WEBVTT 00:00:01.159 --> 00:00:04.440 This is Retro Sports Radio. Visit RetroSeasons 00:00:04.440 --> 00:00:13.900 .com for more sports history. The Chicago Cubs 00:00:13.900 --> 00:00:17.339 are on the air. Here's the one and two pitch 00:00:17.339 --> 00:00:19.440 to Billy Williams. A swing and a long drive. 00:00:19.660 --> 00:00:22.940 Deep to right center. Well hit. Center fielder 00:00:22.940 --> 00:00:27.760 at the wall. Hold run. Hold run. Hold. Lines 00:00:27.760 --> 00:00:32.009 up again. It rolls in. Brickell swings to Bounder. 00:00:32.009 --> 00:00:33.570 Grimm leaps into the air, gets it, and throws 00:00:33.570 --> 00:00:35.929 to the plate. And they trap the runner between 00:00:35.929 --> 00:00:38.490 third and home. And Hartnett runs up and tags 00:00:38.490 --> 00:00:40.770 him and turns. But Brickell hadn't got past first 00:00:40.770 --> 00:00:44.750 base. A very, very nice play by Hartnett. Billy 00:00:44.750 --> 00:00:47.250 Jurgis dives for the ball. Now he flips it to 00:00:47.250 --> 00:00:49.369 Bounder at second base. It's out. Very close, 00:00:49.530 --> 00:00:52.950 but what a play. The pitch to Kessinger. Swing 00:00:52.950 --> 00:00:54.829 and a fly ball to deep center field. Matty Alou 00:00:54.829 --> 00:00:57.310 is going back. It's over his head. It's going 00:00:57.310 --> 00:01:00.689 to the wall. Kissinger around second base. Mattie 00:01:00.689 --> 00:01:02.810 Lowe hasn't got it in yet. He's going to try. 00:01:03.189 --> 00:01:05.890 He's going to try. Here's a throw for the shortstop. 00:01:05.989 --> 00:01:11.989 He scores. An inside to park home run. He swings. 00:01:12.069 --> 00:01:13.650 Brown ball right side. Beckert ranging part of 00:01:13.650 --> 00:01:16.390 his left. He throws it. Throws the first. He's 00:01:16.390 --> 00:01:22.170 ready. And a save by Beckert. Incredible. First 00:01:22.170 --> 00:01:24.329 game drive at the end of the outfield drive. 00:01:24.730 --> 00:01:27.230 Love that ball. One -handed world and thrill 00:01:27.230 --> 00:01:45.439 in a flash. Yes, few teams in all of sports have 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:48.019 shared with their fans more wild, wonderful, 00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:50.620 and memorable moments than the team that evolved 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:53.219 from the Chicago White Stockings, Colts, and 00:01:53.219 --> 00:01:58.680 Orphans into the Chicago Cubs. Attention. Attention, 00:01:58.959 --> 00:02:02.299 please. Have your pencil and scorecards ready, 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:06.099 and I'll give you the correct lineup for today's 00:02:06.099 --> 00:02:11.379 ballgame. The battery for the Cubs. Bush and 00:02:11.379 --> 00:02:15.180 Hartnett. Batting order. Herman, second base. 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:23.740 English, third base. Kyler, right field. Stevenson, 00:02:23.819 --> 00:02:31.400 left field. Center field. Grimm, first base. 00:02:32.780 --> 00:02:38.740 Hartnett, the catcher. Koenig, shortstop. And 00:02:38.740 --> 00:02:43.280 Bush, the pitcher. For the Cubs today, it's going 00:02:43.280 --> 00:02:46.539 to be Stan Hack at third base. Johnson will play 00:02:46.539 --> 00:02:49.340 second. Peanuts Lowry will be in left field. 00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:53.400 Phil Cabaretta at first base. Andy Pathko in 00:02:53.400 --> 00:02:56.280 center field. Bill Nicholson in right field. 00:02:56.979 --> 00:02:59.800 Livingston will do the catching. Hughes is going 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:03.259 to play shortstop. And the cup pitcher, big right 00:03:03.259 --> 00:03:07.080 -hander Claude Passard. Some 1 ,300 players have 00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:09.120 worn the uniform of the Chicago National League 00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:11.580 Ball Club. They date back to the team that helped 00:03:11.580 --> 00:03:15.780 organize the league in 1876. Chicago scored assorted 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:18.879 baseball firsts in the 1870s. The first team 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:22.560 to be shut out was 9 -0 New York. The first team 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:25.560 to post a 1 -0 shutout. The first team to be 00:03:25.560 --> 00:03:28.259 victimized by a no -hit -no -run game, the pitcher, 00:03:28.379 --> 00:03:31.620 Philadelphia's Joe Borden. Baseball had a saying 00:03:31.620 --> 00:03:34.979 in those days, if a team was shut out, it was 00:03:34.979 --> 00:03:40.520 Chicago'd. On May 2, 1917, Jim Hippo Vaughn of 00:03:40.520 --> 00:03:42.620 the Cubs and Cincinnati's Fred Toney matched 00:03:42.620 --> 00:03:45.659 nine innings of hitless ball in baseball's greatest 00:03:45.659 --> 00:03:49.259 pitching duel. But it will be 38 years before 00:03:49.259 --> 00:03:52.120 Cub fans experience another no -hitter in Chicago. 