Today’s Cubs Birthdays (December 30)

~Ray Prim 1906 (1945 Cubs)
Prim was nicknamed “Pop” by his Cubs teammates for good reason; he was nearly 39 years old when he pitched on the 1945 Cubs. Pop was a classic war time player. He had been out of the big leagues for quite awhile before the war began, and saw an opportunity to return when so many players were drafted into the military. He made the most of his opportunity. In 1945 he won 13 games and posted a sterling 2.40 ERA (best in the National League that season). Unfortunately, when all the big leaguers returned in 1946, Pop was put out to pasture. He passed away in 1995 at the age of 88.

~Sean Gallagher 1985 (Cubs 2007)
Gallagher was brought up for a trial with the Cubs as a 21-year-old rookie, and was hit pretty hard. In 14.2 innings he gave up 14 runs and walked 12. The Cubs threw him in the deal for Rich Harden (along with future all-star Josh Donaldson) in 2009. Gallagher later pitched for the A’s, Padres, and Pirates.

~Steve Davis 1953 (Cubs 1979)
Davis appeared in three games for the Cubs as a September call up in 1979. He played second base and third base, and didn’t record a single big league hit.

~Clarence Currie 1878 (Cubs 1903)
The last six big league appearances of the Canadian pitcher’s career came in a Cubs uniform. He started three games, and completed two of them. He also recorded a save. But the well-stocked Cubs pitching staff didn’t have any room for him in 1904. Currie went back to Canada and pitched there.