Catfish Hunter

Catfish Hunter was an All-Star starting pitcher for the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees. A 5-time World Series champion, he was the first million dollar per year baseball player, and after his retirement was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He passed away from complications from Lou Gehrig Disease in 1999.

James Hunter was given the nickname of "Catfish" by Charles O. Finey, then owner of the Kansas City Athletics in 1965. After Finey moved the team to Oakland, the team and Catfish become successful and won three World Series.

After a contract dispute Catfish left the Oakland A's and became a New York Yankee. The Yankees paid him 1 million dollars, making him the first player to earn over a million dollars. He repaid the Yankees by winning the Cy Young Award and helping them gain two World Series titles.http://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/nc/bio/sports/catfish.htm

Hunter retired in 1979 and returned to Hertferd, North Carolina. He was inducted into the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987. He passed away in 1999 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at the age of 53.

• April 8, 1946: Born

• 1965: Get His First Win Versus The Boston Red Socks

• 1966: Voted To The American League All-Star Team

• 1967: Voted For The 2nd Year In A Row To The American League All-Star Team

• 1968: Pitches First Perfect Game In The American League Since 1922

• 1974: Wins Cy Young Award And Is Named Pitcher Of The Year

• 1979: Retires From Baseball After 7 All-Star Appearances

• 1987: Inducted Into National Baseball Hall Of Fame

• September 9, 1999: Dies from Lou Gherig's Disease At The Age Of 53

• 1987: Inducted Into National Baseball Hall Of Fame

• September 9, 1999: Dies from Lou Gherig's Disease At The Age Of 53