The following is excerpted fromDynastic, Bombastic, Fantastic: Reggie, Rollie, Catfish, and Charlie Finleys Swingin As. A decade later it was Kluttz, still tight with the pitcher, who suggested Hunters $200,000-per-year compromise offer to Finley. 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. 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. Hunter tried to arrange alternative financing through multiple banks in North Carolina, but without showing up in person it couldnt be done. The others were Walter Johnson (10), Lefty Grove (7), and Bob Feller (5). But it was huge money at the time, ending what the New York Times called the most celebrated bidding war in American history.. And the map shows spots in Michigan, where fishermen caught Flathead catfish. National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Many thanks to him. This placed more strain on the financial reserves of Charles O. Finley & Company than anticipated. So was Catfish Hunter.". For the first time since the 1870s, a major league player was free to offer his services to the highest bidder. There was no hiding it now. 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. Bowie Kuhn said it was like giving a life sentence to a pickpocket, and imposed a moratorium on other teams negotiating with Hunter. - B-NY76-B (Doug McWilliams / National Baseball Hall of Fame Library), One thing worried me, Miller later reflected. Paul was vibrant when he called Flythe back. As the room began to fill, the two sides were still finalizing details. Regal. That was where the old scout shot the final arrow in his quiver. It was from Finley. Anyone can read what you share. Hunter is mentioned in the 1976 film The Bad News Bears. Blue plastic ballpoint pen and cap. Catfish Hunter was a Pitcher. They were talking about nearly $3.5 million over five years, and Paul needed help. But the document in question was the only contract Hunter had. Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. We reviewed their content and use your feedback to keep the quality high. Hunter retired at age 33 following the 1979 season, after developing persistent arm problems, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987. Finleys bombardment peaked in August. Hunter was by that time among baseball's best. Hunter, Kluttz, and a coterie of lawyers from Cherrys office met Greenwalds plane at the Suffolk Airport in Virginia, some 45 minutes away. Catfish had won 106 games over the previous five years and had just been voted the American Leagues best pitcher and was still only 28 years old. (Hunter wished to have such an annuity in lieu of immediate salary for tax reasons. [36] Hunter is interred at Cedarwood Cemetery in Hertford, adjacent to the field where he played high school baseball. vs. CLE 6.1 IP, 8 H, 2 SO, 1 BB, 4 ER. One was that Finley, while poring over the contract, added revisions in his own handwritinginstructions to his payroll department to earmark payments to whomever Hunter designated. Hunter wanted to make a decision by the next day, Dec. 31. Finley claimed that he was fulfilling the contract when he offered Hunter a $50,000 check at the end of the season. 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. us, Died: Hunter was afraid his career might be over in the summer of 1978, because of shoulder problems. In 2019, MLB's revenues were $10.7 billion, the average player's salary $4.43 million. I bought the whole town of Ahoskie drinks last night, and it only cost me two dollars.. Hunter listened, and never spent a day in the minors. He was a man of loyalty. The race was on. Heis often referred to as baseball's first big-money free agent, and was a member of five World Series championship teams.[1]. At first the Owner didnt respond. 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. Later he offered a bevy of excuses, including that the paperwork was lost. In 2004, the Oakland Athletics began the Catfish Hunter Award. I dont know much about this, Jerry. Ring in the new. . Round your answers to the nearest cent.) Finley.[5]. He exemplified class and dignity and he taught us how to win. 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. According to Paul, the Yankees signed Hunter last night rather than wait until 1975 on the advice of Greenwald, their tax lawyer. I told him, I don't want it that way. The images, titles, and descriptions are products of their time. On Feb. 11, 1974, Hunter agreed with Finley on a two-year deal at $100,000 peronly the second multiyear contract the Owner ever awarded. 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.) It was 47 years ago, New Years Eve of 1974, that baseball changed forever. [37], Along with Billy Williams and Ray Dandridge, Hunter was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1987. In the movie Grumpier Old Men, an enormous and highly prized fish is named "Catfish Hunter" by the locals. The catfish fish (under the chicken) was fried to perfection and seasoned well. