Predominantly a starting pitcher throughout his 25-year career, Jim Kaat’s time in the Majors spanned four decades and seven presidential administrations. In 1966 with the Minnesota Twins, Kaat won a league-leading 25 games, earned The Sporting News’ American League Pitcher of the Year honors and finished second in the Cy Young Award race to Sandy Koufax.

He also eclipsed the twenty-win plateau in 1974 and 1975 as a member of the Chicago White Sox and finished his career with 283 wins, the eighth-highest total among left-handed pitchers all-time.

Kaat also earned a record 16 consecutive Gold Glove awards from 1962-1977. Also a three-time All-Star, he played in the 1965 World Series with the Twins, then earned a championship ring pitching out of the St. Louis Cardinals’ bullpen eighteen years later in 1982.

Following his playing career, Kaat spent two seasons as the Cincinnati Reds pitching coach under manager Pete Rose before transitioning into a broadcasting career that included stops at Good Morning America, NBC, CBS, ESPN, the YES Network and most recently MLB Network, where he provides stellar color commentary alongside Bob Costas.

Kaat has enjoyed success in the broadcast booth, taking home seven Emmy Awards between 1997 and 2005 for excellence in sports broadcasting.