Look up June 4, 1980. At 41 years of age, Jim Kaat threw a complete game shutout for the Cardinals against the Mets, winning 1-0. That, ladies and gentlemen, was quite a game to watch and quite a tribute to Kaat's work ethic and talent. Two years later, he was an important part of the 1982 St. Louis pitching staff that helped win the World Series. Great career, great guy, and a well-deserved honor.
Great speech Jim and congratulations on your induction. Saw many home games during the 82 season. Thanks to you and your awesome teammates for the memories of that memorable season.
Kaat was not only a great pitcher but also an outstanding fielder at his position and a solid hitter. The thing I actually remember most from watching him play for the Twins was the home runs he hit, which was so unusual for a pitcher. He then went on to become, IMHO, one of the premier broadcasters in baseball. Well deserved, Jim!
As Red Sox fans, my cousins and I attended HOF weekend to see David Ortiz get inducted. I came away a Jim Kaat fan- what an eloquent speech. It had the perfect blend of personal history, humility, and perspective.
He’s been a favorite of mine since I got his ‘Topps Rookie Star’ baseball card in 1959. He could also get into The Hall of Fame as a broadcaster. That’s how great he was behind the microphone.
So grateful Jim Kaat finally made the Hall of Fame. My all time favorite player. Years ago Robin Roberts wrote in his auto - biography that the one player from his era that had been overlooked for HOF was Jim Kaat . One stat that I never saw brought up much was that the pitcher that had the most victories in the American League during the decade of the 60's was Jim Kaat. Çongratulations on this overdue honor!
Kaat pitched the pennant clinching game for the Twins in '65 against the expansion Washington Senators. A great pitcher, hitter, and Gold Glove winner 16 times!
What a legend. So glad Jim was elected….thought he should have been for years. His passion and stories of baseball are legendary. My brother and i always joke how soothing his tales of yesteryear are. Congrats Jim!
In an interview last week on Cardinals baseball Kaat told an interesting story. In April on 1960 the Washington Senators played the Yankees and Kaat's mound opponent was Whitey Ford. Kaat was warming up prior to the game near Ford and he said Ford's fastball made an audible noise. Kaat - a rookie - went over to Ford and asked Ford to show him how he gripped his fastball. Ford obliged and for the next 23 years that's how Kaat gripped his fastball. Tip of the hat to Whitey Ford for helping a rookie from another team.
I remember seeing him pitch for the Yankees at the end of his career. He was still getting hitters out. He once said that he challenged Mantle with a fastball. The last he saw of the ball was it going over the center field wall. He told some of the funniest stories when he announced for the Yanks.
