Jim Kaat vs Gaylord Perry: Career Stats Comparison
Gaylord Perry has the better career line of the two, leading 7 of the 8 scored categories on this page (8 further counting totals are shown but not scored). Jim Kaat played 1959–1983 as a pitcher; Gaylord Perry played 1962–1983 as a pitcher.
- ERA (Earned Run Average):
- Earned runs allowed per nine innings pitched: (ER × 9) ÷ IP. The primary measure of pitching effectiveness.
- W (Wins):
- Games credited to a pitcher whose team took a lead it never surrendered while he was the pitcher of record.
- SO (Strikeouts):
- For a batter, times retired on a third strike; for a pitcher, batters retired on a third strike.
- WHIP (Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched):
- Baserunners allowed per inning: (BB + H) ÷ IP. Under 1.00 is elite.
Data updated
Jim Kaat (1959–1983) and Gaylord Perry (1962–1983) — they debuted in the 1950s and the 1960s respectively and share 22 seasons. Jim Kaat finished with 283 wins and 2,461 strikeouts; Gaylord Perry finished with 314 wins and 3,534 strikeouts. The table below sets out their careers line by line.
Quick answer
- Who leads the career comparison? Gaylord Perry, in 7 of the 8 scored categories.
- Who had the better ERA? Gaylord Perry, with 3.11 to Jim Kaat's 3.45.
- Who won more games? Gaylord Perry, with 314 to Jim Kaat's 283.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Gaylord Perry, with 3,534 to Jim Kaat's 2,461.
- Who had the better WHIP? Gaylord Perry, with 1.18 to Jim Kaat's 1.26.
- How many innings did each pitch? Jim Kaat 4,530.1, Gaylord Perry 5,350.1.
- Who threw more shutouts? Gaylord Perry, with 53 to Jim Kaat's 31.
Jim Kaat
Gaylord Perry
Career Stats Side-by-Side
Every cell below is a career total or career rate. Cells highlighted in green mark the player who leads that line. Lower ERA, WHIP and BB/9 lead; higher K/9 leads. 8 of the 16 lines below are scored; the other 8 are shown but not scored. Games, starts and innings measure playing time, and losses, walks and hits allowed track how long someone pitched, so they are left unmarked, as is any line where both players are at zero. Rate stats are not era-adjusted, so read them against the run environment each player worked in, or use the PIV card below, which is adjusted.
| Statistic | Jim Kaat | Gaylord Perry |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 283 | Leads: 314 |
| Losses not scored | 237 | 265 |
| Games not scored | 898 | 777 |
| Games Started not scored | 625 | 690 |
| Complete Games | 180 | Leads: 303 |
| Shutouts | 31 | Leads: 53 |
| Saves not scored | 18 | 11 |
| Strikeouts | 2,461 | Leads: 3,534 |
| Walks not scored | 1,083 | 1,379 |
| Hits Allowed not scored | 4,620 | 4,938 |
| Home Runs Allowed not scored | 395 | 399 |
| Innings Pitched not scored | 4,530.1 | 5,350.1 |
| ERA | 3.45 | Leads: 3.11 |
| WHIP | 1.26 | Leads: 1.18 |
| K/9 | 4.89 | Leads: 5.94 |
| BB/9 | Leads: 2.15 | 2.32 |
PIV Comparison
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Gaylord Perry outpaces Jim Kaat 78,312 to 26,792 — driven by per-season impact — 3,560 PIV per season to 1,072 — rather than by longevity, since Gaylord Perry played 22 seasons to Jim Kaat's 25. PIV adjusts each season to league baselines, so it's the cleanest way to compare careers across eras.
Peak Seasons
The best single seasons each player produced, ranked by ERA among qualified workloads (120+ innings).
Jim Kaat — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Gaylord Perry — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Verdict
Gaylord Perry leads 7 of the 8 scored categories on the head-to-head card: wins, complete games, shutouts, strikeouts, and others. Jim Kaat leads 1: walks per nine. On the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Gaylord Perry. PIV agrees: Gaylord Perry grades out higher across their careers. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
How the Jim Kaat and Gaylord Perry careers compare
From 1962 through 1983, Jim Kaat and Gaylord Perry were in the majors together. The two careers are close in length, 898 games for Jim Kaat and 777 for Gaylord Perry across 25 and 22 PIV seasons, so the totals compare on fairly even terms. Jim Kaat's edges on the table are walks per nine (2.15 to 2.32). By rate, Jim Kaat struck out 4.89 and walked 2.15 per nine innings; Gaylord Perry struck out 5.94 and walked 2.32. Their roles differ: Jim Kaat split time between starting and relief (625 starts in 898 games); Gaylord Perry was mainly a starter (690 starts in 777 games). In WHIP, Gaylord Perry's 1.18 beats Jim Kaat's 1.26.
Jim Kaat vs Gaylord Perry: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Jim Kaat or Gaylord Perry?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Gaylord Perry leads Jim Kaat in 7 of the 8 scored categories.
- Who had the better ERA?
- Gaylord Perry, with 3.11 to Jim Kaat's 3.45.
- Who won more games?
- Gaylord Perry, with 314 to Jim Kaat's 283.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Gaylord Perry, with 3,534 to Jim Kaat's 2,461.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Gaylord Perry, with 1.18 to Jim Kaat's 1.26.