The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball, Salaries may not be complete (especially pre-1985) and may not include some earned bonuses, Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. Before baseball adopted its freeagent draft, major league clubs competed for young prospects and frequently paid upwards of $100,000. Hunter was by that time among baseball's best. Jim "Catfish" Hunter holds Yankee emblem after signing multi-million dollar contract. The tournament has raised over $200,000 since 1999. It didnt take long for the $1 million predictions to be blown from the water. Hunter, a major leaguer for 10 years, tied for the most victories, in the majors last season with 25. If you have corrections or additional information about this object, please email research@baseballhall.org to help improve our records. But that is exactly what he did. 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. Amid the fervor for the pitchers services, he was supplicating himselfor coming as close to it as he knew how. Ahoskie, N.C., population 5,500, was the big city close to Hunters home in Hertford, about an hours drive to the northwest. The youngest son of eight children, Hunter was born and raised in Hertford in northeast North Carolina. 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. He asked Finley for a leave of absence between starts to pull something together, but his request was denied. When the A's failed to hold to a contract-mandated insurance payment, Catfish became the league's first free agent, and joined the New York Yankees for the remainder of his career (1974-9.) Use of this website (including any and all parts and components) constitutes your acceptance of these, Dynastic, Bombastic, Fantastic: Reggie, Rollie, Catfish, and Charlie Finleys Swingin As. (Hunter wished to have such an annuity in lieu of immediate salary for tax reasons. That left things up to Peter Seitz, a 69-year-old litigator with nearly two decades of arbitration experience across numerous industries. This was the highest ever at the time which also earned him immense fame. In 2019, MLB's revenues were $10.7 billion, the average player's salary $4.43 million. 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. Order online. - B-NY76-B (Doug McWilliams / National Baseball Hall of Fame Library), One thing worried me, Miller later reflected. One of the ironic parts of this story -- still such a huge story and turning point in baseball history -- is that even though it was the beginning of the way George Steinbrenner would also change baseball forever, Steinbrenner was suspended from the game at the time because of illegal contributions to the Richard Nixon presidential campaign (a felony for which he was eventually pardoned). I was in my office for half a day and I was wearing a sweat shirt, related Greenwald, a leading tax attorney. A contract to play for the As in 1975, he said, would be arriving shortly. National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. As expected, Kuhn declared such a penalty to be too severe. If you didn't know he was making that kind of money, you'd never guess it because he was humble, very reserved about being a star-type player almost a little bit shy. You started our success, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner told Hunter upon the pitchers induction to the Hall of Fame in 1987. Tasked to make sense of it was a three-person panel. By the end of the 1974 season, Jim Catfish Hunter was the ace on baseballs best team. September 9, 1999 Supposedly, Finley was upset about having to pay an additional $25,000 in taxes, but that amount of money would soon become . The votes of the first two membersMiller, on behalf of the players, and John Gaherin, the owners chief negotiatorcanceled each other out. The following is excerpted fromDynastic, Bombastic, Fantastic: Reggie, Rollie, Catfish, and Charlie Finleys Swingin As. It started with Catfish making $640,000 a year for five years. Keep up with headlines and events at the Baseball Hall of Fame, and see who will be taking their place in history next. Mr. 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. [2][9][10] Hunter recalled being scared after he was declared a free agent. . (Age 19-035d, Hunter went 2-9 with a 5.31 ERA in 19 starts in 1979, before retiring at the age of 33. As soon as the season ended Hunter raced home to arrange for a second loan to cover the first, but gave up when a boundary-line dispute delayed the proceedings. Catfish Hunter was born on April 8, 1946. Rookie Status: This was the pitcher who was the object of the affections and treasuries of teams that sent a constant stream of representatives to the tiny town of Hertford where Hunter has lived all of his life and the tiny town of Ahoskie where the law firm of Cherry, Cherry and Flythe has its offices. Jackson kept winning in New York the way he and Hunter -- whom Jackson once described as the boss of the old As -- had won those three World Series titles in Oakland. By days end the Red Sox had upped it to $3 million over five. 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. Hunter was effectively pitching for half the money for which he signed. Find out more. The executive raged about being used as a pawn to drive up other offers, but there was little he could do. Do you have a blog? Catfish Hunter joined the Yankees in 1975 after a contract breach made him a free agent following 10 seasons with the Athletics, including three as a teammate with Dave Hamilton (right). Twenty-two of the remaining 23 teams all but the San Francisco Giants entered the sweepstakes for baseballs best big game pitcher. 