Former Tigers’ pitcher Jim Bunning has passed away

Jim Bunning, former Detroit Tigers pitcher, passed away Friday, May 26 at the age of 85.

Though Jim Bunning may be best remembered for the tail end of his playing years spent with the Philadelphia Phillies, he began his Hall of Fame career in Detroit. He spent nine years with the Tigers. He made his major league debut for the Tigers on July 20, 1955, and remained with the team until 1963. His record with the Tigers was a whopping 118 wins and 87 losses, a 3.45 ERA, and 1406 strike outs. His lifetime number with the Tigers, Phillies, Pirates and Dodgers over 17 incredible seasons were 224-184, a 3.27 ERA, and 2855 strike outs.

Bunning was a nine-time All-Star. He pitched a no-hitter for the Tigers in 1958, and a perfect game for the Phillies in 1964. In 1996 the Veterans Committee elected Bunning to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and in 2001 the Phillies retired his #14 jersey.

After baseball, Bunning returned to Kentucky and began a lengthy political career, serving in both the U.S. House of Representatives, and the United States Senate. After serving two terms as the Senator of Kentucky, he opted to withdraw from political life in 2010. In 2016 he suffered from a stroke.

Bunning is survived by his wife Mary Catherine Theis.

The Tigers released an official message regarding the passing of Bunning.

Our hearts go out to the Bunning family and all of Jim’s friends at this time.