Lindy McDaniel
20 Years in the Pen
Chapter Three
Those Loveable and Frustrating Cubs!
The following three pages are my favorite pictures in a Cub uniform.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”
Galatians 6:9
Chapter Three
Those Loveable and Frustrating Cubs!
I was traded to the Cubs after two disappointing years with the Cardinals. This trade involved Larry Jackson, Don Landrum and myself traded for George Altman and Don Cardwell. It turned out to be a good trade for the Cubs as I led the league in relief pitching in 1963 and Larry Jackson won 24 games for the Cubs in 1964. The Cub fans were very loyal, and it was great to play all day games in Wrigley Field.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”
Galatians 6:9
Chapter Three
Those Loveable and Frustrating Cubs!
It is hard to pose for a picture without a baseball.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”
Galatians 6:9
Chapter Three
Those Loveable and Frustrating Cubs!
How long can I hold this pose without falling over?
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”
Galatians 6:9
Chapter Three
Those Loveable and Frustrating Cubs!
The next photo shows Hall of Fame Billy Williams and Ernie Banks and I in the middle. I do not know if the towels are because of the heat or because the Cubs are “red hot” winning 4 in a row against the league leading Giants.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”
Galatians 6:9
Chapter Three
Those Loveable and Frustrating Cubs!
This is a photo of Billy Williams helping celebrate one of the highlights of my career. In the 10th inning I picked of Willie Mays off at second base. He was taken totally by surprise. He fined himself $500.00 when he reached the dugout. Afterward, I struck out Ed Bailey on three pitches to retire the side. The next photo shows what happened after that ...
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”
Galatians 6:9
Chapter Three
Those Loveable and Frustrating Cubs!
After picking off Willie Mays and retiring Ed Bailey. I led off in the bottom of the 10th and hit a home run. After I hit the home run to win the game, I was met at home plate by the entire team, manager and coaches. It was quite a moment for Cub fans.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”
Galatians 6:9
Chapter Three
Those Loveable and Frustrating Cubs!
This photo was taken at our home in St. Louis in the winter of 1964, after being awarded with my second “Fireman’s Award”. I was the first player to receive this award in 1960. This trophy is in the St. Louis Cardinal Museum in St. Louis.
The Cubs actually presented the 1963 trophy to me at Wrigley Field in 1964. The Cardinals never presented the 1960 trophy to me. It was left in my locker with a broken top. Perhaps they were not happy with my performance in 1961.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”
Galatians 6:9
Chapter Three
Those Loveable and Frustrating Cubs!
In the next photo I am accepting the “Fireman’s Award” trophy in Chicago presented by Chicago’s Fireman. I am sure when I was traded to the Cubs, the Cardinals were not expecting me to have such a big comeback. When I joined the Cubs, I was given an official “Chicago Fireman” card to be shown to the police if I was caught speeding. You will be relieved to know that I never had to show the card. Chicago has a different way of doing things.
The neat thing about the Cubs is that we could sneak in and out of cities and no one knew we were there. Think about the name “Cub”. Aren’t cubs small fuzzy things, quite adorable, but who is afraid of a cub?
My first day in a Cub uniform in spring training in Mesa, Arizona, the manager, Bob Kennedy gets up in the clubhouse after asking a young rookie to stand up in the very middle of the room, and says: “I want you guys to take a good look at this boy. Since before he was born was the last time the Cubs have been in first division.” I don’t know, but I think he was trying to say something. That year the Cubs did win more than they lost, but they still finished in 2nd division. But the ivy on the walls and the day games were really great.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”
Galatians 6:9
Chapter Three
Those Loveable and Frustrating Cubs!
In the photo on the next page I am receiving the Ken Hubs Memorial Award by the Chicago Chapter of Sportswriters of America. This was presented in 1971 when I was playing for the Yankees. My presenter was Jerome Holtzman, who always was a strong supporter and voted for my nomination to baseball’s Hall of Fame every time my name was presented for consideration. He is not seen in this photo.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”
Galatians 6:9
Chapter Three
Those Loveable and Frustrating Cubs!
Next are some of my Cub cards and stats.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”
Galatians 6:9
Chapter Three
Those Loveable and Frustrating Cubs!
Next are some of my Cub cards and stats.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”
Galatians 6:9
Chapter Three
Those Loveable and Frustrating Cubs!
This is a photo at a Cub’s Old Timer game.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”
Galatians 6:9
Copyright 2011 | LindyMcDaniel.com | Lindy McDaniel