"They call Jim Bouton 'Bulldog' because of the way he battles you out on the mound. A tough competitor from first pitch to last, he was the Yanks' top winner for the second year in a row, with an 18-13 mark. He also was the staff workhorse with 271 innings pitched and 11 complete games. In '63, his sophomore year in the AL, he was 21-7. He worked his way up to the big club in just three years, passing through such way stations as Auburn, Kearney, Greensboro and Amarillo. Jim relies on a good fastball and an overhand curve which falls almost as far as his cap does when he has something on it. A new changeup this past season added to his overall effectiveness."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1965
"Although he led the Yankees in wins with 18 and in innings pitched with 271, last year was not Jim Bouton's best in the American League. The personable right-hander did not match his 1963 win or strikeout totals or his earned run average, but his value to the club was underscored by the fact Jim led the league in starting assignments with 37 and pitched 11 complete games.
But statistics alone do not tell the Bouton story. The hard-throwing right-hander has earned the nickname 'Bulldog' for his determination on the mound. When he's working, you know you're going to see a Yankee battle for victory.
After a quick development period in the minors, the New Jersey native made the jump from AA ball to the Yankees in 1962, winning his first starting assignment with a 7-0 shutout win over Washington. That same freshman season also gave Jim one of his biggest thrills. He was the winning pitcher in the longest game (in point of time) ever played in the American League - seven hours, 22 innings.
A versatile young man, Bouton dabbles in oil painting, watercolors, designing jewelry and entertaining. Though he may give the impression of being a comedian, American League hitters don't see the joke when Jim is pitching."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"Hard-throwing Jim Bouton enters his fourth season in Yankee regalia in 1965, regarded as one of the better right-handers performing in the American League today.
Bouton, who entered the Bomber organization on November 11, 1958, enjoyed a fine year in 1964 as he compiled an 18-13 mark with a 3.02 earned run average. Besides leading the loop in most times knocking his own cap off during his delivery, Bouton scored two victories over the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.
After spending three seasons in the minors prepping for big-time duty, Jim came up to the Yanks in 1962. Used principally in relief, he finished with a 7-7 log and a 3.99 ERA. Jim really came into his own as a sophomore in 1963, though, as he compiled a 21-7 won-lost mark, not to mention a sparkling 2.53 ERA, lowest on the club.
One of Bouton's biggest thrills of '63 was his hurling of the pennant-clincher on September 13 at Minnesota. Another was his feat of pitching a seven-hit shutout in his first major league start, as he defeated Washington, 8-0, on May 6, 1962.
Bouton will also be remembered as the winner of the longest game, by time, in American League history, the 22-inning fray, lasting seven hours. The final score saw the Yankees on top by 9-7 at Detroit on June 24, 1962.
Jim, who was born in Newark, New Jersey, but who now resides in Ridgewood, New Jersey with his wife and young son, enjoys painting in watercolors and oils. The popular right-hander has also taken up designing costume jewelry, which intrigued his spouse so much that she decided to take it up as a hobby also.
There seems to be no question that Jim is the Yankees' right-handed ace and figures to remain so for many years to come. He's a willing and able worker as witness his having led the club's moundsmen in games started (37), victories (18), and innings pitched (217) in '64.
They don't call him 'Bulldog' for nothing."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, November 11, 1958.
Pitched 7-hit shutout in first major league start, winning 8-0 over Washington, May 6, 1962.
Winning pitcher of longest game in American League (7 hours, 22 innings), final score 9-7, at Detroit, June 24, 1962.
Won pennant-clinching game for Yankees in 1963, September 13 at Minnesota.
21-game winner for Yankees in 1963, his second season in major leagues ... combined with Whitey Ford to give Yankees two 20-game winners in one year, first time since 1951 when Eddie Lopat was 21-9 and Vic Raschi was 21-10.
Second in the American League in shutouts (6), 1963.
Had lowest ERA on the Yankee staff (2.53), 1963.
Led American League in games started (37), 1964.
Led Yankees in wins (18),1964.
Led Yankees in innings pitched (271), 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
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