On the way I did a rough draft of the contract and he signed the draft three hours later. [2], In 1990, Hunter was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. Andruw Jones Hall of Fame Classic Home Run Derby Autographed bat, Bob Feller Signing Contract with Hank Greenberg photograph, Babe Ruth and Jacob Ruppert at Contract Signing photograph, Philadelphia Phillies versus San Diego Padres scorecard, Chicago Cubs versus New York Yankees scorecard. Hunter had arm troubles in New York and was diagnosed with diabetes, and he only occasionally looked like the pitcher who had gone 88-35 over his final four seasons with the As. Hunter was the last major league pitcher to throw 30 complete games in a season. [41] An annual softball event is held in Hertford in memory of Hunter. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. The race was on. When you play with guys like that, you feel blessed."[42]. When Miller and MLB Players Association counsel Dick Moss read the contract, they agreed with Hunters interpretation and sent written notice to Finley about the violation. In that moment, Hunter -- one of the great pitchers of his time -- became baseballs first free agent. Jim (Catfish) Hunter signed a fiveyear contract estimated at $3.75million with the New York Yankees last night, ending the most celebrated bidding war in American sports history. An arbitration hearing took place on Nov. 26 in New York. So Yankees team president Gabe Paul was the point man in the negotiations. That was a bunch of bull, because Charlie knows everything thats going on in this club. In the midst of the mayhem, the phone rang. Hunter continued to win games, and in 1974 received both The Sporting News's "Pitcher of the Year" award and the American League Cy Young Award after going 2512 with a league-leading 2.49 earned run average. He exemplified class and dignity and he taught us how to win. May 13, 1965 After Finley refused to make payment on the annuity after discovering he had to pay $25,000 in taxes which was due immediately, the breach of contract dispute was brought before an arbitration hearing on November 26, 1974. That was moment that George Steinbrenner became relevant to baseballs landscape, and that Charles O. Finley became an afterthought. [2], Hunter died at his home in Hertford in 1999 at age 53, a year after his ALS diagnosis. In 1975, pitchers Dave McNally and Andy Messersmith played without contracts. Ring in the new. but the Kansas City Athletics signed Catfish Hunter to a contract. CONTRACT NO. Kluttz, who never earned more than $10,000 as a major league catcher, is a hunting companion of the pitcher in the offseason in North Carolina where both live. For the first time since the 1870s, a major league player was free to offer his services to the highest bidder. That is exactly how Cherry wrote the addendum: $50,000 per year, to be paid at regular intervals through the season, and $50,000 disbursed to an entity of Hunters choosing. Paul was vibrant when he called Flythe back. I was in my office for half a day and I was wearing a sweat shirt, related Greenwald, a leading tax attorney. The images, titles, and descriptions are products of their time. News. Matt Kelly was the communications specialist at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The total. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. . Kluttz talked about the rabid fan base and increased opportunities in the countrys largest media market. The benefit to Finley was that he got to hold on to the money in the interim, earning interest on it all the while. Catfish Hunter wins 1974 AL Cy Young Award - Baseball Hall of Fame I told him, I don't want it that way. According to the union, Hunter could proclaim himself a free agent as of Sept. 26, but he did not want to distract from Oaklands playoff push. The money Hunter made when he signed that night at the Yankees old offices in the Parks Administration Building (in Flushing, Queens, of all places) seems quaint in comparison to the money modern free agents now make. Just a few months later, however, the Owner purchased the Memphis Pros of the American Basketball Association, supplementing the hockey team he had already acquired, the NHLs California Golden Seals. Pen has two white stripes running down the length of the pen, one on each side. Bio/Historical Note Pen used by Jim "Catfish" Hunter to sign a five-year contract estimated at $3.75 million with the New York Yankees on December 31, 1974. The Yankees' free agent pitcher trail: Catfish to Cole After the designated hitter was adopted by the American League in 1973, Hunter had only two plate appearances in his final seven seasons, with one base hit in 1973. When the 1974 season opened, Finley made the standard payments every two weeks as agreed. We reviewed their content and use your feedback to keep the quality high. Catfish Hunter signs free agent contract with New York Yankees But the document in question was the only contract Hunter had. Catfish Hunter, Who Pitched in 6 World Series for A's and Yankees, Dies Recouping his loan to Hunter was among the Owners quickest paths to solvency. There was only one caveat, Hunter said. He led the league in wins (23) for the second year in a row, and also led the league in innings pitched (328) and complete games (30) to finish second to Jim Palmer of the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Cy Young balloting. Finley gave Hunter the nickname "Catfish" in 1965 because he thought his 19-year-old pitcher needed a flashy nickname. Catfish Hunter Contract pen. Catfish Hunter joined the Yankees in 1975 after a contract breach made him a free agent following 10 seasons with the Athletics, including three as a teammate with Dave Hamilton (right). One last time, Hunter was freed up in a different way. After a bidding war that included nearly every MLB team, the Yankees and Catfish Hunter ink a five-year/$3.75 million contract. If we win in the courts and the Yankees