Mickey Lolich and Catfish Hunter, 1972 ALCS

It's hard to believe, but it's already been 10 years since we lost Hall of Fame pitcher Jim 'Catfish' Hunter to Lou Gehrig's disease at the young age of 53.

The legendary righty died on 9/9/99 and it's appropriate that we're again remembering him on 9/9/09. After all, not only was Hunter the ninth pitcher in MLB history to throw a perfect game, but if you sum all three numbers, you get the No. 27 that he wore for both the A's and Yankees (not to mention the number of Twins he retired in a row on May 8, 1968).

Hunter is well known for his 224 career victories, five straight 20-win seasons, 1974 Cy Young award and being a key member of five World Series champions in six seasons, but he also holds a spot in baseball as one of it's biggest tall tales. To wit, the North Carolina native never spent a day in the minor leagues and became baseball's first free agent in 1975. He also owned one of baseball's greatest nicknames, threw 328 innings and 30 complete games in 1975, famously refused to pick a cap for his Hall of Fame plaque and was even the subject of a great Bob Dylan bootleg.

The humble Hunter was also one of the most photogenic ballplayers to ever take the field and to remember his place in the game, we present you with the following 10 photos from his Hall of Fame career. (Also, if you'd like to learn more about his ALS "Catfish Chapter" click here.)  

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If the Lolich and Hunter on a motorcycle pic didn't throw your for a loop, this picture of Satchel Paige and Catfish definitely will. (I have no idea, either.)

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A 22-year-old Hunter celebrates with teammates after his perfect game in 1968. 

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Standing an even six feet and weighing just under 200 pounds, the hairy Hunter looked like most men walking around during the '70s — which, of course, added to his charm. 

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Hunter feeds the meter before going to see his lawyer about his impending free agency in 1975. He ended up signing with the Yankees for a 5-year, $3.75 million contract. 

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Hunter and Reggie Jackson, 1978 World Series

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Hunter and Nolan Ryan, 1975

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Hunter, 1978

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Hunter accepts a birthday gift — a pack of chew, no joke — from a young fan. 

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Hunter speaks at his retirement ceremonies at Yankee Stadium in 1979, setting up a picture that would end up as a Big League Stew create-a-caption almost 30 years later. 

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Hunter in good spirits, 1999

Related: 10 random photos