20,000 “day-versary”: Jim Kaat goes pro

[John Bonnes]

Chris Jaffe at the Hardball Times has a story celebrating Jim Kaat's signing with the Washington Senators. It's at:

 

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_article/20000-day-versary-jim-kaat-goes-pro/

 

He spends a fair amount of it examining Kaat's candidacy for the Hall of Fame.

[Seth Stohs]

I always thought Kaat belonged in the Hall of Fame, and I will be happy when he does make it. But after reading his book, even he says that he isn't a Hall of Famer. Maybe he's just being humble, but it's a borderline case. That said, I think he's the best pitcher in Twins history. Some of the numbers he put up were amazing and he did it for so long. Santana had a better short-term few years, but Kaat is #1 on my Twins top pitchers list.

[Thrylos]

I think that Kaat is one of those pitchers who are in-between (like Blyleven also)... Lots of wins via longevity but no Cy Young awards, only 3 All Star appearances in 25 seasons and a career 4.9 K/9 do not make a Hall of Famer.

 

If you look at his numbers:

25 seasons 283-237, 3.45 ERA, 1.259 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 2.27 K/BB, 3 All Star appearances, lots of gold gloves, once placing in CY vote 4th. 3 20-win seasons.

Are extremely close to those of Tommy John.

26 seasons, 288-231, 3.34 ERA, 1.283 WHIP, 4.3 K/9, 1.78 K/BB, 4 All Star appearances, 4 times placing in Cy young vote twice second. 3 20-win seasons.

 

You cannot put Kaat in the Hall and leave TJ out...

[Seth Stohs]

To be fair, it's not like Blyleven's K-Rate was very high either. 6.6 or so, I believe.

[Seth Stohs]

There was a reason that SP were able to throw 250-320 innings a season. They didn't always try to get strikeouts.

[Thrylos]

To be fair, it's not like Blyleven's K-Rate was very high either. 6.6 or so, I believe.

Yeah Blyleven is close with Kaat and John. Here are his numbers:

22 seasons, 287-250, 3.31 ERA, 1.198 WHIP, 6.7 K/9, 2.8 K/BB, 2 All Star appearances, 4 ranked Cy Young votings. Best 3rd twice, one 20-win season

 

I never thought that he was a Hall of Famer either. If you have him in, hard to keep the other 2 out...