James Paul (Jim) Bunning

James Paul David “Jim” Bunning

Detroit Tigers Player (1955 - 1963)

Jim Bunning was born in Southgate, Kentucky and attended Cincinnati St. Xavier High School before graduating from Xavier University. While at Xavier, Bunning signed a contract with the Detroit Tigers and spent five years (1950 to 1954) in the Tigers minor league system, making his major league debut in 1955. Bunning pitched for the Tigers through the 1963 season, becoming the AL wins leader in 1957, the rest of his MLB career through the 1971 season was spent with Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. Bunning’s nine-year Detroit Tiger career included a 118 - 87 record with a 3.45 ERA and 16 shutouts.  Overall he pitched a no-hitter and a perfect game and was a nine-time All-Star.  His post playing days included a lengthy political career as he served in the Kentucky Senate from 1980 – 1984, the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987 – 1999 and the U.S. Senate from 1999 – 2011. Jim Bunning was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996 and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. He passed away on May 26, 2017 at 85 years of age.