Jim Bunning, Hall of Fame pitcher, U.S. senator, at 85

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Former U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, a Hall of Fame pitcher who parlayed his sports fame into a political career as an uncompromising advocate for conservative causes, has died. He was 85.

Mr. Bunning’s family said the ex-senator and baseball great died late Friday of complications from a stroke suffered last October. Mr. Bunning was the patriarch of a large family that included his wife, Mary, and their nine children, 35 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

“The family is deeply grateful for the love and prayers of Jim’s friends and supporters,” his family said in a statement. “While he was a public servant with a Hall of Fame career, his legacy to us is that of a beloved husband, caring father and supportive grandfather.”

Mr. Bunning won 224 games in a workmanlike 17-year major league career, mostly with the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. The big right-hander, known for his intimidating mound presence, pitched the first perfect game in modern National League history and became the first pitcher after 1900 to throw no-hitters in both the American and National leagues.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Saturday that Mr. Bunning “led an extraordinary life in the national pastime and in public service.”

Mr. Bunning’s success in baseball carried over into politics, as the Kentucky Republican served stints on a city council and in the state Senate before a nearly quarter-century career in Congress.

Mr. Bunning served 12 years in the U.S. House, followed by two terms in the Senate. He was a fierce protector of state interests such as tobacco, coal and its military bases.

Republican Rand Paul rode a tea party wave to win Mr. Bunning’s seat in 2010.