00:03:58.479 --> 00:04:03.939 May 12, 1955. Sam Toothpick Jones holds the Pirates' 00:04:03.939 --> 00:04:06.819 hit list through eight innings, but opens the 00:04:06.819 --> 00:04:10.259 ninth by walking Gene Freese, Preston Ward, and 00:04:10.259 --> 00:04:15.240 Tom Saffel. Base is loaded. Nobody out. After 00:04:15.240 --> 00:04:18.079 a brief conference with manager Stan Hack, Jones 00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:20.800 proceeds to strike out Dick Grote and rookie 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:25.160 Roberto Clemente. The last Pirate hope, slugging 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:28.110 Frank Thomas. Sam Jones looks around that infield. 00:04:28.110 --> 00:04:31.329 Somebody on every base. All set again. Here we 00:04:31.329 --> 00:04:34.509 go. Strike two. Thomas from behind. High curve. 00:04:34.870 --> 00:04:38.810 One and two. Jones needs one more strike for 00:04:38.810 --> 00:04:44.050 you know what. One more strike. The umpire peering 00:04:44.050 --> 00:04:47.209 over McCullough's shoulder. Watch it now. Jones 00:04:47.209 --> 00:05:08.329 against Thomas. The pitch. Strike five. Jones 00:05:08.329 --> 00:05:10.550 is the first black to pitch a no -hitter in the 00:05:10.550 --> 00:05:13.089 majors, an achievement that enriches a Chicago 00:05:13.089 --> 00:05:15.689 record that includes the first league championship, 00:05:16.050 --> 00:05:18.949 the first batting champion, and the first 400 00:05:18.949 --> 00:05:21.649 -hitter, both in the person of second baseman 00:05:21.649 --> 00:05:25.029 Ross Barnes. Chicago is also the first team with 00:05:25.029 --> 00:05:27.370 a player who powers three home runs in a single 00:05:27.370 --> 00:05:30.870 game. Ed Williamson pioneers the feat in 1884. 00:05:31.660 --> 00:05:34.439 60 years before a tobacco -chewing, left -handed 00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:36.680 Slugger takes his familiar crouch against the 00:05:36.680 --> 00:05:39.480 New York Giants. Here comes the pitch. He hits 00:05:39.480 --> 00:05:41.939 it. There goes another long drive. It may be 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:45.579 out of here. It's going. It is gone. The third 00:05:45.579 --> 00:05:49.240 home run today for Slugger Bill Nicholson of 00:05:49.240 --> 00:05:51.699 the Cup. Nicholson will hit another home run 00:05:51.699 --> 00:05:53.980 in the second game with the twin Bill, his sixth 00:05:53.980 --> 00:05:57.339 in four games to tie a major league record. During 00:05:57.339 --> 00:06:00.300 the next era of Cub power, another tobacco -chewing 00:06:00.300 --> 00:06:02.540 Cub outfielder will duplicate Nicholson's feet 00:06:02.540 --> 00:06:06.079 twice, both times amazingly against the same 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:08.240 pitcher. Eighth inning now. Ball on the count 00:06:08.240 --> 00:06:10.920 on Sauer. Big Hank already has two homers off 00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:12.800 Kurt Simmons in this ballgame. You know, it's 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:15.139 kind of ironic that Sauer got three homers off 00:06:15.139 --> 00:06:17.980 Simmons in one game in August of 1950 just before 00:06:17.980 --> 00:06:20.720 Kurt left for the service. Remember that? Now 00:06:20.720 --> 00:06:24.699 here's Hank trying to do it again. Kurt's ready. 00:06:24.779 --> 00:06:43.089 Here's the pitch. The Cubs win three consecutive 00:06:43.089 --> 00:06:45.810 pennants starting in 1906 and are the first team 00:06:45.810 --> 00:06:48.589 to capture two consecutive World Series. They 00:06:48.589 --> 00:06:52.850 do it in 1907 and 8. In the 1929 Classic, the 00:06:52.850 --> 00:06:55.430 Cubs counterbalance the honor by misplaying the 00:06:55.430 --> 00:06:58.810 wildest scoring inning in series history. Philadelphia 00:06:58.810 --> 00:07:01.509 bombs the Cubs for ten runs in the seventh to 00:07:01.509 --> 00:07:04.350 overcome an eight -run Chicago lead. The Athletics 00:07:04.350 --> 00:07:06.230 win the game and subsequently the series four 00:07:06.230 --> 00:07:09.569 games to one. Three years later, with Charlie 00:07:09.569 --> 00:07:11.370 Root again the pitcher and the Yankees on the 00:07:11.370 --> 00:07:13.730 way to a four -game sweep of the series, Babe 00:07:13.730 --> 00:07:16.389 Ruth drops his own special bombshell. Here's 00:07:16.389 --> 00:07:26.509 the one -and -one pitch. Go past him also. He 00:07:26.509 --> 00:07:30.589 never took the bat off his shoulder. One and 00:07:30.589 --> 00:07:35.269 two on Ruth. Calpe braces that figure again and 00:07:35.269 --> 00:07:39.089 looks out at Charlie. Ruth gets his sign from 00:07:39.089 --> 00:07:43.129 Gabby. Into the windup. Here's the one and two 00:07:43.129 --> 00:08:19.610 pitch. A swing. Did Ruth call his shot? You will 00:08:19.610 --> 00:08:22.329 find arguments on both sides to this very day. 00:08:22.790 --> 00:08:25.370 But there's no debating the 21 straight victories 00:08:25.370 --> 00:08:27.850 that bring the Cubs another pennant in 1935. 