Hall of Famer Jim Kaat 'walks away' from broadcasting

After spending part of eight decades in baseball, Hall of Famer Jim Kaat has stepped away from the game.

Kaat, who refused to call it a retirement, called his last game as a broadcaster for MLB Network last week, after nearly a quarter century in the booth, following his 25-year career as a pitcher which landed him in the Hall of Fame this year.

"I was only under contract to do five games this year because of all of the Hall of Fame stuff and the Cardinals World Series reunion. I started thinking about it and realized I am a stranger in the clubhouse. They don't know I played, which doesn't bother me from an ego standpoint, but I can't sit down and talk with players about the game the same way any more," Kaat said. "I never used the word retire, I just wanted to walk away."

The Zeeland native has called games for the Twins and Yankees and has been a part of national crews, including his latest stint as partner to Bob Costas on MLB Network. His final game was fittingly at Yankee Stadium, where he earned an Emmy Award for broadcasting.

"I am 83 and I have a lot of travel and it just wasn't as enjoyable as it used to be," Kaat said. "Bob Costas wanted me to do one more game, so they paid a little tribute to me. The Yankees put my picture up in the fifth inning and the fans and the guys in the dugouts (saluted me). It was really special."

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Kaat started his broadcasting career after his playing career and a couple of years as the Reds pitching coach. He has covered numerous playoff and World Series games, David Wells' perfect game, Derek Jeter's final game and a plethora of other big moments in the game.

Some stick out more than others.

"Being the sideline reporter when the Twins beat the Braves in 1991 was exciting. You have to be objective, but it was so much fun seeing that crowd and atmosphere. That Game 7 with John Smoltz and Jack Morris was great," Kaat said. "Doing Jeter's last game was really great after covering the Yankees for so long. That definiely stood out."

Kaat was a member of the YES Network during the most recent Yankees dynasty, covering Jeter, Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte and Paul O'Neil on a daily basis. They won four titles in five years and six pennants in seven years.

"Every Yankee game there was an urgency. I never took it for granted getting to go every day and see a team like that. The 1998 team was the best in recent decades," Kaat said.

Filled with great players, like his fellow Hall of Famers Jeter and Rivera. Kaat joined them in Cooperstown this year after being elected by the Golden Era Committee in December.

After a 30-plus year wait from the first time he was on the ballot for the first time, and the anticipation of the induction weekend, Kaat said it has finally sunk in that he is a Hall of Famer.

"Once I finished my speech, and I was glad they asked me to be the leadoff hitter (I don't think I was that amped up since Game 7 of the 1965 World Series), it was a relief. I just got to enjoy the other speeches and the dinner that Sunday night with just the Hall of Famers, you realize what a special fraternity it is," Kaat said. "I was constanlty grateful of the position I was in when I looked around the room."

Kaat also had his number retired by the Minnesota Twins this summer and was part of the 40-year reunion of the St. Louis Cardinals World Series winning team in 1982.

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The celebrations continued as Kaat returned to Zeeland and Holland, giving him a chance to celebrate with family in West Michigan.

"My sister had a reception for me in Holland," Kaat said. "She is 95 and wasn't able to come to Cooperstown. It was my final reception on the Hall of Fame tour. I had friends and family," Kaat said. "I think in reflecting on it now, what I have appreciated is the Hall of Fame and number retirement provided a number of my friends and family get together and share the joy. If I went through this alone, it would not be nearly as special.

"The game has given me a lot more than I have given it."

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Hall of Famer Jim Kaat 'walks away' from broadcasting