Former Yankees: Five players you forgot were Yankees

#2: LHP Jim Kaat (1979-80)

Most people remember Jim Kaat as a broadcaster covering Yankee games over the course of many years. However, it’s easy to forget that the three-time All-Star and 16-time Gold Glove winner pitched two years for the Bronx Bombers.

Kaat began his major league career in 1959 for the Washington Senators at the age of 20. It ended in July of 1983 at the age of 44. Over those four different decades of baseball, Kaat amassed 283 victories, struck out nearly 2500 batters, and pitched more than 4500 innings.  He also won 16 Gold Gloves on the mound and was a three-time All-Star. In fact, his 283 victories are the third-most of any pitcher in the modern era (since the start of 1900) not to make the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Only Roger Clemens (354) and Tommy John (288) have more.

Kaat joined the Yankees during the 1979 season and spent parts of two seasons with the club. He was mostly used as a reliever with 43 of his 44 appearances coming out of the bullpen. Kaat recorded two victories and posted a 4.12 ERA in 63.1 innings. His best performance as a Yankee came on July 22, 1979, against the Mariners in the Bronx. Kaat appeared in relief of Yankees starter Don Hood and fired 4.2 hitless innings. He recorded the victory in a 4-0 win.

Also, as a side note, here’s a fun fact about Kaat.  Because he pitched in four different decades, the Michigan native faced a wide variety of major league hitters.  For example, he pitched against Mickey Mantle, who began his MLB career in 1951. Mantle hit .286 (20 hits in 70 at-bats) with seven homers vs. the right-hander. Kaat also faced Darryl Strawberry, who ended his career in 1999 with the Yankees. Strawberry had one hit in four at-bats against Kaat.