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1959 Chicago Cubs Season
The 1959 Chicago Cubs season was the 88th season of the Chicago Cubs franchise, the 84th in the National League and the 44th at Wrigley Field. The Cubs tied the Cincinnati Reds for fifth in the National League with a record of 74–80, thirteen games behind the NL and World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Offseason * January 23, 1959: Jim Bolger and John Briggs were traded by the Cubs to the Cleveland Indians for Earl Averill and Morrie Martin. * March 9, 1959: Chuck Tanner was traded by the Cubs to the Boston Red Sox for Bob Smith. * Prior to 1959 season: Dick Burwell was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cubs. Regular season Ernie Banks became the first shortstop in the history of the NL to win the MVP award in back to back seasons. One of baseball history's weirdest plays took place on June 30, 1959, when the St. Louis Cardinals played the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Stan Musial was at the plate facing Bob Anderson with a count of 3–1. Anderson's next pitch was ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is the home of the Chicago Cubs, one of the city's two MLB franchises. It first opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park for Charles Weeghman's Chicago Whales of the Federal League, which folded after the 1915 baseball season. The Cubs played their first home game at the park on April 20, 1916, defeating the Cincinnati Reds 7–6 in 11 innings. Chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. of the Wrigley Company acquired the Cubs in 1921. It was named Cubs Park from 1920 to 1926, before being renamed Wrigley Field in 1927. The current seating capacity is 41,649. It is actually the second stadium to be named Wrigley Field, as a Los Angeles ballpark with the same name opened in 1925. In the North Side community area of Lakeview in the Wrigleyville neighborhood, Wrigley Field is on an irregular block bounded by Clark and Addison streets to the west and south, and Waveland and Sheffield ave ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Briggs (baseball)
Johnathan Tift Briggs (January 24, 1934 – December 25, 2018) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for all or parts of five seasons for the Chicago Cubs (1956–58), Cleveland Indians (1959–60), and Kansas City Athletics (1960). Born in Natoma, a district of Folsom, California, the right-hander was listed as tall and . Briggs initially signed with his hometown team, the Sacramento Solons of the Open-Classification Pacific Coast League, in 1952. In 1954, he led the Class A Western International League in strikeouts (233) and earned run average (2.50) and won 20 of 28 decisions as a member of the Salem Senators. After two three-game trials with the Cubs in 1956 and 1957, he rejoined the Cubs in the midst of the 1958 campaign and took a spot in their starting rotation. He split ten decisions in 20 games pitched (with 17 starts) and put up an ERA of 4.52. He threw what would be his only MLB shutout on June 24, scattering eight hi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vic Delmore
Victor "Deacon" Delmore (October 21, 1915 – June 10, 1960) was a baseball umpire who worked in the National League from 1956 to 1959. He is perhaps best known for his involvement in an incident during a 1959 game where two baseballs were in play at the same time. Career From 1935 to 1942, Delmore pitched in the minor leagues, most notably with the Hopkinsville Hoppers in 1937. His professional umpiring career began in 1948 in the KITTY League. He worked in the Southern Association from 1949 to 1955. Following his promotion to the National League in 1956, he worked a total of 618 games through the 1959 season. During those four seasons, he issued 14 ejections, including Cincinnati Reds manager Birdie Tebbetts three times. Incident Delmore was involved in one of the most bizarre plays in baseball history, which happened during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 30, 1959. With the Cardinals leading 2–1 in the top of the fourth ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sammy Taylor (baseball)
Samuel Douglas Taylor (February 27, 1933 – October 8, 2019) was an American professional baseball player, a Major League catcher who appeared in 473 games over six seasons from 1958 to 1963 for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians. The left-handed-batting Taylor was listed as tall and . Signed by the Milwaukee Braves in 1956, Taylor was traded with Taylor Phillips to the Cubs for Eddie Haas, Don Kaiser and Bob Rush on December 5, 1957. He made his big league debut on April 20, 1958 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Appearing as a pinch hitter for Gene Fodge, he drew a walk in his first plate appearance. Overall, Taylor appeared in 96 games in 1958, hitting .259 with 78 hits, six home runs and 36 RBI. In 110 games in 1959, Taylor hit .269 with 13 home runs and 43 runs batted in in 110 games. His 13 intentional walks were the fourth most that season. Taylor was involved in a rather peculiar situation in a game on June 30 of that year, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bob Anderson (baseball)
Robert Carl Anderson (September 29, 1935 – March 12, 2015) was an American professional baseball player and right-handed pitcher who appeared in 246 games in Major League Baseball (MLB) between and for the Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers. Born in East Chicago, Indiana, he graduated from Hammond High School and attended both Michigan State University and Western Michigan University. He stood tall and weighed during his active career. Career overview Anderson signed with Chicago in 1954 and reached the Open-Classification Pacific Coast League in 1956 as a member of the Cubs' top farm team, the Los Angeles Angels. He had a stellar season as a relief pitcher, working in 70 games and winning a dozen, for the PCL champion Angels. The following year, he was recalled by the Cubs in midyear and spent parts of 1957 and as a member of the Cubs' bullpen corps and spot starter. In , he made the Cubs' staff for good and became a full-time starting pitcher, posting a 21–24 record ove ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stan Musial
