(Updated Aug. 29, 2018)
Jim Kaat earned 283 major-league wins, won 16 Gold Glove awards and pitched for the Cardinals’ 1982 World Series championship team.
On Dec. 2, 2011, I interviewed Kaat by email. He was gracious with his time and thoughtful with his answers _ a Hall of Fame-quality person in every way.
Because the interview was for this Cardinals history blog, all the questions were about the Cardinals. The interview is presented here, in its entirety:
Q: It’s ironic you and your first Cardinals manager, Ken Boyer, are on the Golden Era ballot together as candidates for election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. What are your recollections of Ken Boyer?
Jim Kaat: I always respected Kenny. He was a quiet leader as a manager. He was easy to please and easy to play for.
Q: Ted Simmons was the catcher when you joined St. Louis in 1980. You and Simmons have well-earned reputations for being smart and innovative thinkers. How did you get along with Ted Simmons?
Jim Kaat: Teddy and I became close as batterymates. I enjoyed pitching to him and being his friend and teammate.
Q: Your first win for the Cardinals was a 10-inning shutout against the Mets in New York on June 4, 1980. You had been pitching primarily in relief until then that year. What do you recall about pitching such a gem at 41 years old? Boxscore
Jim Kaat: (The manager) kept asking me from the fifth inning on, “Are you ok?” I said I felt fine. I was getting the hitters out, so let me keep going. It was quite a surprise. I hadn’t started much for a couple of years. (Note: Until then, Kaat had made just one start in 1980 and two starts in 1979).
Q: You were the starting pitcher in Whitey Herzog’s first game as Cardinals manager (June 9, 1980, at Atlanta). What do you recall about Herzog’s arrival and what he said to you and the team that day? Boxscore
Jim Kaat: I honestly don’t recall much except it was something like, “We are out of the pennant race but give me everything you’ve got so I can evaluate where you will fit in next year.”
Q: Bob Forsch was a classy Cardinal whose recent passing saddened many. What are your recollections of Bob Forsch?
Jim Kaat: He was a durable pitcher. Quiet, but a tough competitor. He had a wry sense of humor and was fun to be around. A great teammate.
Q: Besides the obvious talents in players such as Bruce Sutter, Ozzie Smith and Keith Hernandez, what were the intangible qualities that made the 1982 Cardinals a World Series championship club?
Jim Kaat: Selfless players. They were all team-first guys. It’s the most close-knit team I ever played on (in 25 big-league seasons). They broke us up too soon.
Q: As someone who is a successful player as well as a successful broadcaster, could you please share your impressions of longtime Cardinals broadcasters Mike Shannon and the late Jack Buck?
Jim Kaat: Both are legendary broadcasters. Jack, on a national scale. Mike is to St. Louis what Scooter (Phil Rizzuto) was to New York and what Richie Ashburn was to Philadelphia. He’s a genuine guy with a big heart.
Q: How does Albert Pujols compare with all of the great players you have seen?
Jim Kaat: He has to be right at the top with all the all-time greats for doing what he has done over a decade.
Q: Lastly, as a former Cardinal and as a baseball fan, what are your observations about the 2011 Cardinals’ historic late-season surge and dramatic post-season run to a World Series title?
Jim Kaat: I’m happy for them. It was not the greatest quality of play by either (World Series) team, but it was very exciting. It’s always good to see the Cardinals fans get rewarded. It’s the best baseball town in America.
Previously: How Jim Kaat revived both his career and the Cardinals
The Cardinals bought Kaat’s contract from the Yankees on April 30, 1980.
RetroSimba 