He was the Phillies’ “Kitty.”

Jim Kaat made his contribution to a Phillies’ team that dominated the National League East between 1976 and 1979 by winning a combined 376 games and three division titles.

Kaat had an overall record of just 27-30 over his four years in Phillies pinstripes, but the cagey left-hander played a key role despite his share of controversy.

Not to mention, he also truly was a baseball anomaly.

In this week’s version of my Behind the Plate column, I will examine Kaat’s Phillies’ career, take a glimpse at the Mets and Yankees. as well as the rise of the team with the best record in the National League this season, the surprising Pittsburgh Pirates.

I’ll also have some fantasy baseball fillers.

Klassy Kaat ... The Phillies acquired Kaat from the White Sox for Dick Ruthven, Roy Thomas and Alan Bannister (a name from the draft pick past) in December 1975. The White Sox had claimed Kaat off waivers in 1973, and he had two 20-win seasons for them.

At the age of 37, most thought Kaat was in the twilight of his career, and there was plenty of skepticism about giving up Ruthven.

Yet, Kaat proved to be a missing piece the club needed, as he registered 12 wins and helped the 1976 Phillies team to the first of two 101-win seasons. He threw 227 innings and posted a respectable 3.48 ERA. Kaat threw six strong innings in a Game 3 playoff start that the Phils eventually lost 7-6 to the Reds.

The following season, Kaat started the year in the bullpen due to manager Danny Ozark’s enamored state with Wayne Twitchell, and the fact that closer Tug McGraw was ailing and the Phils needed an extra arm in the pen. It began to surface during that time that Kaat and Ozark didn’t see eye-to-eye.

But Twichell struggled and was traded to Montreal in June, so Kaat made it back to the rotation in May, and made 25 starts through mid-September. But It became evident that Kaat’s effectiveness began to wane, sending him back to the bullpen during the season’s closing stretch.

In addition to his pitching, Ozark often inserted Kaat into games as a pinch-runner - mostly after the days he pitched. Kaat was always physically fine-tuned and was used often in that role.

But because of his late-season struggles on the mound, Kaat didn’t make a postseason appearance against the Dodgers. He ended the year with a 6-11 mark and a high 5.39 ERA.

In 1978 - when most figured he was on his way out of Philadelphia - the then-40-year-old Kaat agreed to a two-year, $200,000 deal with a no-trade clause. He finished the year with an 8-5 record and a 4.10 ERA in 24 starts. But despite respectable numbers, fans began to turn on Kaat as he became the subject of their frustrations when the Phillies won 11 less games than the previous two seasons - although they won their third straight division title.

Kaat began the ‘79 season with the team, but was soon placed on waivers and picked up by the Yankees. He never regained his once lofty presence in the Bronx, but the still-spry, 44-year-old remained in the majors and played an integral role in the St. Louis Cardinals’ ‘82 title.

He would spend one more year in St. Louis before a 25-year, 283-win career would end at the conclusion of the 1983 season.

Kaat would eventually embark on a 25-year broadcast career as one of the game’s more smoother and educated announcers before he called it a career in 2022 at the age of 83.

Whether you believed Kaat helped the Phillies over a four-year span or not, his contribution to the game is undeniable.

How about those Buccos ... One of the hottest clubs in baseball today is the Pittsburgh Pirates, who currently have a 20-9 record, second only to Tampa’s 23 wins. They lead Milwaukee - another team off to a good start - by 1.5 games in the NL Central.

The Bucs have won nine of their last 11 games, and had a run-differential of plus-48, behind only Tampa (an incredible plus-103 and Texas’s plus-72).

Former Phillies Vince Velasquez and Andrew McCutcheon have been regular contributors on the mound and at the plate, respectively. McCutcheon, Velasquez, and veteran Rich Hill - still effective at 44 - have helped set the pace for a club with plenty of players who are overachieving from their expected seasons.

Even if the Pirates begin to slide during the dog days of the season, they have rekindled the days of Pittsburgh’s dominance in the NL East from the late 60s through the 70s.

If you’re a Phillies’ fan, you remember how they dominated the Phils for the better part of a 10-year period. I was in attendance when Willie “Pops” Stargell hit the longest home run in Veterans Stadium history off Jim Bunning on June 25, 1971.

From 1969 to ‘79, the Bucs won five NL East titles, and two World Series - the latter one being the “We Are Family” cast led by Stargell and Dave Parker in ‘79.

The Buccos posted the first-ever all-black lineup in the majors on Sept. 1, 1971. With third baseman Richie Hebner and shortstop Gene Alley sidelined with injuries, future Phil Dave Cash and utility infielder Jackie Hernandez filled in. They were joined around the rest of the diamond by future Phillie Al Oliver at first, Rennie Stennett at second. Manny Sanguillen was behind the plate, and Dock Ellis on the mound. In the outfield, it was Stargell in left, Gene Clines in center, and Roberto Clemente in right. Typically, the Pirates would start four or five black players in the lineup.

The 2023 Pirates may not be able to stay in the fast lane all season, but it’s good for the game to see a once-dominant team back on top.

New York Fantasy Fillers ... The Mets should have Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander back in their rotation soon, and they certainly need an infusion to curb some recent struggles. Both could be good trade possibilities, provided owners in your fantasy league are getting impatient waiting for their return.

The Mets’ Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso have continued their hot starts at the plate, as have Jeff McNeil and Francisco Lindor. Keep an eye on Brett Baty and Francisco Alvarez as Mets to add to your fantasy roster.

As far as the Yankees are concerned, their pitching also needs an elixir, as they have dropped six of their last eight, including their final three games in Texas. Aside from Gerrit Cole on the hill, and Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo at the plate, the Bronx Bombers have been bad in both real life and fantasy. I still think D.J. LeMahieu can be a good pickup, but the rest of the lineup is a pure crap shoot.

Phillie Flyers ... If you haven’t done it yet, pick up Brandon Marsh. His stock is rising, and he should be a safe play the rest of the season.

Also, Matt Strahm and Jose Alvarado should enhance your pitching staff. Strahm has a key start Tuesday night in Los Angeles.

Did You Know ... On this date in 1883, the Phillies returned to the National League for the first time in six years after being expelled for not traveling West in 1876.

They were beaten, 4-2 by the Providence Grays at Recreation Park, a stadium near Temple University.

Feedback Welcome ...Your comments, ideas, and thoughts are always welcomed at tnsports@tnonline.com