JOBC Cubs Almanac--January 19

Today's Featured Cub: Willie Greene

On this day in 2000, the Cubs signed a slugging free agent third baseman to finally, once and for all, solve their long 3B woes.

His name was Willie Greene.

He batted .201 in more than 300 at bats and never played in the big leagues again.



Today's Featured Baseball Card: Ernie Banks

(Topps 1969 Baseball Card)

On this day in 1977, Ernie Banks was elected into Baseball's Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot. He was the only player that received enough votes that year. Al Lopez, Amos Rusie, and Joe Sewell were also voted in by the Veteran's Committee.

On the back of this baseball card, you'll see the stats from Ernie's resurgent 1968 season: 552 at bats, 136 hits, 27 doubles, 0 triples, 32 homers, 83 RBI and a .246 average. He was 37 years old at the time.




Cup of Coffee

Future Cub Ollie Hanson was born on this day in 1896. He got a very brief shot with the Cubs in 1921. Very brief. Eight days, to be precise. In those eight days he was the starting pitcher twice. In his first start on April 27, 1921 at Redland Field, he pitched pretty well against Cincinnati. He went the distance and gave up only two runs in a 2-1 loss. His second start was his only one at Wrigley Field (then known as Cubs Park). He gave up five earned runs in one inning and was yanked out of the game. Ollie never made it back to the big leagues.

He passed away in New Jersey in 1951.



Other Cubs Birthdays

~Ken Frailing 1948 (Cubs 1974-76)
He was part of the Ron Santo trade with the White Sox (along with Steve Stone and Steve Swisher). He was mainly used as a swing man, switching between the bullpen and starting. He did pitch one complete game.

~Anthony Young 1966 (Cubs 1994-95)
Anthony will always be remembered for his O-fer streak. From April 14, 1994--May 1, 1994, Anthony went 27 consecutive starts without a win.

~Phil Nevin 1971 (Cubs 2006)
He was a member of the Cubs for exactly two months, but during that time the former #1 overall pick in the draft did pretty well. He hit 12 homers filling in for the injured Derrek Lee.

~Kevin Coffman 1965 (Cubs 1990)
The Cubs got him in the Jody Davis trade, and things never really worked out in Chicago. His 11.26 ERA in 18.2 innings pretty much sums it up.

~Chris Stynes 1973 (Cubs 2002)
He had a couple of really good seasons as a third baseman for the Reds before coming to Chicago, but with the Cubs he hit only .241. He's more remembered for his goggles than his hitting stroke.

~Amaury Telemaco 1974 (Cubs 1996-1998)
He did manage to pitch in the big leagues for nine seasons, but if you look at his stats, you have to wonder how he pulled it off. His lifetime ERA is 4.94.



A/V Club

Ernie was elected into the Hall of Fame on this day in 1977, but he received an even higher honor in November of 2013. He won the Presidential Medal of Freedom.