A Future Yankee...and a Future Yankee Killer

This player bookended his career as a Cub but was better remembered for the other two teams he played with:

Card #501 -- Larry Gura, Chicago Cubs

Larry Gura first came up with Chicago in 1970, but was used sparingly through 1973. An occasional starter, he also worked the bullpen. He was traded to the Rangers, and then the Yankees before the 1974 season. Beginning in 1975, the Yankees used Gura as a member of the starting rotation.That said, they should have known what they were doing when they sent him to the Royals in 1976.

Gura's best years were in Kansas City. He particularly irked his former team, going 11-6 against them and seeing them four out of five years (1976-'78, '80) in the ALCS. In 1978-'81, he won every game against them where he had a decision, including two ALCS games. He was a member of the team that went to the '80 World Series; ironically, he was released by the team in 1985, the same year they finally won a championship.

1985 would be Gura's final year. He went back to Chicago, and the Cubs also released him before the year was over.

Cubbie "Blue"

Here's another one of the unnumbered blue-bordered checklists that were included in the wax packs with the high-numbered cards in 1973:

(No Number) Chicago Cubs Team Checklist Card

The border color is actually suitable for the team that's featured. Here's something worth sharing here, since I missed mentioning it in my post that featured the team photo card: 1973 was the only year between 1945 and 1984 where the Cubs were in contention going into the final day of the season. Due to rainouts, they still had four games to play against the Mets (the same team that denied of the division in 1969). They just needed to win all four games, but weren't able to.

This is the sixth team checklist card featured on this blog. So far, the only team that's "fielded" an entire team from the signatures was the same team that beat them to win the 1945 World Series...the Detroit Tigers. So let's see. Randy Hundley is behind the plate. Hickman at first, Beckert at second, Kessinger at short and Santo on third. We have Williams, Cardenal and Monday in the outfield. There are even three starters (Jenkins, Pappas and Hooton) and LaRoche in relief. For only the second time, we have a balanced team among the signatures.

Not On My Watch

Today is Veterans' Day. As a veteran myself (U.S. Army, early 1990s), I would like to express my gratitude to all who have taken years out of their lives and helped keep this country safer. Today's card features a player who never went overseas with the military but will be remembered for an act he did that made many assume he had:

Card #44 -- Rick Monday, Chicago Cubs

On April 25, 1976, Rick Monday was in the outfield at Dodger Stadium and watched a man and his young son sneak on to the field. They had doused an American flag with lighter fluid and were set to burn it as a protest. Before they could get the match lit, Monday ran over and grabbed the flag away from them. That incident has come to overshadow a career that was itself very good.

Like many players of the era, Monday was placed in a reserve unit to satisfy his military obligation and keep him available to play baseball at the same time. Monday served with the U.S Marines one weekend a month and for a two-week training session every year until he had satisfied his obligation. Though critics complained that the system was unfair to those who didn't have alternatives available to them and were forced to go to Vietnam, the owners did it to prevent losing prized prospects for a year or two and losing time having them on the field.

Rick Monday was a star at Arizona State University, before becoming the very first player claimed in the major league draft in 1965. He was chosen by the Kansas City A's and came up to the club in '66. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs after the 1971 season for Ken Holtzman and enjoyed five productive seasons at Wrigley before being traded to the Dodgers before the '77 season in the deal that sent Bill Buckner to Chicago. It's been said that the '76 flag incident caused the Dodgers to be interested in Monday, but it needs to be pointed out that Dodgers skipper Tommy Lasorda had tried to secure his services during his days as a scout in the early 1960s.

After missing out on Oakland's three straight World Series, Monday arrived in Los Angeles in time for the team to win pennants in 1977 and '78 and was instrumental in getting the team to the World Series again in 1981. During the NLCS, Monday connected for a home run off Steve Rogers that gave the Dodgers the edge they needed to win the final game. Monday finally won his World Series ring that year when the Dodgers beat the Yankees in six games.

Monday remained with the Dodgers until retiring in 1984. The next year, he began a broadcast career that continues today. Starting on a cable TV station doing pregame shows, he went to the Padres in 1989 and joined the Dodgers' crew in 1993, replacing the void left when Don Drysdale died suddenly. He still does color commentary for the team on their radio broadcasts.

Post/Card #200

This is the 200th post...so here's card #200:

Card #200 -- Billy Williams, Chicago Cubs

Interestingly, I'm in Chicago today for the National Sports Collector's Convention. That makes this post a nice coincidence.

Billy Williams was a lot of things to Cub fans during the 1960s and early 70s. He was an Iron Man, and he hit for average as well as power. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1961. He was a six-time All-Star. As it turned out, the only thing he wasn't able to do in Chicago was play in the postseason...so they traded him to Oakland after the '74 season.