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. . MLB.TV Buy MLB.TV Buy At Bat MLB . They both knew it was folly. What about the five grand he gave him for pitching a perfect game, or the cost of a new Cadillac for winning 21 in 1971? To be a Yankee is a thought in everyones head and mine, Hunter said. 2003-2023 Chegg Inc. All rights reserved. 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. And when it came time for the American League's 1974 Cy Young Award winner to make his choice, he was swayed not by the money but by Kluttz's involvement and the Yankee image. I didn't realize the implications.. There were two flaws to this argument. (California Angels owner) Gene Autry came down here handing out records of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Hunter said. He placed a call to Yankees minority partner Ed Greenwald, a prominent tax attorney in Cleveland, and together they concluded that they could make it work. 1974 December 31. Catfish Hunter played 15 seasons. In the last World Series, he said, I had a card in my locker that said, Winning isn't everything, but wanting to is. I always want to win.. ", 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". Hunter has been the subject of multiple popular culture references. 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. You'll get a detailed solution from a subject matter expert that helps you learn core concepts. I believe there was a higher offer, but no matter how much money offered, if you want to be a Yankee, you don't think about it.. Tuesday and Wednesday in office Clover Consulting has a large client in Lansing, MI that is seeking an experienced Project Manager. . I offer him the money and he wont take it.. The Yankees won three straight pennants with Hunter from 1976 to 1978. That winter he sold 80 percent of the farm to a family friend for his initial $150,000 investment and sent the money to the Owner. Catfish Hunter of the New York Yankees warms-up during spring training in March, 1975 in . Find Catfish Hunter stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. I hung up the phone, Hunter said at the time when he learned of the ruling, and turned to my wife and said, We dont belong to anybody.. "[42] Former teammate Lou Piniella said, "Catfish was a very unique guy. Turbow, Jason. 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. Pay the insurance like the contract read.. Video Film Room Hub Statcast MLB Network MLB Originals Podcasts. 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. While playing for the Yankees, Catfish Huntercontinued to perform well. This time they're confident Finley won't beat them, but, Paul added, The courts take precedence over everything. James Augustus Hunter (April 8, 1946 September 9, 1999), nicknamed "Catfish", was a professional baseball player in Major League Baseball (MLB). 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. [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. September 17, 1979 The document would come to be known around Yankees HQ as the Catfish Hunter Manifesto.. Finley, he said, you pay it the way the contract reads, and everything will be just fine. Finley launched into histrionics, crying to MacPhail, What can I do? I cant see how anyone can say hes a free agent. The trouble with that logic was that Hunter, like any employee in any profession, was entitled to the terms of his contract, and accepting a check for which hed have to pay taxes was not within those terms. When Finley rebuffed, Marvin Miller, head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, seized the opportunity. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. 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. Ring in the new. Hegrew up on a farm and excelled in a variety of sports at Perquimans County High School. It put the executive in a tight spot. . Select from premium Catfish Hunter of the highest quality. James Augustus "Catfish" Hunter played for championship teams in both Oakland and New York, finding success wherever he went. How about my wife? asked Catfish. Finley remained bewildered, at least publicly. When Hunter approached him with a solution to both their problemsa long-term contract at $200,000 per season, with a $200,000 bonusFinley rejected him outright and did not counter. 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. Ill give you the money, and we can go try to win the World Series. Catfish, heeding Cherrys advice, turned him down. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Before long the Owner denied having agreed to anything, claiming he never saw the wording appended by Cherry. Just a few months later, however, the Owner purchased the Memphis Pros of the American Basketball Association, supplementing the hockey team he had already acquired, the NHLs California Golden Seals. They might not rank with the trade for a Babe Ruth, but they'll do for their present needs. But he told great stories. FIFA World Cup - Best Goals from Every Angle, Draw for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, Sports Illustrated, Jason Turbow/Sports Illustrated, FOX SPORTS, SPEED, SPEED.COM & 2023 Fox Media LLC and Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. [2][11][12][13][14] He had been courted by 23 of the 24 teams, including the A's but not the San Francisco Giants,[15] and refused higher offers from the San Diego Padres and the Kansas City Royals. Posed action on the mound of James "Catfish" Hunter of the New York Yankees, 1976. He retired with appearances in six World Series and with five World Series championships. background-image:unset; He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in his early 50s, and died of the disease about a year after his diagnosis. Hunter tried to arrange alternative financing through multiple banks in North Carolina, but without showing up in person