Book Cover Portrait of Jim Kaat: Capturing Eight Decades of Baseball in One Powerful Image
Creating professional portraits in Stuart, Florida means I’ve photographed many memorable faces—but this one was especially meaningful. I was honored to photograph baseball legend Jim Kaat for the cover of his memoir, Good as Gold, a project that beautifully blended sports legacy, personal memories, and storytelling portraiture.
By Diane Dultmeier | Stuart, Florida Family Photographer
From the Mound to the Memoir: A Baseball Legend’s Legacy
Jim Kaat’s name is etched in baseball history. Over the course of eight decades, Jim has worn many hats: Major League Baseball pitcher, television sports commentator, All-Star, and Gold Glove winner. With 25 seasons on the field starting in 1959, and 16 Gold Gloves—the most of any player—his legacy is nothing short of extraordinary.
So when Jim reached out to ask me to create the book cover portrait for his new memoir, Good as Gold, I felt both honored and excited. Despite having over 40 years of experience as a professional photographer, there was still a flutter of nervous anticipation as I prepared to capture such a legendary figure.
Our First Portrait Session: A Stuart Magazine Feature (And a Gift for My Son)
I first photographed Jim back in 2010 for a Stuart Magazine feature at his home in Stuart, Florida. The session was relaxed and natural, set against the backdrop of his own memorabilia. Jim wore his Minnesota Twins jersey and leaned on the balcony railing with a baseball in hand, his trademark smile lighting up the shot. That portrait session was memorable—not just for the resulting images, but for the kindness Jim showed my family.
He asked about my son Andrew, who was seven at the time and playing Little League, then offered to autograph a baseball for him. That small gesture meant so much. Andrew and I looked up Jim’s stats and browsed his vintage baseball cards online, bringing his career to life for my young ballplayer.
Now, more than a decade later, Andrew still treasures that baseball. “It’s pretty cool to have something signed by a famous person—and that he thought to give it to me when I was just a little boy playing baseball,” he told me recently at age 19.
A Love Story Captured in a Silent Auction Portrait Session
Shortly after that magazine shoot, I photographed Jim again—this time with his wife Margie. They had won a portrait session I donated to an American Cancer Society silent auction. We photographed the couple at their beautiful Caribbean Colonial-style home, Rabbit Run, overlooking the St. Lucie River in Stuart.
The images captured the warmth of their relationship and the unique charm of the home they loved. That property was later sold, making the portraits even more meaningful. We created a Storyteller Coffee Table Book to preserve their time in that home—a lasting legacy of love and place.
The Elliott Museum Connection
A few years later, I crossed paths with Jim again—this time through the Elliott Museum in Stuart, Florida, where a baseball exhibit featured some of Jim’s personal memorabilia. He even gave a talk to help promote the exhibit.
My other son Daniel happened to intern at the museum the summer before high school. When he spotted Jim’s artifacts on display, he excitedly told me, knowing the history between our families—and the importance of that signed baseball to his brother.
🎥 Watch Jim Kaat talk about the Elliott Museum collection.
Planning the Book Cover for Good as Gold: A Stuart Studio Session
In 2021, Jim called again. He was writing his third book and asked if I’d photograph him for the book cover portrait. Naturally, I said yes! He connected me with his editor, Jeff Fedotin at Triumph Books, and we began planning.
As a longtime reader, I understand how crucial a book cover is—it’s the first thing a reader sees, and it must capture the story’s spirit. I researched covers of memoirs by athletes, presidents, and other public figures to find the right tone.
Jim and Margie came to my Stuart photography studio to plan the shoot. We discussed:
Shirt color: Blue
Shirt style: Long-sleeved polo to draw focus to his face
Memorabilia to include: A baseball, his 1982 World Series ring, a Golden Glove Award
Mood: Friendly and happy
Backdrop: Dark to keep the focus on Jim
Relaxation strategy: Having Margie there for support and fun
Because of the planning we did, the photo session was efficient and relaxed. I guided Jim gently through poses, using thoughtful direction for hand placement and expressions. He was surprised by how small tweaks—tilting his head or adjusting the baseball—made a big difference.
Choosing the Final Book Cover Image
After the session, I sent my favorite images to Triumph Books. Jeff and the art director were thrilled. Jim and Jeff decided on a compelling yet simple image for the cover–focusing on Jim’s smile and his World Series ring. I agreed this image captured him well. On the book’s back is an image of Jim with one of his Golden Gloves trophies.
“It’s the best of my book covers,” Jim later told me.
This memoir joins his earlier titles:
Still Pitching: Musings from the Mound and the Microphone (2003)
If These Walls Could Talk: New York Yankees (2015)
Not long after the shoot, the Baseball Hall of Fame announced that Jim would be inducted in 2022. That news made it onto the book cover just in time.
A Full-Circle Moment: My Son Meets Jim
To top it all off, Jim invited me to his home to give me a signed copy of Good as Gold. I brought Andrew along—now a young man of 19. Watching him meet the baseball legend who had gifted him that ball so many years ago was incredibly moving.
Jim’s advice to Andrew: “Aim high and never think your dream isn’t attainable.”
Before we left, Andrew snapped a quick photo of me and Jim together, holding the book. It was a full-circle moment I’ll never forget.
Why This Book Is Personal to Jim
Beyond his legendary career, Jim had another purpose for writing this book: to honor his daughter Jill, who passed away from stage four neuroendocrine cancer in 2021.
“Jill’s attitude and resilience in handling this horrific disease has been an inspiration to me,” Jim writes in the book’s dedication.
All proceeds from Good as Gold go to support the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation, helping others affected by the same rare illness.
Learn More About Jim Kaat and His Book
🔗 Jim Kaat’s Bio on PlayersBio
📘 Buy Good as Gold at:
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