Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player, US Senator, US Congressman. A member of the Republican Party, he served the 4th Congressional District of the State of Kentucky in the United States House of Representatives from 1987 until 1999. He served the State of Kentucky in the United States Senate from 1999 until 2011. Born James Paul David Bunning, his father was the proprietor of a ladder-manufacturing business, Jim attended St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he made his initial mark in athletics, as he participated in football and basketball, followed later by baseball. Scouted by the Detroit Tigers, he was signed as an amateur free agent in 1950 and experienced his Minor League career, while attending Xavier University. For seventeen seasons (1955 to 1971), he was a pitcher with the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his Major League debut with Detroit on July 20, 1955 and pitched in 15 games that year. In 1957, he distinguished himself with his league-leading 20 wins and the following season (1958), he pitched a no-hit game against the Boston Red Sox on July 20, 1958, at Fenway Park. He was dealt in a multi-player transaction to the Philadelphia Phillies and on Father's Day, June 21, 1964, he earned a place in history a second-time, when he tossed a brilliant, no-hit, perfect game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium (The first game of a double-header). In a bit of irony, Bunning happened to be the father of nine children. Following brief stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers, he returned to Philadelphia. He received the distinction as being the first Phillies' starting pitcher for the opening of Veterans Stadium on April 10, 1971 and recorded the first win at that venue. In 591 career regular season games, he compiled a 224 win, 184 loss record, with a lifetime 3.27 ERA, in 3,760 innings pitched, with 2,855 strikeouts. During the course of his career, he achieved All-Star status seven-times, was league-leader in strike outs three-times, and topped the 15 win total eight-times, of which included 19 win seasons four-times, in addition to his 20 win year. Bunning held the distinction of recording 100 wins in each league. Following his retirement as a player, he served as a Minor League manager with the Phillies' organization from 1972 to 1976. Additionally, he worked as an investment broker and agent. He found an interest in the political arena of which resulted in his election to the Fort Thomas, Kentucky City Council in 1977, followed by his election to the Kentucky State Senate in 1979. During his tenures as both a Congressman and Senator, he took a Conservative approach in regards to issues. He served on the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Towards the end of his political career, Bunning drew criticism when he opposed the extension of unemployment benefits. He was elected by Baseball's Veterans Committee and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a Philadelphia Phillie in 1996. His uniform number was retired by the Phillies' following his Hall of Fame induction. He remained an active participant in Phillies' functions of which included their annual Alumni Weekends during the season. He suffered a severe stroke in October 2016 and never fully recovered.