Jim Bunning

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Lore & Background

Bunning's time with the Phillies was defined by historic resilience and a singular moment of perfection. Acquired from the Detroit Tigers in the 1963 Winter Meetings along with Gus Triandos for Don Demeter and Jack Hamilton, Bunning arrived with a 6–2 record early in his first season. On June 21, 1964, facing Tracy Stallard and the New York Mets, he retired every batter he faced. The game featured critical defensive plays, such as second baseman Tony Taylor's diving catch that kept catcher Jesse Gonder off the bases. Bunning also contributed at the plate, hitting a double and driving in two runs in the sixth inning. He reached only two three-ball counts all game, retiring pinch-hitters George Altman and John Stephenson on strikeouts to complete the feat. With seven children of his own, Bunning noted that pitching on Father's Day could not have come at a more appropriate time. This perfect game was the first thrown by a National League pitcher since 1880 and the first regular-season perfect game since Charlie Robertson in 1922.

In Their Own Story

The 1964 season became legendary for its dramatic collapse, with Bunning as a central figure. The Phillies held a commanding lead in the National League for most of the season, but manager Gene Mauch used Bunning and Chris Short heavily down the stretch. As September wore on, both pitchers became visibly fatigued. Despite holding a 6½-game lead as late as September 21, the team lost 10 straight games to finish tied for second place. Before this collapse, Bunning had already made history; he was one of only seven pitchers ever to throw both a perfect game and an additional no-hitter. He also became the first pitcher to pitch a no-hitter, win 100 games, and record 1,000 strikeouts in both leagues. His slider was considered his best pitch, which he likened to the no-hitter he had pitched for Detroit six years prior. In June 1964, the month of his perfect game, Bunning won the NL Player of the Month Award with a 3–0 record and a 2.20 ERA.

Reader's Guide

Bunning's statistical profile during his Phillies tenure reflects elite consistency despite rare league-leading categories. He never led the league in ERA or Cy Young voting while with Philadelphia, though he came closest in 1967—his best year at age 35—when he finished second behind Mike McCormick. That season, he posted a career-best 2.29 ERA, led the league in shutouts (6), games started, innings pitched (302.1), and strikeouts (253). It was the only year he earned any Cy Young Award votes. Over his career, Bunning struck out three batters on nine pitches in an inning, becoming the fifth American League pitcher to accomplish an immaculate inning. He led the league in strikeouts three times total: 201 in 1959, 201 in 1960, and 253 in 1967. Although he never won a Cy Young Award, his 2,855 career strikeouts placed him second all-time at retirement behind Walter Johnson; he currently ranks 22nd. In 1996, Bunning was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee, and in 2001, the Phillies retired his uniform number #14.

Did You Know?

• Bunning is the only Major League Baseball athlete elected to both the United States Senate and the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
• He threw the seventh perfect game in history on Father's Day, June 21, 1964, against the New York Mets.
• Bunning became the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter, win 100 games, and record 1,000 strikeouts in both leagues.
• He is one of only seven pitchers to have thrown both a perfect game and an additional no-hitter.
• In the ninth inning of a loss on August 2, 1959, he struck out three batters on nine pitches, becoming the 10th pitcher in history to throw an immaculate inning.