JOBC Cubs Almanac--January 6

Today's Featured Cub: Clyde Beck

On this day in 1900, Clyde Beck was born. Beck was a backup infielder for the Cubs for most of his five year Cubs career (1926-1930). He started nearly 90 games for them in the 1928 season, and then went back to the bench for the pennant winning 1929 season. The highlight of his career was probably May 12, 1930. The Cubs hit four homers in the seventh inning that day and were only the second team in history to do it. Clyde Jersey Beck hit the record-tying HR.

Beck hit a career-high six HR that season but batted only .213, 90 points below the league average. The Cubs shipped him off to Cincinnati after the season, and that's where he played his final year in the big leagues.

He died in 1988 in his native California.


Today's Featured Baseball Card: Lee Walls

(1958 Lee Walls Topps Baseball Card)

Lee Walls was born on this day in 1933. The Cubs acquired him (and Dale Long) from the Pirates for Gene Baker and Dee Fondy, and Walls had a couple of good years for the Cubs. In 1957 he hit for the cycle in a game against the Reds. In 1958 he had his best big league season and was named to the All-Star team.

On the back of this baseball card, you'd get the following stats from his 1957 season: 366 at bats, 88 hits, 10 doubles, 5 triples, 6 homers, 33 RBI, and a .240 batting average.




Nickname of the Day: Jersey

Clyde Beck was known as Jersey by his Cubs teammates.




A/V Club

This is a real treat. A Vin Scully called game between the 1957 Cubs (including Lee Walls) and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. Sandy Koufax is pitching for the Dodgers and Dick Drott for the Cubs. There's a wonderful lazy summertime feel to the broadcast, and Vin Scully is a master communicator.