James Augustus "Catfish" Hunter (April 8, 1946 – September 9, 1999), became the highest paid pitcher in baseball when he signed with the Yankees in 1975. He refused higher offers from the San Diego Padres and the Kansas City Royals to sign with them. He led the league in wins for the two years in a row, and also led the American league in innings pitched and complete games and became only the fourth American League pitcher to win 20 games in a season for five consecutive seasons.
The Yankees won three straight pennants with Hunter from 1976 to 1978. However, the years of arm strain and the effects of diabetes had begun to toll on the pitcher and in 1979, Hunter retired from baseball. James Augustus Hunter died at his home in 1999after he fell down the stairs at home. He had been suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease."
Here is Albert Castiglia singing about "Catfish" Hunter,the million dollar man,from his album These Are The Days from 2008. Now play ball !
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