it couldnt be done. AKA James Augustus Hunter. As a fellow North Carolinian, hed endeared himself to the Hunter family, earning extra points shortly after Hunter first signed when Finley tried to backtrack and get the teenager to agree to a second contractdated 1965 instead of 1964that would have allowed him to be sent to the minors without penalty owing to the expiration of the bonus baby rule. There is no way that New York would have caught Boston during that unforgettable summer, or go on to win its second World Series title in a row, without Hunter pitching the way he did down the stretch. Regal. Andruw Jones Hall of Fame Classic Home Run Derby Autographed bat, Bob Feller Signing Contract with Hank Greenberg photograph, Babe Ruth and Jacob Ruppert at Contract Signing photograph, Philadelphia Phillies versus San Diego Padres scorecard, Chicago Cubs versus New York Yankees scorecard. Minor-league pitcher Jason Kosow portrayed Hunter in the ESPN miniseries The Bronx is Burning, which depicted the 1977 New York Yankees. The irony of Kluttz's presence is that if he had accepted an offer to join the newly created major league scouting bureau late last season, he wouldn't have been available to help the Yankees with Hunter. Early speculation said that it might take as much as $1 million to lock him up. He found Hunter chock-full of questions. Although his contemporaries were earning much moreTom Seaver made $173,000 in 1974, and Steve Carlton $165,000Catfish had no way of knowing that. Finley was on the hook for the outstanding $50,000, plus interest, for Hunters services in 1974, and because he had not fulfilled the players contract, it was theretofore terminated. But the document in question was the only contract Hunter had. 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. Hunter continued to win games, and in 1974 received both The Sporting News's "Pitcher of the Year" award and the American League Cy Young Award after going 2512 with a league-leading 2.49 earned run average. There was no hiding it now. I bought the sports jacket I'm wearing now and left by jet at about 2 o'clock. Please email us if you have further information on the rights status of an image contrary to or in addition to the information in our records. 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. 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. Heis often referred to as baseball's first big-money free agent, and was a member of five World Series championship teams.[1]. [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. The display swayed MacPhail, who later said, The Oakland club offered everything to which [Hunter] is entitled. Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. Every effort has been made to accurately determine the rights status of images. This placed more strain on the financial reserves of Charles O. Finley & Company than anticipated. He sided with Hunter completely. 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. The difference with Hunters stipulation was that the Owner wouldnt have the money at allthe annuity would. Kapstein heard about it just in time to hightail over to Dodger Stadium for Fridays workout. Jim "Catfish" Hunter holds Yankee emblem after signing multi-million dollar contract. (Voted by BBWAA on 315/413 ballots) Hunter, Jim, 1946-1999. . Please email us if you have further information on the rights status of an image contrary to or in addition to the information in our records. [3] The song was later released by Dylan, Joe Cocker and Kinky Friedman. He was owed $100,000 total in 1974, with $50,000 to be paid to him directly from Finley and the remaining half to be issued in monthly payments on an insurance annuity. Hunter was declared a free agent after Finley failed to make certain payments called for his in contract. The benefit to Finley was that he got to hold on to the money in the interim, earning interest on it all the while. Joseph Flythe, one of the attorneys from Ahoskie, N.C., said six other teamsPittsburgh, Los Angeles, Montreal, San Diego, Kansas City and Clevelandremained in the serious bidding until Hunter decided he wanted to join the Yankees. Charlie said, Here's the money, Hunter recalled. It was 47 years ago, New Years Eve of 1974, that baseball changed forever. Total Zone Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith. Jackson wanted New York and the stage of Yankee Stadium, the same as Hunter did before him. Catfish Hunter weighed 190 lbs (86 kg) when playing. Amanda responds by asking, "Who's he?" Clyde never lied to me then and he never lied to me now, said Hunter, who has won 88 games in the last four seasons while helping pitch the A's to three consecutive World Series championships. Phoenix, AZ 85004 Hunter became a free agent after Oakland A's owner Charlie Finley was found to be in breach of contract after he refused to pay $50,000 for an insurance annuity that was part of the pitcher's. Finley, unwilling to consider anybodys terms but his own, refused. Im sure that he will be with us next season. Privately, he was less reticent. All rights reserved. Cherry spent the summers middle months peppering Finley with letters seeking fulfillment. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store / Restaurant #221 of 1276 places to eat in Lansing. That kind of financial outlay required the Yankees to squeeze every penny they could from the contract, and for tax purposes it made sense to put the deal on their 1974 books. [7] He made his major league debut in May, and earned his first win on July 27 in Fenway Park over the Boston Red Sox. [36] Hunter is interred at Cedarwood Cemetery in Hertford, adjacent to the field where he played high school baseball.
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