferred money at $100,000 per season, plus college funds for his kids and a variety of perks to be determined. In January 1970 Oakland As owner Charlie Finley loaned 23-year-old pitcher Jim Catfish Hunter $150,000 to buy a 485-acre farm adjacent to his existing property in North Carolina. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. After a dispute over a technicality in his contract with Oakland A's owner, Charles O. Finley, Hunter had become the first free agent in baseball's modern era. Even less palatable for Finley was the discovery that about $25,000 in taxes was due immediately, and he would be the one paying them. To be a Yankee is a thought in everyones head and mine, Hunter said. Every effort has been made to accurately determine the rights status of images. Hunters contract with the As was straightforward. Can I live in New York City? [25][26], Arm injuries plagued Hunter beginning in 1978. Two weeks after he won his arbitration, Hunter became the highest-paid player in baseball and highest-paid pitcher in history when he signed a five-year contract with the New York Yankees worth $3.35 million. Ahoskie, N.C., population 5,500, was the big city close to Hunters home in Hertford, about an hours drive to the northwest. They drove up to a little landing strip in Suffolk, Va., and we landed in New York at 5:30. But it was huge money at the time, ending what the New York Times called the most celebrated bidding war in American history.. I didn't realize the implications.. The benefit to this arrangement was that instead of being in a high tax bracket in 1974, Hunter would be taxed later on, when he was effectively unemployed and on the hook for a smaller amount. Jimmy, he asked, what would it take for you to come and play for the Yankees? Kluttz had no power to make an offer, but he had a direct line to somebody who did. Dec. 31, 1974: Catfish Hunter, five . They were talking about nearly $3.5 million over five years, and Paul needed help. Keep up with headlines and events at the Baseball Hall of Fame, and see who will be taking their place in history next. Born: 8-Apr-1946 Birthplace: Hertford, NC Died: 9-Sep-1999 Location of . Catfish Hunter Stats, Fantasy & News. You started our success, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner told Hunter upon the pitchers induction to the Hall of Fame in 1987. (Doug McWilliams/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) Hunter was afraid his career might be over in the summer of 1978, because of shoulder problems. You talk to him once more. So Kluttz did exactly that. But on Dec. 31, 1974 the future Hall of Famer traded in his bright yellow As uniform for Yankee pinstripes, after a dispute over a technicality in his contract with As owner Charles O. Finley. May 13, 1965 Telling the pitcher to lay low until the end of the season, the agent said that hed visit Cherry in North Carolina over the winter to work out details. As the room began to fill, the two sides were still finalizing details. The Yankees, meanwhile, were revitalized by their new addition. According to the union, Hunter could proclaim himself a free agent as of Sept. 26, but he did not want to distract from Oaklands playoff push. Round your answers to the nearest cent.) Hunter was declared a free agent after Finley failed to make certain payments called for his in contract. Ring in the new. Only an hour after the World Series ended, even as Oakland players celebrated in their clubhouse, the union filed two grievancesone against Finley for breach of contract, another against Kuhn and Major League Baseball for failure to declare Hunter a free agent. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. News. Seizing the opportunity, the Owner brought MacPhail into the clubhouse, where he found Hunter and offered him a check for the outstanding $50,000 on his contract. (12 x $4,166.67 = $50,000.04. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. [6] He became the American League's first perfect game pitcher since Charlie Robertson in 1922 (excluding Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series), as well as the franchise's first no-hit pitcher since Bill McCahan in 1947 with what were then the Philadelphia Athletics. Never complained or made excuses - just an under-rated big time pitcher. Total Zone Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith. The votes of the first two membersMiller, on behalf of the players, and John Gaherin, the owners chief negotiatorcanceled each other out. Pen has two white stripes running down the length of the pen, one on each side. While the union of baseballs most famous team and perhaps its most famous pitcher was intriguing enough, the price tag was the true headline: A five-year deal worth about $3.2 million, along with a $1 million signing bonus. Only a portion of NBHFM's collection is currently online and the information presented here is subject to updates and additions based on research and imaging activities. If he hadnt agreed to the arrangement, after all, it could hardly be valid. CREATIVE. He sided with Hunter completely. Catfish broke the news of his possible departure to Tenace, Bando and Rudi that night over dinner with their wives. [3] The game was scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning; at the plate, Hunter got three hits and drove in three of Oakland's four runs with a squeeze bunt in the seventh and a bases-loaded single in the eighth.