Jim Bunning

Jim Bunning is the junior Republican Senator from Kentucky. He began his Senate term in 1999 after serving for 12 years in the House of Representatives. He is also a former Major League Baseball pitcher.

On February 25, 2010, Bunning led a filibuster demanding that Democrats pay for a 30-day extension of federal unemployment benefits out of the stimulus money, as opposed to passing it unfunded.http://www.newser.com/story/81886/bunning-hijacks-senate-with-jobless-filibuster.html?utm_source=9at9&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20100226 On March 2nd Bunning again blocked a bill that would have extended unemployment benefits, before caving in and voting for the bill later that night.http://www.wkyt.com/news/headlines/85971872.html http://abcnews.go.com/WN/senator-jim-bunning-tells-abc-news-working-deal/story?id=9988737 Bunning convinced Majority Leader Harry Reid to allow voting on a subsequent bill that would slash government spending in other areas to offset the $10 billion cost of this extension. This subsequent bill is expected to fail.http://abcnews.go.com/WN/senator-jim-bunning-tells-abc-news-working-deal/story?id=9988737

In December of 2009, Bunning delivered a statement to the Senate Banking Committee criticizing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and opposing Bernanke's appointment for a second term. He argues that Bernanke has continued the failed policies of his predecessor, Alan Greenspan, and promised "I will do everything I can to stop your nomination and drag out the process as long as possible."http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1364480.html He also referred to Bernanke as "the definition of a moral hazard."http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1364480.html

It is highly unlikely that he will run for another term as he has alienated even members of his own party.

Bunning is one of the most conservative members of the U.S. Senate. He was ranked by National Journal magazine as the second most conservative Senator. He was second only to South Carolina's Jim DeMint.

While giving a speech in February of 2009 at the Hardin County Republican Party's Lincoln Day dinner, Bunning predicted that Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who recently underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer, had only nine-months to live. Bunning has no medical expertise and made the comments within the context of his supporting a conservative judge for her seat.The Assoicated Press: Bunning says Justice Ginsburg may die this year (February 23, 2009) He later apologized for any offense Ginsburg may have taken, and said that his thoughts and prayers are with Ginsburg and her family.Fox News: Bunning Apologizes for Predictions of Ginsburg's Early Demise (February 23, 2009)

Jim Bunning, full name James Paul David Bunning was born October 23, 1931 in Southgate, Kentucky. He played Major League Baseball from 1955 to 1971, beginning his career with the Detroit Tigers. He made his major league debut on July 20th, 1955.

He attended St. Xavier high school in Cincinnati, Ohio and Xavier university, before signing with the Tigers as an amateur free agent in 1950. During his career, he pitched no-hitters in both the American and National Leagues, the first with the Tigers against the Boston Red Sox, and then a perfect game in a Philladelphia Phillies uniform against the New York Mets. Although winning only 20 games in a season once, he still accumulated 224 wins and was recognized as one of the best pitchers of his time. He posted four 19 win seasons and won more than100 games in both the American and National leagues. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bunniji01.shtml?redir

Jim was selected an All Star in both the American and National leagues. He was an All Star as a Tiger in 1957, 1959, 1961, 1962 and 1963, and as a Phillie in 1964, and 1966. When Jim retired from Baseball, he was second in all-time strikeouts, behind only Christy Mathewson. Since his retirement, his totals have been surpassed by multiple players.

In 1996, Jim was selected to the Hall of Fame by the Veteran's Committee. Bunning won a total of 224 games in his 17 year career.

On a darker side, Jim plunked 160 batters during his 17 year career. It was no strange feat to see him ring up double digits in hit batsmen in a season, or to be stared down by hitters after near misses. He had no fear of pitching inside.

1950

Jim was signed to his first professional contract by the Detroit Tigers and labored in the minor leagues until 1955.

1955 Bunning made his major league debut on July 20th. He finished his first major league season allowing 59 hits in 51 innings and finishing with a 6.35 ERA. He won 3 games while losing 5 and plunked 3 batters.

1956

In his second season he lowered his ERA to 3.71 and posted 5 victories against only 1 loss. He also recorded 34 strikeouts in 53 innings.

1957 Season

Jim posted 20 wins against 8 losses in his first full year as a starter. He pitched 267 innings and lowered his ERA to 2.69. He also recorded 182 strikeouts and hit 11 batters. Bunning also was a member of the American League Al Star team.

1958 Season

Jim tossed his first no-hitter on July 20th against the Boston Red Sox. During the season he won 14 games with a 3.58 ERA and 177 strikeouts.

1959 Season through 1963 Season

Over the next 5 season Jim won 76 games for the Tigers. His reputation for hitting batters grew to the point that he was challenged on the mound by Jimmy Piersall. He was selected to 6 All Star teams and led American League pitchers in strikeouts twice.

1964 Season

On June 21st, Jim tossed a perfect game against the New York Mets. It had been 84 years since the previous perfect game had been pitched in the National League. During the game, Jim threw 79 of 90 pitches for strikes. He finished with 19 wins against only 8 losses, and recorded an ERA of 2.63. He also struck out 219 hitters while walking only 46.

1965 Season through 1971 Season

Jim led the National league in strikeouts 253 and innings pitched 302 during the 1967 season. He won 19 games on 3 different occasions. He was selected to the National League All Star team in 1964 and 1966 and finished second in voting for the "CY Young" award in 1967. Late in his career, Jim spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers before returning to Philadelphia for his last 2 seasons.

• Official Site:
  • "Bunning Floor Statement Against The Webb Amendment" (September 19, 2007)
  • "Bunning Floor Speech On General Petraeus" (September 11, 2007)
  • "Bunning Fights For Taxpayer Money" (September 6, 2007)
  • "Bunning Floor Speech on SCHIP" (July31, 2007)
  • "Bunning Offers Amendment To SCHIP" (July 31, 2007)
  • "Floor Speech On Iraq And The War On Terror" (July 11, 2007)
  • "Immigration Senate Floor Speech" (June 27, 2007)