James Augustus Hunter is a native from New Orleans, born in 1946. Later, he became known as the Catfish Hunter. He played both football and baseball while in high school. During his senior year, he had a hunting accident and lost one toe. This accident worried the would be baseball star. Catfish Hunter felt that he could not have a successful career. However, he became one of the leading sports stars of his time. Still, he went on to pitch for an MLB team. On May 22, 1968, Hunter pitched a perfect game. He began his career with the Kansas City A’s in 1965 and it ended in 1979 with the New York Yankees. Catfish Hunter died in 1999 from Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 53 years old.
The Lou Gehrig’s Disease was diagnosed one year before he died. In the last few years of Catfish Hunter’s life, he could barely throw a baseball. He was unconscious for a time when he hit his head on a step. Catfish Hunter was released from the hospital in good condition. Along with the Lou Gehrig’s Disease, he was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This left him taking insulin injects 3 times a day.
