By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Dec 14th, 2023
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3797 Views
~Bill Buckner 1949 (Cubs 1977-1984) In his first season with the Cubs in 1977, Bill Buckner hit a respectable .284, but is there any doubt that Buckner’s mustache was the finest mustache in the entire National League that year? Billy Buck went on to have a great Cubs career, capped off by a bat...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Oct 15th, 2023
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2893 Views
~Bill Henry 1927–2014 (Cubs 1958-1959) Bill led the league in appearances in his second and final season with the Cubs. He served as their closer in 1959, winning 9 games, and saving 12. After the season ended, Henry was traded (along with Lou Jackson and Lee Walls) to the Reds for slugging thi...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Oct 13th, 2023
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5228 Views
~Rube Waddell 1876–1914 (Orphans 1901) Rube was a common nickname for hayseeds and farm boys, and Rube Waddell was definitely that. He only pitched one season for the Cubs (before they were even called that) in 1901, and was only a .500 pitcher that season, but he blossomed as a pitcher the nex...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Sep 23rd, 2023
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5779 Views
September 24, 1943 The Cubs call up outfielder Andy Pafko from their Los Angeles minor league team, and put him in the lineup. He would remain there for the next eight seasons. His first game at Wrigley Field is played in absolutely miserable weather conditions. It is freezing cold, the wind is howli...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Sep 10th, 2023
1 Comment
6494 Views
September 12, 1998 Sammy Sosa becomes the first Cubs player to hit 60 home runs in a season. He does it in the sixth inning of wild slugfest against Milwaukee Brewers reliever Valerio de los Santos. Sammy’s homer is memorable, but it isn’t the most dramatic homer of the game. On a day the...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Sep 7th, 2023
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3545 Views
~Mark Prior 1980– (Cubs 2002-2006) Prior was considered the franchise. He was the second overall pick of the draft, and he pitched like it initially. He finished in the top ten in Rookie of the Year voting in 2002, and then put it all together in 2003. He won 18 games, struck out 245, and [&hel...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Aug 13th, 2023
2 Comments
6803 Views
August 13, 1987 The Cubs retire the number of one of the all-time greats: Good Ol’ Number 26, Billy Williams. It is only the second number they ever retired (Ernie was first). Maybe there is some magic in the air, because the woeful Cubs come back to win the game in dramatic fashion. Catcher Jo...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 15th, 2023
0 Comments
4080 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...
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