[6]. This placed more strain on the financial reserves of Charles O. Finley & Company than anticipated. Kluttz signed Hunter to his first professional contract with the Kansas City A's in 1964. [2], Hunter died at his home in Hertford in 1999 at age 53, a year after his ALS diagnosis. As for the New York Mets, Flythe said: I informed Mr. Grant [M. Donald, the Mets board chairman] yesterday that his proposal was pretty far down the line and I wouldn't be calling him again unless he wanted to increase the offer.. in Hertford, NC In 1976, Hunter became the fourth major league pitcher to win 200 games before the age of 31 and the only one since Walter Johnson in 1915, preceded by Cy Young and Christy Mathewson. Yankees Sign Up Catfish Hunter In Estimated $3.75Million Deal, https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/01/archives/yankees-sign-up-catfish-hunter-in-estimated-375million-deal-hunter.html. The Rangers discussed a generous straight salary, plus a farm annuity, plus $30,000 a year for 15 years. If you have corrections or additional information about this object, please email research@baseballhall.org to help improve our records. He found Hunter chock-full of questions. Hunter went 0-4 in his seven starts that month. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. Bio/Historical Note Pen used by Jim "Catfish" Hunter to sign a five-year contract estimated at $3.75 million with the New York Yankees on December 31, 1974. Finley, however, was late in delivering the insurance payments, creating strife between owner and pitcher. [24] He left the game with a bruised foot and was eventually placed on the 21-day disabled list with the injury, not pitching again until May5. Once that buffer expired, however. My confidence grew as the hearing developed, Miller said. Matt Kelly was the communications specialist at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. James Augustus "Catfish" Hunter played for championship teams in both Oakland and New York, finding success wherever he went. [22] He also became only the fourth (and last) American League pitcher to win 20 games in a season for five consecutive seasons (19711975). After Finley refused to make payment on the annuity after discovering he had to pay $25,000 in taxes which was due immediately, the breach of contract dispute was brought before an arbitration hearing on November 26, 1974. Although his contemporaries were earning much moreTom Seaver made $173,000 in 1974, and Steve Carlton $165,000Catfish had no way of knowing that. [2][9][10] Hunter recalled being scared after he was declared a free agent. Ultimately, though, New Yorks offer wasnt close enough to merit serious consideration. Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database. Turbow, Jason. [2][3][30] A month before his death, Hunter fell and hit his head on concrete steps at home. CONTRACT NO. Catfish was leaning toward San Diego, although Cherry was still championing the Royals. In obtaining Hunter, the Yankees immeasurably improved their chances for winning their first pennant since 1964. On September 5, 2018, Hunter was inducted into the Oakland Athletics first Hall of Fame class, with wife, Helen, there to receive the honor. James Augustus Hunter (April 8, 1946 September 9, 1999), nicknamed "Catfish", was a professional baseball player in Major League Baseball (MLB). Join our linker program. Lets get this out of the way, he told the pitcher. (1968-74). He was credited by Steinbrenner as the cornerstone of the Yankees in their return to championship form. You have breakfast with that boy tomorrow morning, she insisted. [3] The accident left Hunter somewhat hobbled and jeopardized his prospects in the eyes of many professional scouts, but the Kansas City Athletics signed Hunter to a contract. That is exactly how Cherry wrote the addendum: $50,000 per year, to be paid at regular intervals through the season, and $50,000 disbursed to an entity of Hunters choosing. Jim "Catfish" Hunter, the Hall of Fame pitcher who ushered in baseball's era of big bucks for free agents, died today at age 53 after battling the disease named after another New York Yankees. [3] The song was later released by Dylan, Joe Cocker and Kinky Friedman. When Finley rebuffed, Marvin Miller, head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, seized the opportunity. That left them about 12 hours to finalize things. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Finley agreed. ", List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders, List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders, "Catfish Hunter, Who Pitched in 6 World Series for A's and Yankees, Dies at 53", "Catfish Hunter Winter Leagues Statistics & History". How many seasons did Catfish Hunter play? Desperate to find a suitable arrangement, he even offered up insanity: a 10-year contract at $15,000 per season in lieu of the $150,000 that he owed. When Miller and MLB Players Association counsel Dick Moss read the contract, they agreed with Hunters interpretation and sent written notice to Finley about the violation. While Paul and Flythe made travel preparations for New York, Greenwald was already on his way to the airport in Cleveland to charter a plane to North Carolina. See the article in its original context from. Collections; . Just a year ago, the Yankees went through a devastating experience with another former Finley employe. Catfish Hunter weighed 190 lbs (86 kg) when playing. vs. CLE 6.1 IP, 8 H, 2 SO, 1 BB, 4 ER. He lost 12 games and had a 2,49 earnedrun average. Finley's default on his contractual obligation led to Hunter's historic free agency. Finley claimed that he was fulfilling the contract when he offered Hunter a $50,000 check at the end of the season. "[42] Former teammate Lou Piniella said, "Catfish was a very unique guy. (Age 33-162d) Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Answer to Solved Given: $160.00 .qi = $1000 find 5221 More pre- Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 1:04PM. If it hadn't been for him, the Yankees would've had a little more trouble signing me.. Born: Im sure that he will be with us next season. Privately, he was less reticent. Hunter, a major leaguer for 10 years, tied for the most victories, in the majors last season with 25. and then it was done. In 1976, Hunter was also the subject of the Bobby Hollowell song "The Catfish Kid (Ballad of Jim Hunter)", which was performed by Big Tom White and released on a 45 RPM single. One thing Paul had working in his favor, however, was Yankees director of minor league scouting Clyde Kluttz. Find Catfish Hunter stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. But baseball had changed forever, years after a brave man named Curt Flood had his career end when he challenged the reserve clause all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Only a portion of NBHFM's collection is currently online and the information presented here is subject to updates and additions based on research and imaging activities. Ill give you the money, and we can go try to win the World Series. Catfish, heeding Cherrys advice, turned him down. 12,369th in major league history) [2][3] A story circulated that his family gave him the nickname as a child when he went missing and was later found with a string of catfish; there is no truth to that explanation. The New York Yankees signed Hunter to a five-year, $3,750,000 contract.) The Jim "Catfish" Hunter Memorial is located in Hertford. I believe there were higher offers, Hunter said after signing his contract, but no matter how much money was offered, if you want to be a Yankee, you dont think about it.. [37], Along with Billy Williams and Ray Dandridge, Hunter was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1987. 1972-74 Oakland Athletics, .avia-section.av-k6v62xgq-c0812a68936ee67ed4883eaa9d35be9b{ Gabe Paul, the Yankee president, refused to disclose monetary terms but it was believed to be a $3.75million package. Some owners even flew to Hunters country home in North Carolina to woo the star right-hander. Select from premium Catfish Hunter of the highest quality. He had just completed a stellar season, capturing the Cy Young Award after leading the American League in wins (25) and earned run average (2.49) and powering the Oakland Athletics to their third consecutive World Series title. From 1965 to 1979, he was a pitcher for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees. [21] Hunter became known as baseball's "first big-money free agent".[2]. For this reason, he declined to choose a team; accordingly, his plaque depicts him with no logo on his cap. Couldnt be worse than Finley, Kluttz reasoned, plus hes just as serious about winning. Hunter signed with the Yankees on a five-year, $3.25 million contract. [35] He was unconscious for several days after the fall, but he had returned home from that hospitalization when he died. In the Dodger Stadium press box, the agent laid it all out for the assembled media, adding that Hunter was not talking because his focus was on the World Series. "We don't belong to anybody", he told his wife.[2]. inHertford,NC, Buried: I was probably the first player who broke it open for other players to be paid what they're worth, Hunter said. If you have corrections or additional information about this object, please email research@baseballhall.org to help improve our records. I hung up the phone, turned to my wife and said, We don't belong to anybody. I was scared. I bought the whole town of Ahoskie drinks last night, and it only cost me two dollars.. When you play with guys like that, you feel blessed."[42]. I thought it might be too drastic for an arbitrator.. Bio/Historical NotePen used by Jim "Catfish" Hunter to sign a five-year contract estimated at $3.75 million with the New York Yankees on December 31, 1974. [41] An annual softball event is held in Hertford in memory of Hunter. After a contract violation on an annuity by Finley in 1974, Catfish Hunter won arbitration in December and he was allowed to leave the Athletics as a free agent. September 17, 1979 A history of the Sports Reference Sponsorship System. Hunter was to repay the money at a minimum of $20,000 per year, plus 6 percent interest, for as long as it took to get square. Cherry spent the summers middle months peppering Finley with letters seeking fulfillment. By the end of the 1974 season, Jim Catfish Hunter was the ace on baseballs best team. Finley attempted to have the arbitration ruling overturned,[17] but was unsuccessful after several appeals. Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com, and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. Object number: B-1975-0563. Bitter feelings from that exchange stayed with the pitcher for a long time, and informed his future actions. Some defensive statistics Copyright Sports Info Solutions, 2010-2023. Anyone can read what you share. [23] Hunter was also a competent hitter, with a career batting average of .226; in 1971 he hit .350 with 36 hits in 38 games. Hunter's statistics while he was with the Athletics were impressive: four consecutive years with at least 20 wins, and four World Series wins without a loss. Catfish Hunter. When Kluttz called his wife, Wayne, from the airport to tell her that he and Paul were homeward bound, she surprised him with instructions to stay put. Jim "Catfish" Hunter holds Yankee emblem after signing multi-million dollar contract. Ring in the new. But that is exactly what he did. His attorney back home in North Carolina, J. Carlton Cherry, had advised him to defer some of it. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. The money Hunter made when he signed that night at the Yankees old offices in the Parks Administration Building (in Flushing, Queens, of all places) seems quaint in comparison to the money modern free agents now make. Joked Burke, Well, we wont have to worry about that, will we? Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. It's also available for football, basketball and hockey. Hertford and Ahoskie had never seen anything like it and now the Yankees hope Hunter will help them see the things they always used to seepennants. On Dec. 18, Kuhn, seeing no other option, lifted his moratorium. They both knew it was folly. He also won four times without losing in the World Series. Catfish Hunter signs free agent contract with New York Yankees, https://www.tiktok.com/@baseballhall?lang=en. well, they were breaking new ground. For reasons that remain nebulous to this day, Finley failed to make a $50,000 life insurance annuity payment on behalf of Jim "Catfish" Hunter, even though it was clearly stipulated in the ace pitcher's contract. . Catfish Hunter was born on April 8, 1946. If it was not valid, that meant Catfish had been pitching contract-free, which would make him a free agent. from the SABR BioProject, More Catfish Hunter Pages at Baseball Reference. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Kluttz, who never earned more than $10,000 as a major league catcher, is a hunting companion of the pitcher in the offseason in North Carolina where both live. Second, so what if you're in the orchestra? . That was where the old scout shot the final arrow in his quiver. : It is my opinion that Hunter still belongs to the A's. Notably absent from the proceedings was George Steinbrenner, the Yankee general partner who is forbidden from participating in Yankee affairs under terms of his twoyear suspension from baseball following his conviction for illegal political contributions. Catfish Hunter's 1974 baseball contract with the Oakland Athletics called for half of his $100,000 salary to be paid to a life insurance company of his choice for the purchase of a deferred annuity. Much later, he became another champion Yankees player afflicted with ALS, the way Lou Gehrig had been, dying at the age of 53 back home in North Carolina. Catfish Hunter played 15 seasons. In that moment, Hunter -- one of the great pitchers of his time -- became baseball's first free agent. I LOVE NEW YORK is a registered trademark and service mark of the New York State Department of Economic Development; used with permission. On Dec. 16, Seitz formally upheld Hunters grievance but failed to mention the crucial out clause that would grant the pitcher freedom. Prior to the 1968 season, Finley moved the A's from Kansas City to Oakland. It put the executive in a tight spot. Read more. Heis often referred to as baseball's first big-money free agent, and was a member of five World Series championship teams.[1]. The race was on. Hegrew up on a farm and excelled in a variety of sports at Perquimans County High School. He asked Finley for a leave of absence between starts to pull something together, but his request was denied. At Hunters salary$21,500 in 1969, $33,200 in 70it was a stretch, but worth it. From that point on, every deal Hunter made with Finley was extensively documented, with signatures from each party in all the appropriate places. Ring out the old. I asked [Finley] once why he only called me on the days I was due to pitch, but he said he didnt know when I was going to pitch, Hunter recalled. Jim "Catfish" Hunter helped the Yankees to three American League pennants and two World Series titles after leaving the Athletics following the 1974 season. 1) We are making 4166.67 for 12 installments bimonthly and our investment is growing @6%.