Jim was signed by the Washington Senators as an amateur free agent in 1957 and moved west with the team in 1961 when they became the Minnesota Twins. He was a member of the 1965 Twins team that won the American League pennant. In the '65 series vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers, he started three games and matched up against Sandy Koufax on all three occasions, including a complete game victory in Game 2. His best season came in 1966, when he won a league leading 25 games. He finished 5th in the MVP voting and was named the AL Pitcher of the Year by The Sporting News. Jim was a three time All-Star (1962, 1966, 1975) and won a record 16 consecutive gold gloves (1962-1977). In 1982 he won his only World Series Championship ring with the St. Louis Cardinals, working in four games out of the bullpen. At his retirement, Jim's 25 year career in the Major Leagues was the longest of any pitcher in baseball history, and he is now third behind Nolan Ryan (27) and Tommy John (26). He continues to be the Twins all-time leader in career wins with 189 victories. For his career he was 283-237 with 2,461 strikeouts and an impressive ERA of 3.45. After retiring as a player, Jim was the Reds pitching coach in 1986 and worked several seasons as a TV announcer for the New York Yankees.

Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Born: November 7, 1938—Zeeland, Michigan
Major League Teams:
Washington Senators (1959-1960)
Minnesota Twins (1961-1973)
Chicago White Sox (1973-1975)
Philadelphia Phillies (1976-1979)
New York Yankees (1979-1980)
St. Louis Cardinals (1980-1983)