00:08:28.430 --> 00:08:31.189 The storybook finish puts the Cubs, losers of 00:08:31.189 --> 00:08:34.090 four series in a row, against a Detroit club 00:08:34.090 --> 00:08:36.809 that has yet to win a world championship. The 00:08:36.809 --> 00:08:40.629 Tigers lead the series three games to two. Game 00:08:40.629 --> 00:08:44.090 six, score tied in the ninth. One out. The Tigers' 00:08:44.190 --> 00:08:46.429 Mickey Cochran singles and advances to second 00:08:46.429 --> 00:08:49.470 on an infield out. This puts the issue squarely 00:08:49.470 --> 00:08:51.990 up to the Cubs' Larry French and Detroit veteran 00:08:51.990 --> 00:08:55.429 Bruce Gosling. That has become the pricing required 00:08:55.429 --> 00:08:57.909 here in Detroit. Mickey Cochran, the potential 00:08:57.909 --> 00:09:00.450 winning run, is at second. Larry French goes 00:09:00.450 --> 00:09:20.379 into the stretch. The softball delivers. By now, 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:23.159 baseball broadcasts from Wrigley Field had become 00:09:23.159 --> 00:09:26.419 one of radio's most popular attractions. At one 00:09:26.419 --> 00:09:29.299 time, no less than five Chicago stations carried 00:09:29.299 --> 00:09:32.129 the Cubs games. Among the familiar Cub voices 00:09:32.129 --> 00:09:35.669 of their day were Quinn Ryan. And Kyler swings, 00:09:35.990 --> 00:09:40.909 and there's a good, solid hit over second. Well, 00:09:40.950 --> 00:09:43.470 folks, Kyler's on first with the Cubs' third 00:09:43.470 --> 00:09:46.450 hit of the ball game. Hal Totten. And the pitcher 00:09:46.450 --> 00:09:48.330 stands there getting his sign. He winds up again 00:09:48.330 --> 00:09:51.110 now and throws and Grimm swings the ground ball 00:09:51.110 --> 00:09:53.129 toward right field. Kerr goes over far to his 00:09:53.129 --> 00:09:55.230 left, gets it, throws the first, and it's two 00:09:55.230 --> 00:09:58.159 out. in the second inning for the Cubs. A slow 00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:00.700 ground ball toward right field. Johnny Kerr went 00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:02.460 over, got it. He seemed to fumble it a second 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:05.740 up in his arms. He didn't get it in his hands, 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:08.080 but he finally got a hold of it and threw it 00:10:08.080 --> 00:10:09.779 to first. So it's two out in the second inning 00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:13.240 for the Cubs, and Gabby Hartnett is at bat. Jolly 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:16.220 Charlie Grimm. Big Bill Lee gets the sign from 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:19.360 Gabby Hartnett. Gets it in the tying run at third 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:23.139 base. Zell saws the hitter. Big Bill goes into 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:32.759 his stretch, and here's the... Lou Fonseca. Jim 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:37.139 Dom swings. It's a hit. Don D 'Alessandro lined 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:41.279 that ball right over Higby's head. And the fireplug, 00:10:41.279 --> 00:10:44.039 who walks like a man, pulls up at first with 00:10:44.039 --> 00:10:47.340 a solid single. And Pat Flanagan. Welsh winds 00:10:47.340 --> 00:10:49.799 another one up. The field is in shadow now. Sun's 00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:51.360 gone back to the cloud. There goes the ball towards 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:53.940 second. Herman gets it, makes the throw to first, 00:10:54.019 --> 00:10:56.940 and Brickhell is out. Brickhell out from Herman 00:10:56.940 --> 00:11:00.970 to Grimm. Perhaps the single most dramatic moment 00:11:00.970 --> 00:11:03.909 in Cubs history occurs on a dark, dreary September 00:11:03.909 --> 00:11:08.029 day in 1938. By dropping the opener to the Cubs, 00:11:08.149 --> 00:11:10.309 the first -place Pirates see their lead trim 00:11:10.309 --> 00:11:13.690 to a scant half game. In the crucial second game, 00:11:13.750 --> 00:11:17.190 with darkness closing in, the score tied 5 -5 00:11:17.190 --> 00:11:20.409 and two out in the bottom of the ninth, manager 00:11:20.409 --> 00:11:22.769 Gabby Hartnett steps out of the shadows of the 00:11:22.769 --> 00:11:26.549 dugout for his turn at bat. It's official now. 00:11:26.990 --> 00:11:29.470 There won't be another inning. National League 00:11:29.470 --> 00:11:32.149 president Ford Frick is in the press box, and 00:11:32.149 --> 00:11:34.809 the umpires have passed up the word. It's now 00:11:34.809 --> 00:11:38.269 or never, Leo. Gabby steps back into the box. 00:11:38.549 --> 00:11:42.009 Brown goes into his windup. He throws. Gabby 00:11:42.009 --> 00:11:44.850 swings. He hits it. It's a long, long drive, 00:11:44.950 --> 00:11:47.450 way, way out in the left center. Lloyd Weiner 00:11:47.450 --> 00:11:50.210 is racing back. It's going. It's going. It may 00:11:50.210 --> 00:12:03.379 be. It may be. the bases, stopping on each bag 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:06.700 as he passes it. Of course in 1938 when we hit 00:12:06.700 --> 00:12:08.980 the home run, that was really the highlight of 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:11.179 my career. Because when I get to second base, 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:13.960 I couldn't see third with so many people on the 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:17.480 field. And believe me, when I touched third base, 00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:19.320 my feet never touched the ground until I got 00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:22.840 to home. The Pirates are a beaten ball club. 00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:26.580 The Cubs mop up the following day 10 to nothing. 