Stanley Frank Musial (; born Stanislaw Franciszek Musial; November 21, 1920 – January 19, 2013), nicknamed "Stan the Man", was an American baseball outfielder and first baseman. Widely considered to be one of the greatest and most consistent hitters in baseball history,"Stan Musial: An American Life" Amazon.com, review of George Vecsey's "Stan Musial: An American Life" (: May 10, 2011). Retrieved May 18, 2011 Musial spent 22 seasons in (MLB), playing for the [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball or softball fielding position between second and third base, which is considered to be among the most demanding defensive positions. Historically the position was assigned to defensive specialists who were typically poor at batting and were often placed at the bottom of the batting order. Today, shortstops are often able to hit well and many are placed at the top of the lineup. In the numbering system used by scorers to record defensive plays, the shortstop is assigned the number 6. More hit balls go to the shortstop than to any other position, as there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the ball slightly. Like a second baseman, a shortstop must be agile, for example when performing a 4-6-3 double play. Also, like a third baseman, the shortstop fields balls hit to the left side of the infield, where a strong arm is needed to throw out a batter-runner befo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ernie Banks
Ernest Banks (January 31, 1931 – January 23, 2015), nicknamed "Mr. Cub" and "Mr. Sunshine", was an American professional baseball player who starred in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs between 1953 and 1971. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977, and was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999. Banks is regarded by some as one of the greatest players of all time.Ernie Banks, the Eternally Hopeful Mr. Cub, Dies at 83 ''The New York Times''. January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2015. [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dick Burwell
Richard Matthew Burwell (January 23, 1940 – May 1, 2023) was an American professional baseball pitcher. A right-hander, Burwell pitched parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball, 1960 and 1961, for the Chicago Cubs. The native of Alton, Illinois, attended Illinois Wesleyan University. He was listed as tall and . Burwell's pro career lasted for seven years (1959–1965), all in the Cubs' organization. He appeared in a total of five major league games, including one start, his maiden MLB appearance on September 13, 1960, against the Cincinnati Reds at Crosley Field. Burwell allowed six earned runs in five innings pitched on six hits (including home runs by Gordy Coleman and Eddie Kasko) and three bases on balls. He left the game for a pinch hitter with the Cubs trailing 6–4. However, he was not charged with the loss: the Cubs tied the score at six after Burwell's exit, and the decisive run in Chicago's 8–6 defeat was charged to relief pitcher Don Elston. In Burwell' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bob Smith (pitcher Born 1927)
Robert Walkup Smith (May 13, 1928 – June 23, 2003), nicknamed "Riverboat", was an American professional baseball baseball player, player. He was a left-handed pitcher who appeared in 30 games pitched, games in the Major League Baseball, Major Leagues over parts of 1958 and 1959 for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians. He was listed as tall and , and attended the University of Missouri. Smith fashioned a 13-season (1951–63) professional career and won 94 games in minor league baseball. He earned his nickname from San Francisco baseball writer Bob Stevens (sportswriter), Bob Stevens for his coolness and finesse under fire—not unlike a riverboat gambler—while he was a member of 1956–57 San Francisco Seals (baseball), San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League. One-third of Smith's 30 MLB appearances came as a starting pitcher. He earned his only complete game victory as a rookie with the Red Sox on May 20, 1958, at Cleveland Stadium, throwing ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox' home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox" name was chosen by the team owner, John I. Taylor, , following the lead of previous teams that had been known as the "Boston Red Stockings," including the Boston Braves (now the Atlanta Braves). The team has won nine World Series championships, tied for the third-most of any MLB team, and has played in 13 World Series. Their most recent World Series appearance and win was in . In addition, they won the American League pennant, but were not able to defend their 1903 World Series championship when the New York Giants refused to participate in the 1904 World Series. The Red Sox were a dominant team in the new league, defeating the Pittsburgh Pira ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chuck Tanner
Charles William Tanner (July 4, 1928February 11, 2011) was an American professional baseball player and manager. A left fielder and pinch hitter who appeared in 396 games in Major League Baseball between 1955 and 1962, he was known for his unwavering confidence and infectious optimism. As a manager for all or parts of 19 seasons, he led the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series championship in . In his last baseball job, he served as a senior advisor to Pirates general manager Neal Huntington. Playing career A left-handed batter and thrower, Tanner signed his first professional baseball contract with the Boston Braves. He played for eight seasons (1955–1962) for four teams: the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Angels. In 396 games played, Tanner batted .261 with 21 home runs. While with the Braves, Tanner hit a home run off the first pitch in his first career at-bat on April 12, 1955. He is the only Braves player to hit a home run in his first ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
