Today’s Cubs Birthdays (October 18)

~Don Young 1945– (Cubs 1965, 1969)
Young remains infamous in Cubs history for a dropped fly ball in 1969. His teammate Ron Santo called him out in a postgame rant to the press, and many people think it damaged the kid’s psyche and team unity. Santo apologized the next day, but Young was never the same after that. 1969 was his last season in the big leagues.(Photo: Topps 1970 Baseball Card)

~Allen Ripley 1952–2014 (Cubs 1982)
Believe it or not, Ripley was a starting pitcher for a few seasons in the late 70s and early 80s. His last season in the big leagues was with the Cubs. The right-hander went 5-7 with a 4.26 ERA in 19 starts. He also pitched for the Red Sox and the Giants. His dad Walter was a big leaguer with the Red Sox.

~Sumpter Clarke 1897–1962 (Cubs 1920)
If you want to go back in time to see Clarke play for the Cubs, simply set the wayback machine to September 27, 1920. It was his only game in a Cubs uniform. The outfielder went 1 for 3 against Cardinals pitcher Ferdie Schupp in a 16-1 Cubs loss at Wrigley Field (then known as Cubs Park). Clarke’s brother Rufe also played in the big leagues briefly with the Detroit Tigers.

~Hans Lobert 1881–1968 (Cubs 1905)
Hans played briefly with the Cubs in 1905, but the bulk of his 14-year big league career was spent with the Reds and the Phillies. He hit .300 or better in three different seasons with those clubs. A near riot broke out on Opening Day in 1908, thanks to Hans. He was the Reds third baseman at the time, and went into the stands, in the rowdy section known as “Rooter’s Row,” to spit at a heckler. After the game, he went into the stands to beat up a different heckler, landed a few punches, and was suspended.

~Walt Wilmot 1863–1929 (Colts 1890-1895)
Walt was a good left fielder, but he was best known for hitting. A rare switch-hitter for his era, Wilmot led the league in homers and triples, and knocked in 130 runs in 1894. He settled in Chicago after his playing days were over. Wilmot still holds a Cubs record. He walked six times in a game in 1891, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since.

~Cliff Carroll 1859–1923 (Colts 1890-1891)
Cliff was already a champion when he came to Chicago (he won the 1884 World Series with Providence), and the left fielder became a key member of the team. He led the league in at-bats in his first year with the Cubs (then known as the Colts). By the way, the official records say Cliff Carroll hit 31 career homers. That’s only because of a rule that no longer exists. By today’s rules, he would have hit 32. In 1890 he broke up a ninth inning tie with a two-run walk-off homer. He only got credit for a double because the run scoring before him actually won the game.