00:12:27.149 --> 00:12:29.970 and the 1938 pennant race to all intents and 00:12:29.970 --> 00:12:34.210 purposes is history. Such is the joy over Hartnett's 00:12:34.210 --> 00:12:37.029 dramatic home run that not even the power -laden 00:12:37.029 --> 00:12:40.049 Yankees frighten Cub loyalists. And in the first 00:12:40.049 --> 00:12:42.490 two games of the series, at least, it's not Yankee 00:12:42.490 --> 00:12:45.169 power that beats the Cubs. New York takes the 00:12:45.169 --> 00:12:48.710 opener in a close 3 -1 ball game. In game two, 00:12:48.850 --> 00:12:51.309 the Cubs' Dizzy Dean nurses a one -run lead going 00:12:51.309 --> 00:12:54.309 into the second inning. With two men on, two 00:12:54.309 --> 00:12:58.549 out. Joe Gordon works the count to 3 -2. Well, 00:12:58.590 --> 00:13:00.509 DiMaggio and Gehrig are on base. They're two 00:13:00.509 --> 00:13:03.629 out here in the Yankees' second. 3 -2, the count 00:13:03.629 --> 00:13:05.789 on Gordon. Something's got to give on this pitch. 00:13:06.129 --> 00:13:08.850 Dean into the stretch, the pitch. There's a ground 00:13:08.850 --> 00:13:12.509 ball, and it's going through the left side. Jurgis 00:13:12.509 --> 00:13:14.769 and Heck have collided going after the ball. 00:13:14.830 --> 00:13:16.909 The ball is rolling slowly out into left field. 00:13:17.370 --> 00:13:20.929 Here's DiMaggio scoring. Gehrig is scoring. Gordon 00:13:20.929 --> 00:13:29.320 pulling up a second base, and Dean. The misapp 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:31.519 keeps the game close until the latent Yankee 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:33.480 power surfaces in the late innings, touching 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:37.899 off another four -game New York sweep. The Cubs' 00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:39.860 pennant -every -three -years chain, which began 00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:45.100 in 1929, is broken in 1941. Under manager Jimmy 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:48.399 Wilson, the Cubs finish a distant sixth. It isn't 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:51.799 until 1945, in a league shorn thin of talent 00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:54.740 by military demands, that the Cubs scramble past 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:57.220 the favored Cardinals to capture another pennant. 00:13:57.919 --> 00:14:01.240 The 45 series goes the full seven games before 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:03.730 the Tigers pull it out. The series is sparked 00:14:03.730 --> 00:14:06.990 by Claude Passau in game number three. Well, 00:14:06.990 --> 00:14:10.090 Passau getting ready to pitch now to a very dangerous 00:14:10.090 --> 00:14:13.230 right -hand batter, Rudy York. York steps into 00:14:13.230 --> 00:14:15.409 the batter's box. The big Indian up there, a 00:14:15.409 --> 00:14:18.889 very, very dangerous man. Here comes the pitch. 00:14:19.090 --> 00:14:21.570 York swings and hits the ball to center field. 00:14:21.669 --> 00:14:25.009 It's a good, clean single. Now he holds up at 00:14:25.009 --> 00:14:28.399 first base. Well, I'm looking over at the dugout 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:31.679 and now I see McHale is walking out of the dugout 00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:35.120 and is apparently going to bat for Webb. Now 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:38.139 this will be the Tigers' last chance as there 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:40.440 are two out here in the bottom half of the ninth 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:43.419 inning. Passar has pitched a truly brilliant 00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:46.940 game. He's allowed only one hit. That was by 00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:49.860 York, you recall, at single to center field in 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:52.580 the second inning. The only other man to reach 00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:56.490 was on the wall. Paso looking down at Livingston, 00:14:56.549 --> 00:15:00.070 getting his sign. He goes into the windup, delivers. 