A’s unveil Catfish Hunter Gate at the Coliseum

Hall of Fame pitcher Catfish Hunter is shown in this 1973 photo in an Oakland A's uniform. Hunter, the Hall of Fame pitcher who ushered in baseball's era of big bucks for free agents, died at age 53 after battling the disease named after another New York Yankees great, Lou Gehrig. In a continued effort to celebrate the franchise’s rich history, the A’s on Saturday morning named the Coliseum’s Gate C after Jim “Catfish” Hunter. less Hall of Fame pitcher Catfish Hunter is shown in this 1973 photo in an Oakland A's uniform. Hunter, the Hall of Fame pitcher who ushered in baseball's era of big bucks for free agents, died at age 53 after ... more Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close A’s unveil Catfish Hunter Gate at the Coliseum 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

In a continued effort to celebrate the franchise’s rich history, the A’s on Saturday morning named the Coliseum’s Gate C after Jim “Catfish” Hunter.

The pregame ceremony was the latest among the A’s creative ideas to embrace their past, including naming the field after Rickey Henderson in April and adding a light-up “Holy Toledo” sign to pay homage to broadcaster Bill King last month.

Joe Rudi and Vida Blue, who played with Hunter on the A’s teams that won three straight World Series crowns from 1972-74, pulled two large green curtains away to unveil a banner honoring Hunter above the gate.

Recommended Video:

Inside the gate’s tunnel, there’s a panoramic ode to the Hall of Fame pitcher, featuring photos of his 1968 perfect game, five championships, eight All-Star appearances and his 1974 Cy Young award.

“He was a very unassuming man, but he was just a great guy,” Blue said. “From the first time I met him to the last time I saw him, he was a mellow, humble guy. It’s a pretty unique to find a person who is so into his family and his teammates.

“Reggie (Jackson) got the headlines, but Catfish was our guy.”

Members of Hunter’s family, Blue and Rudi were joined at the ceremony by former teammates Bert Campaneris, Ray Fosse, Darold Knowles, John “Blue Moon” Odom and Gene Tenace. A’s president Dave Kaval said Hunter will also be honored in some fashion when the team constructs a new ballpark.