Post your Cubs sorrows and grief here   Mission Statement BLIMP His real name was Ernest Phelps, but he was known as Blimp when he played for the Cubs; a tribute to the hefty 225 pounds he carried on his frame. Phelps was a rarely used backup catcher for the Cubs in the early 30s, biding his time on the bench behind Hall of Famer Gabby Hartnett. The Cubs didn't think they needed Blimp, so they released him after the 1934 season. The Brooklyn Dodgers snatched him up pretty quickly, and the Blimp turned into the Babe. "Babe" Phelps went on to become a 3-time all-star catcher for the Dodgers. His .367 average in 1936 was the highest ever for a catcher who qualified for the batting title. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, he was also a hypochondriac, and had a horrible fear of flying. Those two factors contributed to ending his major league baseball career prematurely. Phelps retired at age 34 with a lifetime batting average of .310. Comments Section  |  Comments(2)  |  Add a Comment Poster: Michael   3/5/2008 11:18:22 AM Comment: And like Rick Reuschel too Poster: Garry   3/4/2008 6:53:33 AM Comment: He looks exactly like Jim Thome. Mission Statement