Hall of Famer and former U.S. Senator Jim Bunning has passed away, the Phillies have announced. He was 85.
Bunning's son David added this on Twitter:
Heaven got its No 1 starter today. Our lives & the nation are better off because of your love & dedication to family. pic.twitter.com/qkCjHIM32E
— David Bunning (@horstmuhlmann) May 27, 2017
"Jim was an incredible competitor and was determined to maximize his ability and make the most of everything he did in life," said Phillies chairman David Montgomery in a statement. "He clearly succeeded in doing so. Jim and his wife Mary remained close members of the Phillies family, attending our Alumni Weekend festivities whenever they were able to be in Philadelphia. We were so honored to have had Jim and Mary here for what would be his last Alumni Weekend in 2016. The Bunning family has lost a very special patriarch, and we at the Phillies have lost a very special friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary and the entire family at this difficult time."
Bunning pitched 17 seasons in the big leagues from 1955-71. He spent most of his career with the Tigers, though he also pitched for the Phillies, Pirates, and Dodgers. Bunning went 224-184 with a 3.27 ERA in his career, and was voted into the Hall of Fame by the Veteran's Committee in 1996.
We mourn the passing of Jim Bunning, a Hall of Fame pitcher and former U.S. Senator. He was 85. pic.twitter.com/NVTdhQuYmr
— MLB (@MLB) May 27, 2017
On June 21, 1964, Bunning threw the seventh perfect game in baseball history. He was with the Phillies at the time. Here are the final three outs:
In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Bunning also played a key role in the rise of the MLB Players Association. He was part of the committee that hired Marvin Miller as the union's first chief. Current MLBPA chief Tony Clark released the following statement regarding Bunning's death:
Statement of #MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark on the passing of Jim Bunning, a founding father of modern MLBPA & @baseballhall member. pic.twitter.com/XORsK131La
— #MLBPA (@MLB_PLAYERS) May 27, 2017
Following his playing career, Bunning returned home to Kentucky and got into politics. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987-99, and served two terms as a U.S. Senator from 1999-2010.
"Senator Jim Bunning led a long and storied life," said U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell said in a statement. "From his days in the major leagues to his years as my colleague in the Senate -- and the many points in between, from the City Council to the House of Representatives -- Jim rarely shied away from a new adventure. This Hall of Famer will long be remembered for many things, including a perfect game, a larger-than-life personality, a passion for Kentucky, and a loving family. Elaine and I offer our sincere condolences to Mary and the entire Bunning family."
Bunning suffered a stroke in October.