We must send the message that if you use illegal drugs, you will pay the ultimate price by not playing an entire season. And if you get caught again, you will be banished for life.

Bunning pitched for the Detroit Tigers (1955–63). They had five daughters and four sons. In his first season with the Phillies Bunning entered play on June 21 with a 6–2 record on the season.

When Bunning retired he had the second-highest total of career strikeouts in Major League history; he is currently 17th. Bunning gave his farewell speech to the Senate on December 9 2010 and was succeeded by current Senator Rand Paul on January 3 2011. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.