Williams spent two years in Oakland as one of the early beneficiaries of the new DH rule. In 1975, he finally made his first postseason, but the A's fell to the Red Sox in three games. After retiring, he became a major league coach.

Billy Williams was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1987. While few fans debate his place in Cooperstown, his name and that of Fergie Jenkins are often brought up as reasons why Ron Santo hasn't been able to get in as well. Which I've never really understood.

A Man Nicknamed "Gimpy"

At the time this card was issued, this man had recently hurled a no-hitter:

Card #70 -- Milt Pappas, Chicago Cubs

His last name at birth was Pappastediosis.

Actually, the game on September 2, 1972 against the San Diego Padres had been a perfect game with two outs in the ninth inning, before umpire Bruce Froemming called two close pitches as balls to let Larry Stahl go to first. Pappas retired the next batter, but has always claimed that Froemming took away his perfect game.

Pappas originally came up with the Baltimore Orioles in 1957. In 1961, he tossed a fastball that would become Roger Maris's 59th home run. When the Orioles traded him to the Reds after the '65 season, they picked up Frank Robinson, which was eventually seen as a lopsided trade in favor of Baltimore. However, Pappas was still a good pitcher...it's just that Robinson's next season was a monster. He eventually went to Atlanta in 1968 and the Cubs in 1970. 1973 would be Pappas's final season.

Debuting at the age of 18, Milt Pappas was one of 16 pitchers in the liveball era to win 150 games before his 30th birthday. Of that list, only Greg Maddux has ever managed to get 300. He also hit 20 home runs during his career.

As for his nickname "Gimpy"...Pappas had knee surgery at 17, and was called that during his recuperation. Despite not being injury-prone during his major league career, the nickname manged to follow him.

A Moment of Levity

Candid shots are cool. Pictures that show the way players seem to be enjoying themselves before focusing on the game situation are cool. The ivy covering the Wrigley walls is cool. Here's a picture that shows all three:

Card #440 -- Glenn Beckert, Chicago Cubs

The catcher is Duke Sims, before he was traded away from the Dodgers. Since he only played in Wrigley for two games that season, this photo was taken either June 5 or 6, 1972. 1972 was the last of four straight years Beckert was named to the All-Star team, so at the time of this photo, he had every reason to be happy...at least until that umpire makes a questionable call.

Beckert's time in Chicago was predicated by a tragedy. When Ken Hubbs was killed in a plane crash in 1964, Beckert's minor league development was sped up. He finally came up in 1965 and was quickly made into the Cubs' starting second baseman. In all, he spent nine seasons at that position for the Cubs. He was a decent hitter and a very tough player to strike out. In fact, he led the league for the fewest strikeouts five times and was in the top three every year between 1966 and '72.

1973 would be his last season in Chicago. When Topps issued Beckert's card in 1974, he was still wearing his (non-airbrushed) Cubs uniform, but was one of the players who were available as either San Diego Padres or Washington N.L. He became a utility player for San Diego, hanging it up when he was released early in the '75 season.

After his playing days, he became a commodities trader. He's still well-regarded by the Wrigley faithful.

A Little "Pep"

This is an awesome example of 1970s style, even if the picture looks a little strange:

Card #580 -- Joe Pepitone, Chicago Cubs

Even though he spent three and a half seaons with the Cubs, Joe Pepitone looks strange to Yankee fans in a different set of pinstripes.


Pepitone was a member of the Yankees from 1962 through 1969. He was one of the last new members of the famed Dynasty years, and caused Moose Skowron to be traded to the Dodgers so he could take the first base job. However, Skowron won a Series ring in '63 against his old team, and Pepitone was the guy who made an error that let the winning run of the final game score. Jim Bouton mentioned him in Ball Four in a few funny stpries, saying he was vain and carried toupees to cover his balding head. The Yanks finally had enough of his antics and traded him to Houston after the 1969 season.

By the midway point of the 1973 season, Pepitone was no longer with the Cubs. Traded to Atlanta that May, he only played three games with the Braves before being released a month later. He then went over to Japan, where his name became slang. He would claim he was injured, but be found partying in nightclubs on days where he didn't have to bother going to work. Thus, his last name was slang for "goofing off."

Pepitone has had some very public problems in the years since he retired. He retuned to the Yankees as a hitting coach in 1982, only to be replaced by (then active player) Lou Piniella later that year. There were also some arrests for drunken driving and prison time for drug possession. He was given another chance by the Yankees after that, and still works for the team in a public relations capacity.

