Author Topic: Cubs History  (Read 56582 times)

Reb

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Re: Cubs History
« Reply #1230 on: September 13, 2020, 09:07:29 pm »
Another Cubs Quiz.

Who is this former Cubs player?

1. Won an MVP some years before playing for the Cubs.

2. Won eight Gold Gloves.

3. Was traded for a future HOFer.

4. In final season of his career, he was sent to a club that had one of the epic late-season collapses in MLB history.

5. Turns age 95 later this month (hopefully).

Tuffy

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Re: Cubs History
« Reply #1231 on: September 13, 2020, 09:12:24 pm »
That final season must have been with the '64 Phillies, right?

(Or were there any 44-year-olds on the '69 Cubs?)

Reb

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Re: Cubs History
« Reply #1232 on: September 13, 2020, 09:22:56 pm »
Here’s another clue.

He was selected in the 1961 AL expansion draft AND selected in the 1962 NL expansion draft. He also played for a first-year relocated franchise.

Dave23

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Re: Cubs History
« Reply #1233 on: September 13, 2020, 10:36:15 pm »
I know this one...

Tuffy

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Re: Cubs History
« Reply #1234 on: September 13, 2020, 11:52:35 pm »
I did some digging (there are only so many 95-year-old former major leaguers still alive) and figured out who it is.

I had had no idea that he played for the Cubs.  I think he's most famous for his time with the Yankees.

Reb

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Re: Cubs History
« Reply #1235 on: September 14, 2020, 01:55:22 am »
Yeah, it’s Bobby Shantz.

Was AL MVP in 1952 with Phily A’s. That was a 8.8 bWAR season.

In the 1960 WS, Shantz came into Game 7 for the Yanks in 3rd inning with Pirates leading 4-0. He then pitched 5 scoreless innings, pitching to the minimum of 15 batters. He came out to pitch the 8th inning with Yanks now leading 7-4...and gave up three consecutive singles and was relieved by Jim Coates and with Yanks leading 7-5. Coates ended up giving up a two-out 3-run homer to Hal Smith—-arguably the most significant homer in a game 7 ever—in terms of altering the win probability of the game.

In 1964, Shantz was part of the Cubs return for Lou Brock and in August was sold to the Phillies. He pitched well for the Phillies but blew the lead in one critical final-week game.

He was selected by the Senators in the 1961 expansion draft but traded a couple days later and was picked by Houston in the 1962 expansion draft.

Shantz retired after the 1964 season. What a career! Hope he lives to 100 (and more).

Reb

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Re: Cubs History
« Reply #1236 on: September 14, 2020, 02:11:51 am »
Here’s a fun article from a few years ago about Shantz still doing card shows in his 90s!

I know he still signs because I recently got a 5x7 photo of him with the 1964 Cubs that he signed just a few months ago.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidseideman/2017/08/23/diminutive-91-year-old-pitcher-beats-hulk-hogan-at-autograph-show/

Reb

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Re: Cubs History
« Reply #1237 on: September 14, 2020, 02:31:43 am »
Just to wrap this up....

Shantz was a pretty good hitter, with a .195 career BA. His career K% as a hitter was 15%.

Cubs as a team are 26.5% in 2020. MLB best are Astros at 20%.

Oh, and Shantz was traded to the Pirates in 1961 for......HARRY BRIGHT.

Dave23

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Re: Cubs History
« Reply #1238 on: September 17, 2020, 08:41:48 pm »
Happy Birthday to Wildfire Schulte...wish oldfan was here to tell us all about him...


https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/frank-schulte/
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Bennett

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Re: Cubs History
« Reply #1239 on: September 21, 2020, 01:54:08 pm »
Bleacher Nation  @BleacherNation  59m
23 Years Ago Today, Harry Caray Led the Seventh Inning Stretch for the Final Time



It was also Ryne Sandberg's final game at Wrigley.

Reb

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Re: Cubs History
« Reply #1240 on: September 21, 2020, 11:09:08 pm »
Cubs Quiz.

Who is this former Cubs player?

1. Was scouted and signed by Cubs after seeing him dominate as a fast-pitch softball pitcher and hitter.

2. Was inducted into Pacific Coast League HOF.

3. Batted .300 in his first full season as a Cub.

4. In the minors, had his wife sit in stands and heckle him for good luck.

5. Thought he was allergic to ivy and, therefore, was fearful of getting too close to the LF ivy at Wrigley Field.

6. Played LF at Wrigley Field.

7. Nicknamed “The Mad Russian”

Tuffy

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Re: Cubs History
« Reply #1241 on: September 22, 2020, 03:54:27 am »
The only hint that helped me was number 7: Lou Novikoff.

Reb

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Bennett

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Re: Cubs History
« Reply #1243 on: September 23, 2020, 01:32:37 pm »
22 years ago today

Chip Caray and Steve Stone


Pat Hughes and Ron Santo

JR

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Re: Cubs History
« Reply #1244 on: September 23, 2020, 01:43:52 pm »
Now that Bartolo is retired, are there any genuine out of shape major league pitchers the likes of Bartolo or Rod Beck still in the league?  Michael Pineda might be the only one I can think of right off hand.