00:15:00.309 --> 00:15:03.250 McHale swings, and there's a high pop -up behind 00:15:03.250 --> 00:15:06.250 the plate. Livingston is moving over under it. 00:15:06.330 --> 00:15:08.769 He makes the catch, and the ball game is over. 00:15:09.009 --> 00:15:11.629 The Cubs have won the third game of the World 00:15:11.629 --> 00:15:15.370 Series, 3 -0 behind the brilliant pitching of 00:15:15.370 --> 00:15:19.250 Claude Paso. Paso allowed only one base hit, 00:15:19.389 --> 00:15:22.879 a single to center field. Well, now we move on 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:26.139 to Chicago for the fourth game with the Cubs 00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:30.259 holding a 2 -1 edge in the series. The Cubs lose 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:33.419 the series but gain a star. The all -around hitting 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:36.159 and defensive play of Andy Pafko establishes 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:39.580 the boy from Boyceville, Wisconsin as a bright 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:42.620 young pro with a great future and some great 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:45.960 catches ahead of him. But the catch Andy Pafko 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:49.000 will never forget is the one he doesn't quite 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:53.759 make. Or did he? That's why I definitely caught 00:15:53.759 --> 00:16:02.779 the ball. Two out now, top of the ninth inning. 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:05.580 Cubs one, Cardinals nothing. The Cub battery 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:08.879 rushing Sheffing still. Slaughter leads off first. 00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:12.320 Rocky Nelson digging in there at the plate. Here's 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:14.620 the pitch. Fly ball. Left center. Falling kind 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:17.000 of fast. And he races in. Papko dives for the 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:19.220 ball. Did he catch it or didn't he? Umpire Al 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:21.419 Varlick out there. Signals no catch. Papko's 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:23.720 furious. He's racing in, holding up the ball 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:27.120 high. Connor scoring. Third base coach Tony Kaufman 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:29.519 is waving Nelson around. Charlie Graham is screaming 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:31.500 at Papko to throw the ball. He finally does. 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:41.750 And the ball. The late 40s and 50s are empty 00:16:41.750 --> 00:16:44.409 years for the Cubs. That fan interest remains 00:16:44.409 --> 00:16:46.750 is due in no small measure to the contagious 00:16:46.750 --> 00:16:49.690 enthusiasm and eternal optimism of Burt Wilson, 00:16:49.970 --> 00:16:52.870 the voice of the Cubs. I've had a good chance 00:16:52.870 --> 00:16:54.730 to see all the promising young rookies who will 00:16:54.730 --> 00:16:56.889 be fighting for a job this summer, and believe 00:16:56.889 --> 00:16:59.570 me, they look great. The Cubs infield is generally 00:16:59.570 --> 00:17:01.769 recognized as one of the best in the league already, 00:17:01.950 --> 00:17:03.929 and there are several outfielders who look like 00:17:03.929 --> 00:17:06.710 real major leaguers. With Hank Sauer back in 00:17:06.710 --> 00:17:08.970 left field where he belongs, Center and right 00:17:08.970 --> 00:17:11.609 are wide -open affairs, but fellows like Ted 00:17:11.609 --> 00:17:13.910 Tappy, a real giant whom the Cubs obtained from 00:17:13.910 --> 00:17:16.210 Cincinnati and several others, look like the 00:17:16.210 --> 00:17:19.029 outfield should be in good hands this year. Pitching 00:17:19.029 --> 00:17:20.829 is a cinch to be better, and the catching department 00:17:20.829 --> 00:17:23.509 was given a big boost when Harry Chidi, a fellow 00:17:23.509 --> 00:17:25.329 built like Gabby Hartnett, came back from the 00:17:25.329 --> 00:17:27.789 service. Yes, it looks like a very interesting 00:17:27.789 --> 00:17:30.730 season for the Chicago Cubs this year, and here's 00:17:30.730 --> 00:17:33.650 the good news. At the tail end of 53, a shy, 00:17:33.930 --> 00:17:36.589 gangling shortstop joins the Cubs from the Kansas 00:17:36.589 --> 00:17:39.750 City Monarchs. Hello again, baseball fans. This 00:17:39.750 --> 00:17:41.569 is Bert Wilson, the radio voice of the Chicago 00:17:41.569 --> 00:17:43.890 Cubs from the spring training camp in Mesa, Arizona. 00:17:44.349 --> 00:17:47.109 And today we're going to talk to bingo. In other 00:17:47.109 --> 00:17:49.549 words, that's that famous bingo to bango to bilko 00:17:49.549 --> 00:17:51.789 or fondy double play combination. And I'm speaking 00:17:51.789 --> 00:17:54.190 of Ernie Banks, the great rookie shortstop of 00:17:54.190 --> 00:17:56.009 the Chicago Cubs, or he was a rookie last year. 00:17:56.069 --> 00:17:57.670 Ernie, you look like you're ready to go for 1955. 00:17:58.309 --> 00:18:00.730 Yeah, already, Bert. I understand that you might 00:18:00.730 --> 00:18:02.309 have gone to the New York Yankees or the Chicago 00:18:02.309 --> 00:18:05.170 White Sox, but Wood Matthews kept after somebody 00:18:05.170 --> 00:18:06.950 and got you in the Chicago Cub organization. 