Today’s Cubs Birthdays (October 11)

~Bob Chipman 1918–1973 (Cubs 1944-1949)
The Cubs traded their young second baseman Eddie Stanky for Chipman, who was really just a journeyman pitcher. Stanky went on to play in three World Series, was named to three All-Star teams, led the league in on-base percentage twice, and most famously started the ninth-inning rally that culminated in Bobby Thomson’s pennant-winning home run. Chipman pitched for the Cubs for five seasons, never winning more than nine games. (Photo: 1949 Bowman Baseball Card)

~Rick James 1947– (Cubs 1967)
No record of whether or not this Rick James was super-freaky, but he was a highly touted prospect. The Cubs had the sixth pick in the very first amateur draft (1965) and chose pitcher Rick James. He only pitched three big league games. His ERA was 13.50 in those games. The player chosen right after him was future All-Star catcher Ray Fosse. Not a good start for the Cubs in the draft era.

~Jesus Sanchez 1974– (Cubs 2002)
Sanchez pitched only eight games for the Cubs in 2002 and was lit up. He finished his Cubs career with a 12.96 ERA. He also pitched for the Marlins, Rockies, Reds, and in Korea and Taiwan.