82 Comments - AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:11 pm: Growing up it was Mark Grace, as I was a first basemen. Although he was before my time, Ron Santo holds a special place in my heart because of how much time my dad and I spent listening to him on the radio. Now, it’s Rizzo, easily. All time though…tough. Might have to go with Gracie. Hard to lift anyone above your childhood idols. - ? - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:17 pm: I was born a few blocks from wrigley field? Huh? - Huh? - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:18 pm: Ernie Banks - consummate gentleman. - A guy - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:20 pm: Easy one. Mr. Cub; Ernie Banks. Had nothing to do with when he played, though he was a joy to watch. It was well into his later years that he regularly visited people on the Hospice floor at Northwestern where he too was being treated with Chemo. He stopped to see everyone with a smile that lit up your entire realm, put his hands on the people he visited and spent a few minutes with them. His laugh was playful and echoed through the entire floor. People could hear him and know they were going to get a visit when he was there. Like on the field; he touched every base and every person there. Pictures, autographs, whatever you wanted. I’ve often wondered collectively how many hours, days and months he added to lives with a presence he knew was a gift from God. And he understood how to use it and that he was called on to do so. I liked a lot of Cubs over many decades, despite being a White Sox fan. I’ve loved one: Ernie Banks. - ? - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:20 pm: Also I hope this parade/rally works out, but w/ cps already off it is a potential disaster, how many people are they expecting? - Cubs in '16 - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:20 pm: Mine is Ryno. He was so consistently good for such a long time. Fundamentally, he was nearly flawless on defense. I taught my boys how to play infield in part by showing them video of Ryno. He was a consummate professional and money in the clutch. - Six Degrees of Separation x - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:23 pm: Andre Dawson, a jewel among thorns, won NL MVP while playing for a last-place team. Many worthy candidates, though. These new Cubs will be revered for a long time, cause they finally did it. - James the Intolerant - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:28 pm: As Rahm would say, Ron Santos /s - Terry Salad - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:31 pm: Don Kessinger — old school. Man, I can still name that entire lineup from memory. - VanillaMan - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:31 pm: That is an impossible question. Lord, there are so many great players. I’d just choose Ryno because he was the brightest star during the 1980s, a great player, a great manager and someone I admire. - Fred Bird - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:35 pm: Lou Brock!! - Cubs in '16 - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:40 pm: Fred Bird, that’s cold man. lol - illini - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:45 pm: I know this is not on anyone’s radar, but as a Cards fan, my thoughts turn to Lee Smith - one of the best relief pitchers/closers of years past that we got in a trade with the Cubs. More to the post, Ernie Banks is a player I remember watching in St. Louis. Quite a gem. - The Muse - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:46 pm: I’m not old enough to have ever seen him play, but I loved Ron Santo. To battle diabetes the way he did when it was a much tougher disease to manage, and to be fortunate enough to here him live and die on every play in the broadcast booth was special. Go Cubs!! - Jon - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:48 pm: My god I’ve become so politicized my immediate thought was that the three Cubs mentioned played in the 60’s and 70’s so the proclamation must be geared toward the Republican base… - illini - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:49 pm: @FredBird - be considerate. My first thought as well - but totally inappropriate to this post. Give the Cubs fans the respect they now deserve. But there is always next year and I live this great rivalry. - SWHC - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:50 pm: Always loved Shawon Dunston, not sure why, just did. Does anyone know can we get/buy one of the fancy versions of the proclamations? - Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:52 pm: Not a Cubs fan but watched a lot of their games as a kid. Not as snarky as the Brock thing above, but I’ll go with *Harry voice* “Derrick May, because MAY spelled backwards is YAM!!” - M Python - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:52 pm: Don’t have one. Go White Sox - Old Shepherd - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:53 pm: @illini - You are right. That was inconsiderate of FredBird and in poor taste. I’ll go with Ernie Broglio. - Flippy - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:56 pm: Iván DeJesús, shortstop. He always made those backhand grabs then leaping in the air to fire to first for the out. We always mimicked him when we played ball as kids. - RNUG - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:56 pm: Too many great choices, but I’ll have to go with the one I saw live