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.
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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