By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Mar 31st, 2024
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4322 Views
~Gonzalo Marquez 1946–1984 (Cubs 1973-1974) Gonzalo was a star in his native Venezuela, leading his team to the Caribbean World Series in 1970. The big first baseman was never more than a fringe player in the big leagues, but he did show flashes of power with both Oakland and the Cubs. After hi...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Mar 30th, 2024
0 Comments
4311 Views
–Ripper Collins 1904–1970 (Cubs 1937-1938) His real name was James Anthony Collins, but everyone called him Rip or Ripper. He said he got his nickname when, as a boy, he hit the team’s only ball and snagged it on a fence nail, ripping its cover. Collins was a star with the Cardinals, and to be ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Mar 29th, 2024
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3347 Views
~Domingo Ramos 1958– (Cubs 1989-1990) Domingo was a backup infielder for the Yankees, Blue Jays, Mariners, Indians, and Angels before coming to the Cubs in 1989. Ramos proved be an invaluable member of that division winning Cubs team in 1989. He got the most extensive playing time of his career...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Mar 28th, 2024
1 Comment
5731 Views
~Lon Warneke 1909–1976 (Cubs 1930-1936, 1942-1945) His nickname, “The Arkansas Hummingbird”, was given to him by sportswriter Roy Stockton because of his “sizzling fast and darting form of delivery.” And, of course, because he hailed from Arkansas. He wasn’t just the owner of a great nickname, ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Mar 27th, 2024
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5951 Views
~Johnny Gill 1905–1984 (Cubs 1935-1936) His teammates called him “Patcheye.” Johnny didn’t wear a patch over his eye, although he must have at least once, because the nickname “Patcheye” stuck with him throughout his career. He was a minor-league lifer, playing more than 23 seasons. He was one ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Mar 26th, 2024
1 Comment
5241 Views
~Jimmy Lavender 1874–1960 (Cubs 1912-1916) Jimmy won only 63 games in his MLB career (all but six of them for the Cubs), but for one glorious day, he was unhittable. On August 31, 1915, he made his mark in history. Lavender pitched a no-hitter in the first game of a double header in New York [&...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Mar 25th, 2024
1 Comment
5396 Views
~Dutch Leonard 1909–1983 (Cubs 1949-1953) Dutch was one of the oldest players to ever suit up for the Cubs, and the oldest player in all of baseball during his time with the Cubs. Dutch was already 40 when the Cubs acquired the four-time All-Star (with the Senators during the war years) in 1949...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Mar 24th, 2024
0 Comments
3824 Views
~Starlin Castro 1990– (Cubs 2010-2015) The Dominican shortstop burst onto the scene as the youngest player in the big leagues (age 20) in 2010, and was an immediate smash. He hit .300 as a rookie, became an All-Star, led the league in hits in his second year, and improved his power numbers and ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Mar 23rd, 2024
0 Comments
3641 Views
~Mike Remlinger 1966– (Cubs 2003-2005) Jim Hendry was big believer in signing veteran relievers, and Remlinger was one of the guys he brought in to help put that 2003 team over the top. He was in his eleventh season in the big leagues (having already pitched for Atlanta, Cincinnati, the Mets an...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Mar 22nd, 2024
0 Comments
3779 Views
–Dick Ellsworth 1940 (Cubs 1958-1966) Ellsworth experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows during his Cubs career. The lefthander won 20 games one year (one of only six lefties to lead the team in wins since World War II), and lost 22 games another year. He made the All Star team, but fi...
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