Cub #1

The title of this post has a double meaning. Not only was Jose Cardenal wearing uniform #1 for the Cubs, he also led the team in batting, doubles and stolen bases. Here is the man named Cubs Player of the Year for 1973:

Card #393 -- Jose Cardenal, Chicago Cubs

While he appears to be squaring for a bunt, Cardenal may simply be sneaking up on the camera. He gained a reputation for imaginative excuses. He was known to watch for bugs in the Wrigley Field ivy during long stretches of games. He once asked to sit out a game and told Whitey Lockman that crickets in his hotel room had kept him up all night. Another time he claimed his eyelid was stuck open.

Something tells me that if Jose Cardenal hadn't been a decent outfielder -- he definitely was -- some team might have kept him specifically for the comic relief.

Cardenal played for nine different teams between 1963-'80. After his playing career was finished, he became a coach. From 1996-'99, he won three World Series Rings (something he never managed as a player) as a member of the New York Yankee coaching staff.

Playing the Field Since 1876

...and unable to win it all since 1908.

(My sincere apologies to the Wrigley Faithful.)

The National League began play in 1876 with eight teams. Over the years, the original teams moved around or went insolvent. Less than 100 years later, this was the only one of those teams still playing in its original city:

Card #464 -- Chicago Cubs Team Card

Their beginnings actually predated the National League. Just as that league was built from the ashes of the collapse of the National Association in 1875,  Chicago's franchise was founded by William Hulbert in 1871. They were on track to win the 1871 pennant when the Great Chicago Fire destroyed the ballpark, incinerated all the team's possessions and kept them from playing again until 1874. So, the team was literally raised from the ashes itself.

In 1876, they were called the Chicago White Stockings. They won the very first pennant that year and were a dynasty in the early years of the game. They went through another dynasty era at the beginning of the 20th Century. However, after their 1908 team won the World Series...well, let's just say time has been frequently cruel to those who have rooted for the team since.

While many of those years have been marked by bad teams, there have been a few times where the team got close enough to win a title for their fans, only to lose in ways that have tested the tremendous size of those fans' hearts and stomachs. In 1969, they were a team of destiny...until another team decided to take that title for themselves. In 1984, a new generation of bleacher bums suffered through a tremendous season that ended in heartbreak (for them; fans of the Padres have much better memories). Then there was 2003.

As of right now, the Cubs still haven't even made it to the World Series since the end of World War Two. Their fans deserve to see them get there, however. While other fans of long-time drought teams like the White Sox and Red Sox celebrated their championship seasons, it went little noticed that the Cubs had been waiting even longer.

This team photo features the 1972 team. They finished with their best record since 1969; however, this time they weren't in the heat of the race, finishing in second but 11 games behind Pittsburgh. They began the season with Leo Durocher as manager but fired him midseason. The team began to systematically dismantle the veterans from the '69 season and the '73 Cubs finished below .500, setting the standard for the club for the rest of the decade and into the next. The Cubs didn't have another winning season until 1984.

Another Sad Passing

As time goes on, more of the players featured in the 1973 Topps set are going to pass away. It's a sad fact of life, but it's something that happens to every one of us. One player passed away on December 2nd:

Card #115 -- Ron Santo, Chicago Cubs


Time has been good to Ron Santo. Though not given a lot of attention for Hall of Fame balloting when he was initially eligible, his career has been given added attention over the years to have him considered one of those players who are definitely on the bubble. Such is the benefit of endearing yourself to the Wrigley faithful over the course of nearly 50 years.

While detractors say his career was far too short, Santo hid the fact that he was fighting type 1 diabetes during his playing days. In the 1960s, having a medical condition was seen in a much different light and methods of controlling glucose and insulin levels were rather primitive. Despite his health issues, he managed to become one of the premier 3rd basemen of the 1960s. Unfortunately, he played for a team that didn't get much opportunity for postseason glory, which hurt him.

1973 was Santo's last season with the Cubs as they slowly dismantled the team that almost won the division in 1969. He would be the first player to use the "5 and 10" rule given to players as part of the deal that stopped a player strike from '72 and allowed players who had spent 10 years in the majors (or 5 with their current team) to veto a proposed trade. The Cubs were planning on sending him to the Angels, but Santo didn't want to play on the West Coast. Instead, they sent him to the White Sox and let him remain in Chicago. After spending '74 on the Southside, Santo retired.

He would go on to become a broadcaster noted for his enthusiasm. While many announcers feel they need to put on a front and drop any slight traces of favoritism, Santo was unabashed in his loyalties to his former team. While he was known to cheer at the Cubs' highlights, he was just as quick to criticize their lowlights as well. This only endeared him to the fans.

So, will Ron Santo be elected to the Hall of Fame now that he won't be around to see his plaque? Time will tell. However, being a long-time broadcaster (and a definite booster) for one's previous team certainly helped Phil Rizzuto get inducted 38 years after he retired, so there's hope for Santo's fans.