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database. James Augustus "Catfish" Hunter played for championship teams in both Oakland and New York, finding success wherever he went. Hunter claimed Finley had breached his contract by failing to pay him $50,000 - half of Hunter's salary - into a long-term annuity fund. I was probably the first player who broke it open for other players to be paid what they're worth, Hunter said. Catfish Hunter. September 17, 1979 Jim "Catfish" Hunter holds Yankee emblem after signing multi-million dollar contract. Hunter's contract with the A's was straightforward. Explore the map and charts for more successful Flathead catfish fishing. 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. While playing for the Yankees, Catfish Huntercontinued to perform well. 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. [2], In 1990, Hunter was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. Can I live in New York City? How much did Catfish Hunter weigh when playing? [3] The song was later released by Dylan, Joe Cocker and Kinky Friedman. 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.. Catfish Hunter signs free agent contract with New York Yankees, https://www.tiktok.com/@baseballhall?lang=en. Finley remained bewildered, at least publicly. I offer him the money and he wont take it.. 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.. Pen has a silver clip near the top with "Regal / 39c / Carbide Ball Fine." April 8, 1946 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). A contract to play for the As in 1975, he said, would be arriving shortly. The most recent challenge to the reserve clause, made by St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood, had been denied by the U.S. Supreme Court two years before. Catfish Hunter left the Athletics via free agency following the 1974 season and signed with the Yankees. All because the quiet man from Hertford, N.C., didnt legally belong to anybody after it was ruled that he could leave Charlie Finleys As and make his own choices about where he wanted to pitch next. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. Catfish Hunter played 15 seasons. He sided with Hunter completely. Be sure no one else knows, he warned. Hunter's five-year contract with the Yankees wasvalued at $3.35 million. It's 10 pages long in my handwriting and I'm the only one who can read my writing., As Hunter sat calmly behind a desk in a blue longsleeved sport shirt, blue and black checked slacks and a blue Yankee cap, Paul, his new boss, explained that as late as 8 o'clock there were some areas [in the agreement] that could've killed the whole thing.. Prior to the 1968 season, Finley moved the A's from Kansas City to Oakland. The executive raged about being used as a pawn to drive up other offers, but there was little he could do. On the way I did a rough draft of the contract and he signed the draft three hours later. 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. 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. I didn't have a job. This is a 12-month CONTRACT position with a possible extension . Hunter played linebacker and offensive tackle in football as well as shortstop, cleanup batter, and pitcher in baseball. 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. Recouping his loan to Hunter was among the Owners quickest paths to solvency. Select from premium Catfish Hunter of the highest quality. The Owner went out of his way to invest money for Catfish, generating an after-tax profit of $15,000 in 1972 alone. In September, the pitcher turned to Washington attorney and agent Jerry Kapstein for help, and reported the pertinent details. Then, he underwent a 10-minute, non-surgical shoulder manipulation at the hands of Yankees team doctor Maurice Cowen. He paid immediate dividends with the Yankees, winning 23 games in the first year of his new contract, and then contributed to three straight pennant-winning seasons, 1976-1978. 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. Tasked to make sense of it was a three-person panel. from the SABR BioProject, More Catfish Hunter Pages at Baseball Reference. Blue plastic ballpoint pen and cap. All rights reserved. (a) Using an annual effective interest rate of 6% (a rate that figures in a six-year personal loan of $120,000 that Oakland's owner Charlie Finley had made to Hunter in 1969 and then promptly recalled), find the value of the specified payments to the insurance company at the scheduled time of the last payment. They drove up to a little landing strip in Suffolk, Va., and we landed in New York at 5:30. On Oct. 4 the MLBPA sent a telegram to Finleys Chicago office, notifying the Owner of his default and informing him that because of the impending playoffs and World Series, the effective date of termination [of Hunters contract] shall be the day following the last game played by the Oakland Athletics in 1974., The ALCS began at the Coliseum the following day. Hunter was the first pitcher since 1915 to win 200 games by age31. [2][9][10] Hunter recalled being scared after he was declared a free agent. Pen has a silver clip near the top with "Regal / 39c / Carbide Ball Fine." News. He also won four times without losing in the World Series. Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. Join our linker program. James Augustus Hunter (April 8, 1946 September 9, 1999), nicknamed "Catfish", was a professional baseball player in Major League Baseball (MLB). They might not rank with the trade for a Babe Ruth, but they'll do for their present needs. All proceeds from the weekend benefit ALS research. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store / Restaurant #221 of 1276 places to eat in Lansing. More precisely, there were to be semi-monthly contributions in Hunter's name to the Jefferson Insurance Company with the first payment on April 16 and the final. Seitz took 20 days to announce his decision, and when he did it was groundbreaking. During his senior year in November 1963, Hunter's right foot was wounded by a brother in a hunting accident; helost one of his toes and shotgun pellets lodged in his foot. 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. If it hadn't been for him, the Yankees would've had a little more trouble signing me.. Hadnt he stuck with him through his hunting accident? Still, he made it to the end of a contract that were remembering today, because that contract ought to be remembered. If the arbitrator sided with Hunter, the star pitchers contract could be voided. I cannot believe that Catfish would do this to me, he said. Hunter has been the subject of numerous popular culture references, including the Bob Dylan song "Catfish". From that point on, every deal Hunter made with Finley was extensively documented, with signatures from each party in all the appropriate places. 46 Years Ago. That was moment that George Steinbrenner became relevant to baseballs landscape, and that Charles O. Finley became an afterthought. 2003-2023 Chegg Inc. All rights reserved. Without its ace, Finleys As would fall to last place by 1977. Just walking into Yankee Stadium chills, run through you. Bob Dylan wrote the song "Catfish" in 1975. [41] An annual softball event is held in Hertford in memory of Hunter. After the designated hitter was adopted by the . The two men went to Cherrys office, where one of the attorneys partners, Joe Flythe, called Paul with details of the contractual benchmarks that could seal the deal. This, plus the acquisition of Bobby Bonds from San Francisco gives the team two of the biggest deals in its history. Every effort has been made to accurately determine the rights status of images. Amid the fervor for the pitchers services, he was supplicating himselfor coming as close to it as he knew how. I did everything I could to live up to the contract, but he still has not paid the money, Hunter told him. 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. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Before seeing Cherry, however, he stopped at the Tomahawk Motel to meet Kluttz for a cup of coffee. This was standard language found in every uniform player contract, placed there 40 years earlier by the owners themselves to provide a reasonable buffer against default claims. 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.. Hunter, a major leaguer for 10 years, tied for the most victories, in the majors last season with 25. You'll get a detailed solution from a subject matter expert that helps you learn core concepts. After Hunter's death, former teammate Reggie Jackson described Hunter as a "fabulous human being. If you come to San Diego, he barked into the telephone, you can write your own check., Bavasi was informed that at that very moment Hunter was heading out the back door, to the airport and New York City. In 1966 and 1967, he was named to the American League All-Star team. Jim "Catfish" Hunter helped the Yankees to three American League pennants and two World Series titles after leaving the Athletics following the 1974 season. You have breakfast with that boy tomorrow morning, she insisted. From 1965 to 1979, he was a pitcher for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees. 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. Hunter has been the subject of multiple popular culture references. If he hadnt agreed to the arrangement, after all, it could hardly be valid. 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. 12,369th in major league history) Hunter signed with the Yankees for $3.75 million over five years, proving that a market for veteran free . 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. (12 x $4,166.67 = $50,000.04. 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. 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. 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. 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. . This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. But that is exactly what he did. Closed now. Just a year ago, the Yankees went through a devastating experience with another former Finley employe. 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. Ordinarily, Paul could go directly to owner George Steinbrenner for approval, but the Boss had been suspended by Bowie Kuhn for making illegal campaign contributions to Richard Nixon and was temporarily banned from contact. Find the amount of the annual salary payments. On the morning of the last day of the year Hunter drove to Ahoskie prepared to finalize a deal. background-color:#ba3434; He found Hunter chock-full of questions. }, Cronkite School at ASU My favorite player of all time. [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. Order online. Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1987. Do you have a sports website? 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. [8] Twenty days later on December 16, arbitrator Peter Seitz decided in favor of Hunter, officially making him a free agent. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Do you have a blog? Twenty-two of the remaining 23 teams all but the San Francisco Giants entered the sweepstakes for baseballs best big game pitcher. I was in my office for half a day and I was wearing a sweat shirt, related Greenwald, a leading tax attorney. 1972-74 Oakland Athletics, .avia-section.av-k6v62xgq-c0812a68936ee67ed4883eaa9d35be9b{ That left them about 12 hours to finalize things. Some defensive statistics Copyright Sports Info Solutions, 2010-2023. Im sure that he will be with us next season. Privately, he was less reticent. Phoenix, AZ 85004 You were the first to teach us how to win.. 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. Turbow, Jason. 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. We need to calculate the future value of this. Experts are tested by Chegg as specialists in their subject area. Reserve your tickets, map your route, and work out all the details for your arrival in Cooperstown. What position did Catfish Hunter play? Hunter was effectively pitching for half the money for which he signed. On Feb. 11, 1974, Hunter agreed with Finley on a two-year deal at $100,000 peronly the second multiyear contract the Owner ever awarded. Show your love of the game and play a part in preserving past and ensuring the future of the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Yankees, meanwhile, were revitalized by their new addition. Posed action on the mound of James "Catfish" Hunter of the New York Yankees, 1976. Cherry spent the summers middle months peppering Finley with letters seeking fulfillment. In 1976, Hunter won 17 games, led the Yankees in complete games and innings pitched, and was again named to the All-Star team. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 1:04PM. ", 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". More precisely, there were to be semi-monthly contributions in Hunter's name to the Jefferson Insurance Company with the first payment on April 16 and the final payment on September 30. Catfish Hunter and his wife, Helen, live in the same house in the tiny town of Hertford, N.C., that they lived in 20 years ago. Kluttz was no fan of the urban environment, but there were places on the outskirts with space to breathe. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. By Oct. 11 it was national news. Catfish Hunter had 2,012 strikeouts over his career. Data Provided By I hung up the phone, turned to my wife and said, We don't belong to anybody. I was scared. Discover one-of-a-kind artifacts and get lost in sweeping exhibitions that explore pivotal moments in the game and its impact far beyond the field. In his first season in New York, Hunter led the American League with 23 wins and 328 innings pitched. A history of the Sports Reference Sponsorship System. Finley argued that he believed the deal to involve deferred money, paid after the pitchers career endednot a sum due right away. Ring out the old. The signing, announced at a New Year's Eve news conference, took place at the Yankee offices in the Parks Administration Building in Flushing, Queens, where intricate negotiations wound up after Hunter and his lawyers flew here from North Carolina earlier in the day. Born: 8-Apr-1946 Birthplace: Hertford, NC Died: 9-Sep-1999 Location of . Watch. This material is made available for private study, scholarship, and research use. Never complained or made excuses - just an under-rated big time pitcher. Kluttz, who visited Hunter along with Paul, was the former As scout who had been vital in steering the pitcher toward the As in the first place. (Doug McWilliams/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) And what about the farm loan? Buttermaker asks, "Who do you think you are, Catfish Hunter?" Minor-league pitcher Jason Kosow portrayed Hunter in the ESPN miniseries The Bronx is Burning, which depicted the 1977 New York Yankees. Self-guided tour or VIP experience. May 13, 1965 071B6200168 between THE STATE OF MICHIGAN and NAME & ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR / VENDOR VENDOR TELEPHONE CLIENT NETWORK SERVICES, INC. (CNSI) (301) 634-4600 702 King Farm Boulevard, 2nd Floor Rockville, MD 20850 Mr. B. Chatterjee, President [chatterjee@cns-inc.com](or) BUYER/CA Dale Reif Mr. Jaytee Kanwal, Chief Financial Officer (or) . Find Catfish Hunter stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. background-image:unset; That was their signing of Dick Williams to manage the club after he resigned as manager of the A's with one year to go on his contract. 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. Hunter would lead them to three consecutive pennants and back-to-back World Series titles in 1977-78, restoring the Bronx Bombers to the top of the baseball world.

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