00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:10.559 Well, I think it's a fine organization, and I 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:13.099 really like playing with the Cubs. You're only 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:15.920 23 years old, and last year was your first year 00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:18.460 in professional baseball. So it looks like you're 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:21.539 going to have a long and glorious career, Ernie. 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:25.680 Last year you hit .275, which only two other 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:28.660 shortstops outhit you last year. And I think 00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:31.059 it's amazing to me how you get so much power 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:33.789 out there, Ernie. You don't use a lot of real 00:18:33.789 --> 00:18:35.630 swing around. It's that wrist action that does 00:18:35.630 --> 00:18:37.970 it, I guess. Is that natural, that wrist action? 00:18:38.230 --> 00:18:40.549 Yeah, I guess it's natural. I just swing that 00:18:40.549 --> 00:18:43.250 way, and I guess I just try to meet the ball, 00:18:43.369 --> 00:18:46.430 and it's go. Despite the emergence of Banks into 00:18:46.430 --> 00:18:49.390 a full -fledged superstar, the Cubs continue 00:18:49.390 --> 00:18:52.289 to wallow in the second division. The frustrations 00:18:52.289 --> 00:18:54.890 of the mid -50s and early 60s are perhaps best 00:18:54.890 --> 00:18:57.789 characterized by this seemingly routine play. 00:18:58.430 --> 00:19:00.650 Here is Hamner. He singled his last time at bat. 00:19:01.369 --> 00:19:03.509 He has one for two the first time up in the ballgame. 00:19:03.569 --> 00:19:07.970 He struck out. Semenik is on third base. Kazansky 00:19:07.970 --> 00:19:10.490 on second. Ashburn is on first. Here's the windup 00:19:10.490 --> 00:19:12.670 in the pitch. Hamner hits a high pop -up off 00:19:12.670 --> 00:19:14.710 the right side. It's in foul territory. Landreth 00:19:14.710 --> 00:19:16.970 and Fondy both there. Landreth waits, and it 00:19:16.970 --> 00:19:19.410 drops in front of him. It dropped right between 00:19:19.410 --> 00:19:22.430 them. When the ball hit the ground, Fondy was 00:19:22.430 --> 00:19:24.190 looking at Landreth, and Landreth was looking 00:19:24.190 --> 00:19:27.380 at Fondy. One of the weirdest plays of them all, 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:29.660 however, occurs in a game against the Cardinals. 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:32.599 Bob Anderson is all set to work on Stan Musial 00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:34.740 once again at the plate. Now Musial has a count 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:37.220 of three balls and one strike. Sammy Taylor, 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:40.539 Chicago catcher, flashes out the next sign. Here's 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:42.440 the wind -up by Bob Anderson, the next pitch 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:44.660 into Musial. There's a ball that goes all the 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:46.839 way by Taylor, ball four, and Musial strutting 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:48.819 up to first base, but Taylor's not chasing the 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:51.220 ball. Instead, he's arguing with the plate umpire, 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:53.099 Vic Delmore, evidently claiming that the ball 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:55.640 hit Musial's bat. Musial now is on his way to 00:19:55.640 --> 00:19:58.519 second base. The throw down to second base sails 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:01.200 over Tony Taylor's head into right center field. 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:03.240 There's another ball coming out from behind the 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:05.920 plate somewhere. It's taken by the shortstop. 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:08.140 Bernie Banks, Musial gets up from his slide and 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:10.299 is going to try for third base. And Banks runs 00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:13.099 him down and puts the tag on Musial. Boy, what 00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:15.140 a big lube bar we have in the field right now. 