Final Card Friday: 1983 Jim Kaat

A few weeks ago, John Asalon had a very special guest on an episode of This Week in APBA: Jim Kaat. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed Kaat as a broadcaster. I think he brings intelligent insights to his viewers and listeners. It’s possible his success as a broadcaster could one day earn him the Ford C. Frick Award and a place in Cooperstown. His success as a Big League pitcher for 25 seasons could also get him a plaque at the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, no Veterans committee has bestowed that honor on him to date.

Living in West Michigan, I’m aware the Jim Kaat grew up in Zeeland, Michigan. Zeeland is about a 40 minute drive from Grand Rapids, where I live. Kaat attended and played for Hope College , which is currently a NCAA Division III program. Hope College is located in Holland, Michigan, which is right next door to Zeeland. During recent baseball seasons, I normally receive umpiring assignments at Hope College, and I frequently think about the fact the Jim Kaat played at the school. Jim was signed by the Washington Senators in 1957 as a amateur free agent and spent two seasons in the minor leagues. In 1959, the 20-year old Kaat made his Big League debut with the Washington Senators.

From 1959 to 1983, Kaat and compiled a 283-237 record. He had a lifetime 3.45 ERA, while pitching 4,530 innings and striking out 2,461 batters. Those numbers are all better than recent Hall of Fame inductee, Jack Morris (254-186 3,824 IP, 2,478 SO, 3.90 ERA). Also, other than strikeouts, Kaat’s numbers are comparable to Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven (284-250 4,970 IP, 3,701 SO, 3.31 ERA).

Jim Kaat was a three-time All-Star and sixteen-time Gold Glove Award winner, second only to Greg Maddux’s eighteen. To be frank, Kaat was one of the best defensive pitchers in baseball history. Plus, he was an good hitter, for a pitcher, smacking sixteen career home runs.

1966 was Kaat’s best season when he led the American League with 25 wins, 41 games started, 19 complete games, and 304 innings pitched. Jim even managed to hit two homers that year. However, he didn’t win the Cy Young Award. Remember, in 1966, there was just one Cy Young Award for both leagues, so the honor went to Sandy Koufax.

Jim Kaat’s final APBA card is as a relief pitcher. After spending the first twenty years of his career as a starter, Kaat moved to the bullpen to prolong his career. Most teams can find room for a veteran lefty, and the Phillies, Yankees, and Cardinals of the late 70s and early 80s were no different. Kaat’s move allowed him to win an elusive World Series Championship with St. Louis in 1982. After making 66 appearances during the regular season, Kaat pitched in four of the seven games of the 1982 fall classic. In 1983, Kaat returned for his age 44 year, but only manged to make just 24 appearances. He did manage to have a respectable 3.89 ERA, which earned him a C* rating from APBA. Also, he maintained his usual control, and received a (Z) for his lack of base on balls.

If Jim Kaat could have avoided some injuries or not played through two player strikes or remained a starting pitcher for another season or two, he might have reached 300 career wins. If so, he would be in the Hall of Fame. If you doubt me, just ask Don Sutton what 300 career wins does for your case for Cooperstown. However, Kaat came up just short, and honestly probably is just short of a Hall of Fame pitcher. Granted, there are pitchers currently enshrined who are very comparable to Kaat, but that’s not a good reason to make a fringe Hall of Famer a baseball immortal. However, if the day ever comes that a veterans committee enshrines Jim Kaat, I won’t have a problem with it. But as for now, I think his being outside the Hall is an accurate assessment of his career.