By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 16th, 2024
0 Comments
3644 Views
~Kerry Wood 1977– (Cubs 1998-2008, 2011-2012) He wasn’t even 21 years old when he came up to the majors in May of 1998, but he made his mark right away. On May 6, 1998, he took the mound on a very cold and wet day in Wrigley Field and pitched one of the best games […]...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 15th, 2024
0 Comments
4190 Views
~Billy Williams 1938– (Cubs 1959-1974) Billy Williams got his nickname (“Sweet Swingin’ Billy from Whistler”) because of his nearly perfect swing and his hometown: Whistler, Alabama. He played for the Cubs from 1959-1974 and is simply one of the greatest players to ever wear a Cubs uniform. Swe...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 14th, 2024
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3110 Views
~Hal Manders 1917–2010 (Cubs 1946) Hal pitched for the Tigers before being drafted into military service during World War II. When he returned, he pitched briefly for them again before being sent off to the team they beat in the previous year’s World Series. He got one start in September for th...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 13th, 2024
1 Comment
4047 Views
~Carroll Yerkes 1903–1950 (Cubs 1932-1933) The lefty pitcher (nicknamed “Lefty” of course) was a member of the 1929 A’s team that beat the Cubs in the World Series, but fell on hard times after that season, and didn’t reemerge until the 1932 Cubs pennant-winning season. He only appeared in two ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 12th, 2024
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3384 Views
~Bob Thorpe 1935–1960 (Cubs 1955) Thorpe was a minor league phenom, winning 28 games in the lower minors in 1954. The Cubs brought him all the way up the big leagues the following season, and he pitched in a few games out of the bullpen at the beginning of 1955. He wore the now retired [&hellip...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 11th, 2024
0 Comments
5123 Views
~Charlie Hollocher 1896–1940 (Cubs 1918-1924) Charlie’s life was a series of very high highs and very low lows. He was one of the greatest hitters on the Cubs in his seven seasons in the big leagues. He led the 1918 team to the pennant, and led the league in hits. In 1922, he only struck [&hell...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 10th, 2024
0 Comments
3181 Views
~Frank Demaree 1910–1958 (Cubs 1932-1938) Frank had a very unusual upbringing. He grew up in California to deaf-mute parents, but he managed to thrive in both school and athletics. Demaree became an important cog for a very strong Cubs team in the 1930s. The outfielder appeared in three World S...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 9th, 2024
0 Comments
3394 Views
~Roy Smalley 1926–2011 (Cubs 1948-1953) Roy had good pop for a shortstop, hitting 21 home runs one year, but his lifetime batting average was only .227, and he didn’t draw many walks either. In his first season, his on-base percentage was .265. That’s a pretty stunning total for a player with o...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 8th, 2024
0 Comments
2636 Views
~Tim Donahue 1870–1902 (Orphans/Colts 1895-1900) His teammates may have nicknamed him Bridget, but Donahue was one of the toughest men in the league when he played for the Cubs (then known as the Orphans and Colts). He was so tough, he once caught an entire game with two splints on broken finge...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 7th, 2024
1 Comment
4358 Views
~George Mitterwald 1945– (Cubs 1974-1977) While the Cubs were surging toward their 1945 National League pennant, future Cubs catcher George Mitterwald was born in California. Acquired in a trade for Randy Hundley in 1974, George hit 26 home runs for the Cubs. Granted, that was in four full seas...
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