By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 31st, 2023
0 Comments
3597 Views
~Ramon Hernandez 1940–2009 (Cubs 1968, 1976-1977) Ramon was known for his herky-jerky deceptive delivery that worked like a charm while he was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, but not so much as a member of the Cubs. His lifetime ERA was 3.03, but those very good stats (including 46 career s...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 30th, 2023
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3569 Views
~Kiki Cuyler 1898–1950 (Cubs 1928-1935) His real name is Hazen Shirley Cuyler. Cuyler was called “Cuy” by his school teammates. It was while winning the MVP title of the Southern Association with Nashville in 1923 that he acquired the Kiki nickname. Fans heard the players shout for him to take ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 29th, 2023
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3021 Views
~Henry Blanco 1971– (Cubs 2005-2008) Affectionately called Hank White by the Cubs broadcasters (Blanco means White), Blanco was a backup catcher for the Cubs for two of their playoff years (2007-2008). The veteran served as a stabilizing force for the pitching staff and also provided a little p...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 28th, 2023
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3672 Views
~Charlie Grimm 1898–1983 (Cubs player 1925-1936, Cubs manager 1932-1938, 1944-1949, 1960) They called Charlie Grimm “Jolly Cholly” because he was a fun-loving guy who always seemed to be happy during his 20 seasons as a player. He played the banjo to loosen up the team on long train rides, and ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 27th, 2023
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4892 Views
~Emil Verban 1915–1989 (Cubs 1948-1950) Verban was a second baseman for the Cubs. They called him the Antelope because of his speed early in his career, but by the time Verban played in Chicago, he wasn’t exactly tearing up the base paths. In his three seasons with the Cubs he stole a total of ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 26th, 2023
0 Comments
3454 Views
~Sparky Adams 1894–1989 (Cubs 1923-1927) His real name was Earl John Adams, and he was an energetic little guy; only 5’5″. Adams spent 1923 and 1924 as the Cubs’ semi-regular shortstop, but came into his own when he was switched to second base after George Grantham was traded to Pittsburgh for ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 25th, 2023
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3235 Views
~Rube Kroh 1886–1944 (Cubs 1908-1910) His real name was Floyd Kroh, but Rube was a common nickname in the first half of last century, indicating that the player was a country boy. Rube Kroh certainly fit that description. He grew up in a small town in New York named Friendship. Kroh’s first sea...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 24th, 2023
0 Comments
3174 Views
~Jimmy “Scoops” Cooney 1894–1991 (Cubs 1926-1927) Cooney was already 32 years old when he joined the Cubs in 1926, but he had only played parts of four major league seasons (two with the Cardinals, one each with the Red Sox and Giants). But the Cubs had no one else to play shortstop when they a...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 23rd, 2023
0 Comments
3230 Views
~Guy Bush 1901–1985 (Cubs 1923-1934) The Mississippi Mudcat got his nickname because he came from Mississippi and had a very strange delivery. Bush won 150+ games for the Cubs, as a starter and reliever (he led the league in relief wins 4 times). Some of those were key games in Cubs history. On...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 22nd, 2023
1 Comment
4212 Views
~Ray Burris 1950– (Cubs 1973-1979) Ray anchored the Cubs rotation in the mid-70s, twice winning 15 games in a season (’75 & ’76). Unfortunately for Ray, expectations were very high for him. He arrived on the Cubs just as Fergie Jenkins was departing, and the team hoped that Burris could st...
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