Jim Bakken—He Just Kicked It

[Jim O]

Jim Bakken—He Just Kicked It

You must be registered for see images

“He just kicked it.”

Those words from Hall of Famer Larry Wilson, who served as the holder for Jim Bakken, one of the most accomplished kickers in the history of the National Football League and a Cardinal for 16 seasons.

Regardless of the conditions—swirling wind, driving rain, bone-chilling cold, slippery or muddy ball, last-second game deciding play, bad snap, bad hold—“He just kicked it.”

And kicked it he did.

For 16 seasons and 234 consecutive games—all as a Cardinal!

Read More...

 

[40yearfan]

Jim Bakken---the Michael Jordan of kickers.

 

[Jim O]

Jim Bakken---the Michael Jordan of kickers.

Yes...without all of the endorsements though!

 

[ajcardfan]

Based on the thread title, I thought he had just died!

 

[Dback Jon]

Based on the thread title, I thought he had just died!

Me too!

 

[Jim O]

Based on the thread title, I thought he had just died!

Never thought of it that way.

 

[TruColor]

IMO, Bakken was the greatest clutch kicker ever. Loved that guy.

Heck of an athlete as well - that article touched upon it, but he also used to regularly take batting practice with the baseball Cardinals (Red Schoendist said that he was a better hitter than a lot of the guys on the team), and was the starting point guard on the football Cardinals' summer league basketball team. And a really good one, I heard.

 

[vince56]

Me too!

 

[Jim O]

he also used to regularly take batting practice with the baseball Cardinals (Red Schoendist said that he was a better hitter than a lot of the guys on the team)

Wow...that is interesting. I didn't know that.

 

[jw7]

Based on the thread title, I thought he had just died!

That was my first thought when I read the thread title.

 

[BigRedMO]

One of the last straight ahead kickers. He was Mr. Clutch. The Cards have struggled ever since his retirement in 1978 to replace him. He played for the Cards 1962-78. That is amazing. Guys dont even last 10 years with the same team anymore.

 

[Shuesters2]

If I remember right Dierdorf said his nickkname was "Bags"... like the game was in the bag if he was lining up for the game winner.

Shuesters

 

[TruColor]

If I remember right Dierdorf said his nickkname was "Bags"... like the game was in the bag if he was lining up for the game winner.

Shuesters

That's right..."Bags"...I had forgotten that.

 

[Camshaft]

Consider his stats and then remember he played in 14 games seasons except for 1978. Wonder how high his position on stat charts would be if his entire career would have been 16 games season?