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:17.759 Bill Joukowsky, the second base umpire, I believe 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:19.859 is the one who was called Musial out between 00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:21.900 second and third. The Cardinals are up in arms 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:24.400 about it now. The big point is here, which is 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:27.240 the official baseball? The ball four that went 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:29.400 by Sammy Taylor went back to the base of the 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:31.940 screen. It evidently was picked up by the third 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:34.599 baseman, Al Dark. who threw out to Ernie Banks 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:36.920 the other baseball I think was thrown by the 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:39.720 pitcher Bob Anderson. He evidently acquired in 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:42.140 some way the baseball from the plate umpire Vic 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:45.059 Delmore, thus allowing two baseballs to be in 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:47.819 play at the same time. Not all the bloopers are 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:50.579 confined to the playing field. Lou, since we've 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:52.599 been working with Weebolts this year, I'm learning 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:55.000 more about women's clothes every day. Now, for 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:57.240 example, do you know what a shadow panel is? 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:59.700 Well, old chap, I have it the foggiest. What 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:03.130 is it? It's a lining they put in women's slips. 00:21:03.990 --> 00:21:07.289 And they have these slips at Weebolts? Do they? 00:21:11.430 --> 00:21:14.329 Say, don't ad -lib, just read what's on the script. 00:21:14.970 --> 00:21:17.950 Well, Kaiser makes them in nylon, and it's light 00:21:17.950 --> 00:21:20.329 as a feather. These slips are edged with lace 00:21:20.329 --> 00:21:26.589 at the top and bottom. They sound great, huh? 00:21:26.809 --> 00:21:42.640 They sure do. That's the last one of those we'll 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:45.339 get all summer, I bet. How about it, fellas? 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:49.019 One more time. And another thing, Jackson. This 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:52.099 year, for the first time, Wee Bolts is including 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:55.680 popular stretch pantyhose in this sale. They're 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:58.700 regularly $3, but now you can get them for $2 00:21:58.700 --> 00:22:21.710 .39. The Cubs efforts to produce a winning team 00:22:21.710 --> 00:22:23.569 in those years are marked more by individual 00:22:23.569 --> 00:22:26.029 achievement than by overall team effectiveness. 00:22:33.049 --> 00:22:35.609 Here's the wind -up by Don Cardwell and the 3 00:22:35.609 --> 00:22:40.210 -1 pitch. Strike called, 3 -2, and Cunningham 00:22:40.210 --> 00:22:44.710 is arguing now. He's really sore. He is really 00:22:44.710 --> 00:22:49.210 peeved at that strike two that was called. He's 00:22:49.210 --> 00:22:51.730 back here barking at Tony Benson, the plate umpire. 00:22:52.509 --> 00:22:56.670 Three balls, two strikes to count. One more pitch 00:22:56.670 --> 00:22:59.750 could end the ballgame. You know what kind of 00:22:59.750 --> 00:23:03.089 a pitch we're hoping for. The dark one. Blow 00:23:03.089 --> 00:23:06.829 it past him, Don. Three balls. Two strikes. Cunningham 00:23:06.829 --> 00:23:09.750 waits. Cardwell into the windup. Here's the biggest 00:23:09.750 --> 00:23:12.529 pitch of this ballgame. Lined into left field. 00:23:12.609 --> 00:23:32.980 Here's Moore. Coming. He got it! Minus the dramatics, 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:35.700 a hustling Cubs second baseman also writes his 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:38.339 name into the record books. The 2 -1 pitch to 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:40.519 Johnny Edwards. Fastball hit on the ground to 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:42.259 Kenny Hubbs. Here it is, the record breaker. 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:45.160 He throws him out, and that's number 415 for 00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:48.319 Hubbs, which breaks the record. He just threw 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:51.500 Johnny Edwards out to retire the side, and it's 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:55.000 the 415th consecutive chance for Hubbs without 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:57.440 an error, and Dusty Boggess gives him the baseball, 00:23:57.640 --> 00:24:00.380 and that'll go in a very treasured place. Cubs 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:02.880 comes out and accepts the ball from Boggess and 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:05.140 tips his cap, acknowledging the cheers of the 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:12.759 fans here in Cincinnati. 1966. Baseball by committee 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:15.119 gives way to the uniquely singular leadership 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:19.079 of Leo DeRocher. Hard -nosed, winning baseball 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:24.220 returns to Wrigley Field. The Cubs open the 1969 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:27.700 season against Philadelphia. Bottom of the 11th. 