By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Sep 14th, 2024
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3359 Views
~Dave Hillman 1927– (Cubs 1955-1959) Hillman appeared in over a hundred games for the Cubs in the 1950s. The right-hander worked both as a starter and reliever, and had a respectable ERA, but he had the propensity to give up the long ball. After the 1959 season Hillman was traded to the Red Sox...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Sep 3rd, 2024
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3637 Views
~Luis Gonzalez 1967– (Cubs 1995-1996) Luis Gonzalez obviously got his nickname from his last name, because he already had it when he was on the Cubs, and he obviously didn’t hit like a Gonzo in Chicago (22 home runs in his 1 ½ years with the team). It’s not as if Gonzo’s Cubs career was [&helli...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Aug 20th, 2024
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6096 Views
August 22, 1982 The Cubs retire the first number in franchise history: #14 in honor of Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks. No-one had worn #14 since Ernie retired as a coach in 1973, but by raising the #14 flag the Cubs make it official. In the lineup for the Cubs that day is a rookie third […]...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 6th, 2024
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3277 Views
~Ray Culp 1941– (Cubs 1967) Ray Culp was already a two-time 14-game winner when the Cubs acquired him before the 1967 season, and they gave up former 20-game winner Dick Ellsworth to get him from the Phillies. But in his only season with Chicago, Culp was mediocre, managing only 8 wins. He also...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Jul 31st, 2024
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6741 Views
August 2, 1923 President Warren G. Harding dies unexpectedly. He wasn’t from Chicago, but Chicago nevertheless played an important role in the his presidency. For one thing, in 1920 he was nominated by Republican party leaders in a smoke filled Chicago hotel room; Suite 4046 on the 13th floor o...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 27th, 2024
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5864 Views
~Leo Durocher 1905–1991 (Cubs manager 1965-1972) How did people really feel about Leo Durocher? A quote from Jack Brickhouse: “In the early days Leo was an SOB, but a sharp SOB. By the time he finished in Chicago he was just an old SOB.” Suffice it to say, Leo was not beloved. When he was [&hel...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 25th, 2024
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3231 Views
~Steve Goodman (Cubs fan 1948-1984) Steve Goodman was born on the north side of Chicago. His family later relocated to the northwestern suburbs (Steve attended Maine East in Park Ridge), so it was only natural that Goodman became a Cubs fan. His music career began the same year his beloved Cubs had o...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 17th, 2024
1 Comment
4606 Views
~Don Kessinger 1942– (Cubs 1964-1975) Kessinger had a brilliant career with the Cubs, holding down the starting shortstop position for over a decade during the Cubs resurgence of the late 60s/early 70s. Kessinger was an All-Star five years in a row (68-72) and a two-time Gold Glover. He and Gle...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 7th, 2024
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3560 Views
~Billy Herman 1909–1992 (Cubs 1931-1941) He was named William Jennings Bryan Herman after the famed orator, and this Billy had an incredible big league career. He was a 10-time All-Star in 15 big league seasons (and his first two years, the All-Star game hadn’t been invented yet). He was consid...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 29th, 2024
0 Comments
3482 Views
~John Boccabella 1941– (Cubs 1963-1968) Boccabella was considered one of the brightest prospects in the Cubs organization. He was so highly touted that Cubs manager Leo Durocher couldn’t wait to play him at first base and send Ernie Banks out to pasture. In the only season Boccabella got over 2...
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