the most - Ryno - Silent Budgeteer - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:57 pm: There are so many players, but I would give the nod to Ron Santo at this point because of his love for the game itself. Yes, it was his job and he got paid (and we know what the salaries were like in those days), but he continued to love the game after he retired. You could hear it every time he spoke about the team: he was as much or more of a fan than he was a player. Multiple points to Ernie Banks, though; I’d almost have to declare a tie, if that were allowed. And @FredBird, I have a baseball card with rookie Lou Brock in his Cubs uniform… - Soccermom - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:59 pm: Off topic, but IT IS KILLING ME that I didn’t get to write that proclamation. On so many levels… - Silent Budgeteer - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:00 pm: And the governor forgot to mention Jack Brickhouse? For shame… - Wensicia - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:01 pm: Growing up I was a huge fan of all the ‘69 stars, so I can’t single out a single player. But the consummate Cubs baseball player has to be Ryne Sandberg. He had it all, defense and offense, and played the game like it’s supposed to be played, giving your all for the best performance day after day. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:03 pm: Rich said “Favorite” so I can only pick one… Ryne Sandberg. Ryne redefined the 2nd Base position, he was a true “5 Tool” player, and given his size and agility it was impossible to miss him in the infield. As a player, he was quiet, but his glove and bat made up for his silent voice. Watching him play the position, rarely was he out of place and his soft hands made turning two all but routine when the challenge was anything but. Sandberg had a great eye at the plate, hitting to all fields and hitting for power everywhere too. It was Sandberg that kids emulated with his perfect hitting stance, and the “head down” driving swings when contact was made. The 1984 Cubs, the Bruce Sutter Game, the countless hold glove seasons and silver bat awards allowed Sandberg to eclipse 2nd basemen that played before him. Far too many Wrigley memories of Sandberg, but his I know he’s my favorite, is that of all my “favorites” Sandberg at the plate, I made sure when I was at a game, I never missed. - The_Equalizer - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:05 pm: Darn it, someone beat me to Broglio. Heh. Seriously though, favorite is probably Mark Grace, he just seemed/seems like a cool, fun guy. - illini - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:07 pm: @OldShepherd - thanks for your comment, but the Broglio reference probably touches some raw nerves as well. - Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:08 pm: Kyle Farnsworth he is a BA - fyi - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:09 pm: Terry Salad - and here I thought I’d be the only one to name Don Kessinger. He worked with my Dad in Chicago in Army recruiting and was a great guy. A true gentleman. - @MisterJayEm - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:14 pm: Johnny Evers. During the 1908 Cubs-Giants pennant race, New York’s Al Bridwell hit an apparent game-winning single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. As was customary in those days, Fred Merkle, the Giants’ baserunner on first, retired to the clubhouse without touching second base. Cubs’ second baseman Johnny Evers called for the ball and held it aloft as he stepped on second base. The umpire ruled Merkle forced out at second. Given the irregularity of the call — custom dictated one thing, but the rules said another — the critical nature of the game and the animosity between the Cubs and Giants, the umpire’s verdict was controversial. Eventually, the National League president ruled the game a tie, to be replayed if it had any impact on the pennant race. And, of course, it did. The two teams ended the regular season deadlocked for first place. The Cubs then returned to New York for a one-game playoff, winning 4-2 to secure their third consecutive NL pennant. The then Cubs went on to win the 1908 World Series, with Evers batting .350 (7-for-20). By contrast, Fred Merkle’s baserunning error became known as “Merkle’s Boner” — and for the rest of Merkle’s life he carried the nickname of “Bonehead”. Evers kept his team’s chances alive by knowing the rules, by keeping his head under pressure, and by ruthlessly exploiting his opponent’s carelessness. With Johnny Evers checking the ballot petitions, poor ol’ Merkle’s candidacy would never get off the ground. – MrJM - Bogey Golfer - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:18 pm: Was a Cub fan for one year. Then I read the baseball standing and turned to the Sox. That said #14 was a class act and a tremendous player - when he was NL MVP he was a shortstop. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:19 pm: Jose Cardenal. As a rural white kid, I was fascinated by his huge “afro” haircut and how his cap would always fly off when he chased a fly ball. I wanted to be as cool and as talented as Jose Cardenal. - @MisterJayEm - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:19 pm: P.S. Merkle’s Bar & Grill, located one block south of Wrigley Field, is named after Fred Merkle. – MrJM - Earnest - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:20 pm: Rick Reuschel. He did not have a typical build for a pitcher, certainly, but I liked his no-frills style. Plus, he wasn’t a bad batter and was a good base-runner who could steal bases. Not sure why he stands out in my memory today over other faves like Mark Grace, Ryne Sandberg or Greg Maddux, among others. - Stooges - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:21 pm: Ryne Sandberg. He would get fooled on a curve ball, almost step out when he wasn’t expecting one, and then hit the next curve onto the street. Quiet excellence that is sorely missed today. - Papa2008 - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:24 pm: Jerry Morales: Making all the basket catches in the outfield. Perfect example of how not to do it. Loved him. - Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:30 pm: Tuffy Rhodes - Jake From Elwood - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:30 pm: I feel like I have to pick a current guy, so I will go with Anthony Rizzo. The guy is a power hitter and great defender, articulate, bright, and polite. Plus he was on the 2016 WORLD SERIES CHAMPION team. - Norseman - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:33 pm: Mr. Cub. No question. Ernie is now saying, let’s win two … and more! - Blue dog dem - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:34 pm: Soon to be Cardinal Jake Arrietta is my new favorite. 6 yrs/ $180 mil - jerry 101 - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:36 pm: Mordecai Brown! Lost games 1 and the decisive game 6 (7 runs in 2 innings!) to the Southsiders! (of course, this was when the cubs were the westsiders) - illini - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:43 pm: @BlueDog - do you know something that has been off the radar as far as I can determine? - Blue dog dem - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:45 pm: Just some stuff i might nave heard on KMOX - Andy Raucci - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:50 pm: Phil Cavaretta. He played first base for the Cubs from 1934 to 1953, and he manage them from 1951-53. And he then played for the White Sox. In the Cubs World Series year of 1945, he won the national league’s batting championship with a .355 average. He was the National League’s MVP that year. When he died in 2010, he had been the last living player to play against Babe Ruth. - Steve Rogers - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 5:01 pm: Dave Kingman. I’m a big Cards fan, but man was it fun to see the long ball before the advent of the steroid era. His best seasons were the few he spent in Chicago. - allknowingmasterofracoondom - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 5:05 pm: Dave Kingman. An absolute monster in so many ways. - Casual observer - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 5:10 pm: Ryne Sandburg’s induction speech at the hall of fame was as masterful as his play on the field. His lecture on respecting the integrity of the game is a must watch for any kid, at any sport, aspiring to get to the bigs. - wordslinger - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 5:10 pm: I think mine is on this team. They won the series, after all. Many young candidates, time will tell who it might be. Until then, Dawson for his amazing MVP year on a last-place team. That’s nearly impossible. The next year, Sweet Lou, managing the Reds, intentionally walked him five times in one game. That’s respect and fear. - JS Mill - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 5:14 pm: The Hawk- Andre Dawson- great player, great person, wanted to play for the cubs so bad he signed a blank contract. - Anon221 - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 5:15 pm: Third try. One name. Ryno. - Touré's Latte - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 5:17 pm: Andre Dawson for his grace and attitude. Cursed to rot on some terrible teams, he showed up every day ready to quietly play his heart out. Besides the favs, I had a special place in my heart for Paul Popovich, the supersub. - Responsa - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 5:17 pm: Ernie Banks. A total class act on and off the field. After his playing days were over you could hire him to attend corporate or personal dinners and events to schmooze with the attendees. Out of towners knew of his great career and admired Ernie almost as much as locals and were always thrilled to be able to get an autograph and photos taken with him as he casually mingled in the group. He was always a hit. He had a great laugh and smile, always seemed to be so comfortable and made others comfortable even even though he was so famous. Tho I am a White Sox fan one of my prized baseball related possessions is a large photo of me ‘n Ernie at one of these events. That one was from the year he was saying to everybody within earshot, “Cubs gonna be second to none in eighty one. ” He was an optimist. - Gregory Tejeda - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 5:22 pm: Jose Cardenal, who was one of the few Cubs ballplayers I ever had much use for. Although I have to confess to thinking that Carmen Fanzone and his trumpet was a colorful character. -30- - Rabid - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 5:24 pm: I have to go with Stan Hack would listen to him talk baseball in Grand Detour made a big impression even though my grandpa would take me to see Mr Sunshine - Loki - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 5:37 pm: Fergie Jenkins. Won 