Tuesday, November 07, 2023

Happy # 85 Jim Kaat


We say happy birthday to Jim Kaat born on this day in 1938.   He was a great lefty who later became a wonderful baseball analyst.

Kaat broke with the Washington Senators in 1959 and became a starter in 1961 now that the team was in Minnesota.  


"Kitty", as he was called, pitched 15 years with the Twins and won 190 games with a 3.34 ERA.    

Kaat beat Sandy Koufax in game 2 of the 1965 World Series.    In 1966, Kaat was named AL Sporting News Pitcher of the Year.   
Later, he started games in the 1969 & 1970 ALCS but the Twins were swept twice by the Orioles.

Surprisingly, the Twins traded him to the Chicago White Sox where he won 45 with a 3.10 ERA in 3 seasons.    It was probably the best pitching period of his career.

Kaat hung around until 1983.    He finished with 283 wins, a 3.45 ERA and completed 180 games.

After baseball, Jim Kaat moved to the radio/TV booth and became one of the best game analysts.


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