The is the 1968 Topps baseball card, number 1 in the 1968 Topps set, featuring the National League Strikeout Leaders from 1967.
I had it signed by Jim Bunning in blue ballpoint pen shortly after it was opened. I have had it since it was new in the pack.
I am still disappointed over the Detroit Tigers' 1963 trade of Bunning to the Philadelphia Phillies, probably over Bunning's contract demands, independent nature, and the fact he didn't have a sterling 1963 season. He was far from finished...throwing a perfect game in 1964 for the Phils.
Bunning began his big league career with the Detroit Tigers, playing nine seasons for them. He won 20 games in 1957 and threw a no-hitter on July 20, 1958, against the Boston Red Sox. He was an All-Star five times with the Tigers.
After he was was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, he won 19 games in three of his four seasons with them. He earned two more All-Star Game appearances as a National Leaguer. He threw his perfect game on June 21, 1964.
He later played briefly with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers before ending his career back with the Phillies.
In addition to throwing a no-hitter in both leagues, Bunning was the second pitcher in history (Cy Young was the first) to record 1,000 strikeouts and 100 wins in both the American League and the National League. When he retired in 1971, Bunning was second on the all time strikeout list to Walter Johnson.
After his playing career, Bunning managed the Reading Phillies (1972), Eugene Emeralds (1973), Toledo Mud Hens (1974-1975) and Oklahoma City 89ers (1976).
Bunning then returned to his home state of Kentucky and entered politics. He served on the City Council of Fort Thomas, Kentucky from 1977 to 1979 and was elected to the Kentucky State Senate in 1979. After serving for four years, he moved on to the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 1999. In 1999, he was elected to the United States Senate, and he won reelection in 2005. In 2009, Bunning announced he would not seek a third term.
Bunning is one of three Baseball Hall of Famers to serve in Congress, the others being former Commissioner Happy Chandler and Morgan Bulkeley. Bunning is the only former player to do so.