20 or more games six years in a row for Cubs, 1967 - 1972. Averaged 248 strikeouts over those same six years. Averaged 243 innings per year over 19 year career. - Dome Gnome - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 5:38 pm: Ernie Banks, for his ability to recount stories and for his love of the game. - Joe M - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 5:38 pm: Lou Brock! - walker - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 6:00 pm: Fergie Jenkins. Never let up. Never backed down. - Clark - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 6:02 pm: Sammy Sosa. Don’t really care what happened at the end of his career, but the McGuire/Sosa home run battle was what really hooked me onto the team. - jon r - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 6:09 pm: Carlos Marmol, when he was bad he was really bad…. also Mitch Williams , first game as cub walked bases loaded, only to strike out the sides (cubs fan till 1984 then went south side!) - Team Sleep - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 6:40 pm: Lee Smith I know a lot of Cubs fans are probably not fans but I loved watching him pitch. He was big, powerful and threw as hard as anyone I have watched then or now. He also ushered in the current closer “stereotype” of an imposing dude who never backed down from anyone or any situation and had a good, extroverted personality. Jon Lester is my second but that has more to do with the fact that he already won my Red Sox two titles before Jon Henry insulted him with a low ball offer. - illini - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 6:55 pm: @TeamSleep - thanks for concurring with my first post. He terrified me when he was a Cub but I admired him when a member of the Cards. Great closer! - Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 7:58 pm: Leon Durham, for letting that grounder through the wickets. - Joe M - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 8:09 pm: Hall of Famer, Bruce Sutter. He opened my eyes to the importance of a closer. Lead the National League in saves five times, two as a Cub. Won the NL’s Cy Young Award, as a Cub. Was only the fourth relief pitcher to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. - Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 8:36 pm: Loved Jose Cardinal when I was a kid. I was at games enough that I literally believed that the national anthem was being sung to *him*. “Jose, can you see?…”. I was a crestfallen 5 year old when I found out the truth - ZC - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 9:05 pm: He’s actually not my fave fave, but I want to give an honorable mention to Derrek Lee, who was a great player and just a classy act and role model for years when the Cubbies were in the pre-Epstein wilderness. - Team Sleep - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 9:08 pm: Illini - sorry for not seeing your post but Smith was certainly one of a kind. He also pitched for Red Sox. The man was a beast. He held the saves record for quite a while. - Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 9:08 pm: I’m shocked. No mention of Billy Williams so far. He was the Iron Man of baseball in his day and the dude could hit. - hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 9:22 pm: Andre Dawson. I loved the way he stood when he batted, even though I learned in Little League you weren’t supposed to. I thought Hawk was a cool nickname. And he was a great all-around player. Plus, everybody I knew loved Ryne Sandberg already so he didn’t need me as a fan as much. - Reformed - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 9:41 pm: Marla Collins - Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 10:17 pm: As a older fan I seen many- #14 Ernie Banks had the best wrist action I ever seen. He was a great guy with a super attitude - Nothin's easy... - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 10:24 pm: MLB 2017 opening day 4/2/17: Cubs @ Cardinals. Here we go! No excuses, anymore. - Lobo y Olla - Friday, Nov 4, 16 @ 6:50 am: Lee Elia. The man was an orator. I still laugh at his tirade. - gdubya - Friday, Nov 4, 16 @ 8:16 am: Steve Bartman - Politix - Friday, Nov 4, 16 @ 8:41 am: Mine is Ron Santo. I’m too young to have ever seen him play but I enjoyed him so much on radio that to me, he is by far the greatest Cub of all time and I’m sad he didn’t get to experience this with us. - Madigan's Lapdog - Friday, Nov 4, 16 @ 8:59 am: Ernie Banks of course. When listening to games on the radio as a kid and heard his name coming up to bat, I got extra excited and had to stop and really listen. This World Series win has just made my year. - illinoised - Friday, Nov 4, 16 @ 9:02 am: This Cardinal fan’s favorite Cub is Ernie Banks. - Vote Quimby! - Friday, Nov 4, 16 @ 9:10 am: Ernie Banks, although I’m too young to ever see him play. Same for Ron Santo but hearing him on the radio he bled Cubbie Blue! Fergie Jenkins primarily for one game in the 70s I was watching on WGN and they showed him lighting up a cig in the dugout after he was pulled. All time favorite: Mark Grace for his “slump busting” abilities. - Chicago Taxpayer - Friday, Nov 4, 16 @ 9:22 am: Fergie Jenkins. His pitcher’s duals with Bob Gibson were classics. - Delimma - Friday, Nov 4, 16 @ 9:25 am: OMG…. That’s hilarious and horrible at the same time –> - gdubya - Friday, Nov 4, 16 @ 8:16 am: Steve Bartman Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.