have played him prior to our winning, the Yankees certainly will be in for tremendous damages.. Youll be dead. It was not a good joke, and it continued to sour Hunter even after the Royals added $30,000 per year for the rest of Helen Hunters life as well. Andruw Jones Hall of Fame Classic Home Run Derby Autographed bat, Bob Feller Signing Contract with Hank Greenberg photograph, Babe Ruth and Jacob Ruppert at Contract Signing photograph, Philadelphia Phillies versus San Diego Padres scorecard, Chicago Cubs versus New York Yankees scorecard. But a free agent of Hunter's experience and status was unheard of. On Oct. 10, two days before the World Series was to start, Jerome Holtzman wrote a story about Hunters contract in the Chicago Sun-Times, based on a report he received from one of Hunters confidantsformer teammate Mike Hershbergerwhich included this bombshell: the best pitcher on the best team in the league was attempting to jump ship. To be a Yankee is a thought in everyones head and mine, Hunter said. Pittsburgh offered $3.75 million for five years, plus, among other perks, limited partnership in five new Wal-Mart stores. Jim "Catfish" Hunter holds Yankee emblem after signing multi-million dollar contract. Hed always wanted to earn six figures, and when Finley made the offer it seemed just fine. Tenace spent the ensuing days humming If I Were a Rich Man around the clubhouse. National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. In 1966 and 1967, he was named to the American League All-Star team. Can I live in New York City? Phone: 602.496.1460 Hunter listened, and never spent a day in the minors. They might not rank with the trade for a Babe Ruth, but they'll do for their present needs. An arbitration ruling had to possess serious discrepancies to be overturnedcapricious, arbitrary or dishonest conduct was how Kuhn described it, even as he noted that none of the above factored into Seitzs decision. In the Marvel Comics' Tomb of Dracula #51 (December 1976, page 26), the narrative written by Marv Wolfman states that "Dracula throws Blade through a window with the ease of Catfish Hunter throwing a fastball. Starting with Catfish Hunter's landmark contract for the 1975 season, let's go back and find the pitchers who set the marks for highest total value contract. Catfish Hunter was also a competent hitter, with a career batting average of .226; in 1971 he hit .350 with 36 hits in 38 games. In 2004, the Oakland Athletics began the Catfish Hunter Award. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Charlie said, Here's the money, Hunter recalled. For more information or access to a high resolution reproduction (some fees may apply), contact: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Giamatti Research Center, research@baseballhall.org, 607-547-0330. 30 Facts About Catfish Hunter | FactSnippet. During his first season with the team, hewent home with 23wins. Catfish Hunter: America's 1st free agent - Bronx Pinstripes On the morning of the last day of the year Hunter drove to Ahoskie prepared to finalize a deal. The most recent challenge to the reserve clause, made by St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood, had been denied by the U.S. Supreme Court two years before. Keep up with headlines and events at the Baseball Hall of Fame, and see who will be taking their place in history next. That was where the old scout shot the final arrow in his quiver. September 17, 1979 Hunter has been the subject of numerous popular culture references, including the Bob Dylan song "Catfish". Catfish Hunter signs free agent contract with New York Yankees Select from premium Catfish Hunter of the highest quality. Shortly after 7:00 p.m. Paul had a staffer schedule a news conference for 8:15. Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database. So the Yankees beat out the Pirates, Dodgers, Padres, Royals, Expos and Cleveland for Hunters services. If it was not valid, that meant Catfish had been pitching contract-free, which would make him a free agent. Jim "Catfish" Hunter holds Yankee emblem after signing multi-million dollar contract. The Jim "Catfish" Hunter Memorial is located in Hertford. Even less palatable for Finley was the discovery that about $25,000 in taxes was due immediately, and he would be the one paying them. Object numberB-1975-0563 From that point on, every deal Hunter made with Finley was extensively documented, with signatures from each party in all the appropriate places. 071B6200168 between THE STATE OF MICHIGAN and NAME & ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR / VENDOR VENDOR TELEPHONE CLIENT NETWORK SERVICES, INC. (CNSI) (301) 634-4600 702 King Farm Boulevard, 2nd Floor Rockville, MD 20850 Mr. B. Chatterjee, President [chatterjee@cns-inc.com](or) BUYER/CA Dale Reif Mr. Jaytee Kanwal, Chief Financial Officer (or) . Finley was on the hook for the outstanding $50,000, plus interest, for Hunters services in 1974, and because he had not fulfilled the players contract, it was theretofore terminated. It's 10 pages long in my handwriting and I'm the only one who can read my writing., As Hunter sat calmly behind a desk in a blue longsleeved sport shirt, blue and black checked slacks and a blue Yankee cap, Paul, his new boss, explained that as late as 8 o'clock there were some areas [in the agreement] that could've killed the whole thing.. Jim "Catfish" Hunter, the Hall of Fame pitcher who ushered in baseball's era of big bucks for free agents, died today at age 53 after battling the disease named after another New York Yankees. Pen has two white stripes running down the length of the pen, one on each side. Only a portion of NBHFM's collection is currently online and the information presented here is subject to updates and additions based on research and imaging activities. The following winter, Seitz declared them to be free agents, effectively ending the reserve clause and bringing about the first free agent player draft on Nov 4, 1976.