The Chicago Cubs have had some of the best players in MLB history throughout the years.
Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberg, Ron Santo, Greg Maddux, Sammy Sosa, and many, many more stars have proudly worn the Cubs uniform at some point, not to mention 2016 World Series champions Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, and others.
For Cubs fans in the sixties and seventies, there is one particular pitcher who has a place in their hearts: Ferguson Jenkins.
‘Fergie’, as he is commonly known around the game, had his statue revealed today, at Wrigley Field.
The unveiling of Fergie Jenkins’ statue… pic.twitter.com/hgucyUYyfi
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) May 20, 2022
Jenkins played for several teams (Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, and the Boston Red Sox), but he spent the best years of his Hall of Fame career with the Cubs.
A Phenomenal Career By A Cubs Legend
He played in Chicago from 1967 to 1973, and then to finish his career in 1982 and 1983.
He retired with a 284–226 win-loss record, a 3.34 ERA, and 3,192 career strikeouts in 4,500.2 innings.
He had a rubber arm, and was ready for huge workloads as a starter during his prime.
He surpassed 300 innings pitched five times during his career: you just won’t see that in today’s game, for better or for worse.
In his ten seasons with the Cubs, Jenkins went 167-132 with a 3.20 ERA and 154 complete games.
He struck out 2,038 batters as a Cub, too.
He has been a part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame since 1991 and his number 31 is retired by the Cubs.
It’s hard to think, besides Maddux, of a more influential pitcher in Cubs history.
His statue is well deserved, as younger fans can now learn about many of his accomplishments, including his 1971 Cy Young award.
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