(Update: Santo did get called to Cooperstown. It was announced on December 5, 2011 that he was elected into the Hall of Fame's 2012 class through its Veteran's Committee.)

Another "Impossible" Made Possible

Thanks to airbrushing, Topps could design cards that showed amazing feats...things that just couldn't happen. Like this card:

Card #645 -- Bob Locker, Chicago Cubs

Bob Locker appears to be wearing a Chicago Cubs uniform and is getting ready to deliver a pitch to...a Texas Ranger? In 1972, there was no interleague play. If you look closer, you'll see that the Cubs outfit has been painted on. The original uniform (including cap and stirrup socks) has also been painted white, its number removed, a "Cub" patch added to Locker's left sleeve...and look over toward that guy in the outfield. His uniform looks day-glo bright from being airbrushed, and the artist even painted a large "C" on his chest.

The back of the card mentions that Locker was a member of the A's in 1972 and had been traded during the offseason. He was traded in exchange for Bill North (featured here last June). Before the trade, Locker told A's owner charlie Finley that he wanted to come back to Oakland after one year in Chicago, which would allow him to keep his family from being uprooted. Despite a decent season relieving for the Cubs in 1973, Finley worked out an arrangement and got him back. This would lead to a Topps Traded card in '74; since he was returning to a team he'd already played for, it may be the only card in teh Traded set that year that wasn't airbrushed. However, surgery kept Locker from playing in '74. So, he would be traded back to the Cubs (this time, for Billy Williams) and played one final season in '75.

Aker's Aweigh...

Sorry for the bad pun in the title. It would have been perfect if the player was also a Navy veteran.

Here's a great picture, with the ivy-covered Wrigley Field walls as a backdrop:

Card #262 - Jack Aker, Chicago Cubs

Aker appears to be warming up for a possible trip to the mound (even if he's just posing for the Topps photographer). While it looks like the stadium's grounds crew was on strike that day, it's because of a little missing paper on my card. I do like the Cub logo patch on Aker's right sleeve, though.

Jack Aker was a closer in an era where they received little respect. He pitched in 495 games between 1964 and '74 but never started one. Instead, he was sent out late in the game, either to try and get the win at a stressful moment or to mop up when the starter had no gas left. In those days, closers' roles were appreciated by managers and fans who understood the finer points of the game, but casual fans (and baseball card collectors) were likely to see them as pitchers who couldn't last an entire game. It was a different time indeed.

Aker had come to the Cubs in 1972 after stints with the A's, the expansion Seattle Pilots and the New York Yankees. 1973 was probably his worst season statistically, so Aker split the '74 season between the Mets and Braves before managing in the minor leagues beginning in 1975. He later served as pitching coach for the Cleveland Indians.

In Jim Bouton's book Ball Four, Aker was mentioned as the Pilots' union representative due to his experience dealing with A's owner Charlie Finley during his days with that team. Bouton added that he was elected unanimously. The position didn't last long, as he was traded to the Yankees on May 20th of that year.

In Praise of the Backstop

1969 was almost a magical year for the Chicago Cubs faithful. Had it not been for the Miracle Mets, the Cubbies were poised to make the postseason for the first time since World War Two ended. Sadly, the Wrigley bleacher bums were denied and had to wait another 15 years to see a postseason game at their stadium.

The '69 Cubs had three Hall of Fame players (Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Fergie Jenkins) and another who just might join them in Cooperstown (Ron Santo). However, the man considered the team's leader is a guy who'll never enter the Hall of Fame without buying a ticket:

Card #21 -- Randy Hundley, Chicago Cubs

It's been said that the catcher is perhaps the most important person on the baseball field. Since he's calling the pitches, he controls the flow of the game. As the person who decides whether to have his ace throw a heater or try to get a batter to hit a weak grounder to force a double play, he's always thinking. Hundley was known among players as a capable defensive backstop who knew how to use his pitchers. As the late 1960s wore on, Hundley was an iron man behind the plate, catching at least 150 games each year from 1967-'69.

However, in 1970 he was injured in a home-plate collision with St. Louis's Carl Taylor. He was never the same. Injuries to his knees would keep bothering him for the rest of his career. In 1972, he would catch two no-hitters (by Burt Hooton and Milt Pappas), but 1973 would his last season with the Cubs before being traded to Minnesota. After a year with the Twins and another with the Padres, Hundley returned to Chicago for two more years but didn't get into a lot of games.

After retiring, Hundley began one of the first baseball "fantasy camps" that allowed fans to get a chance to suit up and play alongside professional players. His son Todd was also a major leaguer.