Bob Dylan’s song “Catfish” is a tribute to Jim Hunter, a Hall of Fame pitcher who played for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees. The song was written in 1975 and recorded for Dylan’s album Desire, but it was not released until 1991 on The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991.
The song celebrates Hunter’s rise from humble beginnings to become a baseball star. Dylan sings about how Hunter used to work on Mr. Finley’s farm, but the old man wouldn’t pay him, so he packed his glove and took his arm and ran away. He goes on to describe Hunter’s success in the major leagues, his million-dollar salary, and his extravagant lifestyle.
The song also pays tribute to Hunter’s pitching skills. Dylan sings about how Hunter’s curveball is so good that even Reggie Jackson can’t hit it, and how he is sure to make the Hall of Fame.
Lyrics
Lazy stadium night
Catfish on the mound.
“Strike three, ” the umpire said,
Batter have to go back and sit down.
Catfish, million-dollar-man,
Nobody can throw the ball like catfish can.
Used to work on Mr. Finley’s farm
But the old man wouldn’t pay
So he packed his glove and took his arm
An’ one day he just ran away.
Catfish, million-dollar-man,
Nobody can throw the ball like catfish can.
Come up where the yankees are,
Dress up in a pinstripe suit,
Smoke a custom-made cigar,
Wear an alligator boot.
Catfish, million-dollar-man,
Nobody can throw the ball like catfish can.
Carolina born and bred,
Love to hunt the little quail.
Got a hundred-acre spread,
Got some huntin’ dogs for sale.
Catfish, million-dollar-man,
Nobody can throw the ball like catfish can.
Reggie Jackson at the plate
Seein’ nothin’ but the curve,
Swing too early or too late
Got to eat what catfish serve.
Catfish, million-dollar-man,
Nobody can throw the ball like catfish can.
Even Billy Martin grins
When the fish is in the game.
Every season twenty wins
Gonna make the hall of fame.
Catfish, million-dollar-man,
Nobody can throw the ball like catfish can.
MERVE DEMİR
