Yesterday our beloved Detroit Tigers opened up Spring Training play against other major league squads with a victory over Toronto. With MLB action underway again we tip our cap to Tigers Hall of Famer, Jim Bunning.
The first Tigers team I saw play at old Tiger Stadium was the 1961 squad. For that reason, and the fact they won over 100 games, they are still my favorite bunch of Tigers-- even over the World Champs of '68 and '84. Jim was a pitching star of that team with a 17-11 record (4th best in the AL that season). He posted a 3.19 ERA over 268 innings pitched. Nobody pitches 268 innings these days but Jim's total was 3rd highest in the AL in 1961. He struck out 194 in '61 and had a 1.311 WHIP, 4th best in the league. Yep, Jim was a star on that great 1961 club that also featured Rocky Colavito, batting champ Norm Cash, Yankee killer Frank Lary, and superstar Al Kaline.
So here's a warm attaboy to 1996 Hall of Fame inductee Jim Bunning. We wish you success in all things.