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:30.799 With two out, a man on, and the Cubs trailing 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:33.740 by a run, pinch hitter Willie Smith lights the 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:36.299 fuse to one of the most explosive years in Chicago 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:40.920 Cubs history. Willie hits one high, deep right 00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:46.079 field. It could be. It is a home run. A home 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:59.599 run for Willie Smith. as a welcoming committee 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:05.039 for Willie. They mob him at home plate. The Cubs 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:08.960 have pulled it out on Willie Smith. Two -run 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:12.619 pinch hit homer into the bleachers in right field. 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:16.220 Given little more than an outside chance in preseason 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:18.559 polls, the Cubs break fast in their drive to 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:20.559 bring Chicago its first National League flag 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:23.839 in 24 years. Sharing the early season heroics 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:25.660 that carry the Cubs to the top of the National 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:28.210 League East. are Fergie Jenkins en route to another 00:25:28.210 --> 00:25:31.349 20 -game season, his battery mate Randy Huntley, 00:25:31.470 --> 00:25:35.089 Willie Smith, Al Spangler, Don Kessinger, Phil 00:25:35.089 --> 00:25:38.170 Regan, but the pace setter of them all, the leader 00:25:38.170 --> 00:25:41.089 whose spirited performance exemplifies the inspired 00:25:41.089 --> 00:25:44.990 play of this 1969 ball club is Mr. Cub himself, 00:25:45.509 --> 00:25:48.390 Ernie Banks. Pass ball to swing and there's one 00:25:48.390 --> 00:25:50.450 hit deep. Goes to left field. Hits way back. 00:25:50.690 --> 00:25:55.779 Hits goal. Going. Goal! a grand slammer for Ernie 00:25:55.779 --> 00:26:01.579 Banks, number 12 of his career. In all the excitement 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:03.940 of the Cubs' early surge, little attention is 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:06.539 given the improving New York Mets, whose promising 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:10.079 young staff blossoms almost overnight. On July 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:12.440 9th, the Cubs are treated to a personal demonstration 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:15.799 of this overpowering pitching brilliance. Before 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:18.500 a capacity crowd at Shea Stadium, Tom Seaver 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:21.079 sets the Cubs down one, two, three, through eight 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:24.410 perfect innings. With the crowd roaring on every 00:26:24.410 --> 00:26:27.329 pitch, fate comes to bat in the person of Jimmy 00:26:27.329 --> 00:26:30.410 Qualls. He swings a drive into left center field. 00:26:30.630 --> 00:26:33.150 It's in there for a base hit. There goes the 00:26:33.150 --> 00:26:35.430 perfect ball game, and Qualls is on with a line 00:26:35.430 --> 00:26:38.670 drive single. The Cubs drop two out of three 00:26:38.670 --> 00:26:41.349 to New York, but the Northsiders rebound to take 00:26:41.349 --> 00:26:43.250 the Mets the following week in Wrigley Field. 00:26:43.450 --> 00:26:46.309 And by August 6th, their division lead has zoomed 00:26:46.309 --> 00:26:50.250 to a comfortable eight and a half games. San 00:26:50.250 --> 00:26:54.529 Diego. August 13th, the Cubs threatening. Stretching 00:26:54.529 --> 00:26:56.509 the 3 -2 pitch to Williams. Runner's going. He 00:26:56.509 --> 00:26:59.250 swings a liner back to Necro. He grabs it. Steps 00:26:59.250 --> 00:27:02.630 on second for one. Out for the second out. And 00:27:02.630 --> 00:27:09.410 then tags Brent Beckert for a triple play. Even 00:27:09.410 --> 00:27:12.990 a triple play can't deny Bill Hands his 15th 00:27:12.990 --> 00:27:15.109 victory of the season. A season that reaches 00:27:15.109 --> 00:27:18.089 its peak the following week. The Braves at Wrigley 00:27:18.089 --> 00:27:20.859 Field. Kenny Holtzman on the threshold of one 00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:23.680 of those things. Hammering Henry Aaron at bat 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:26.839 on the 7th. 2 -2 pitch. Aaron swings. That baby 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:28.940 is hit. Look out. It's way back there in left 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:30.779 field. Bailey Williams back to the bleachers. 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:37.380 Back to the corner. Keep up. Holy mackerel. That 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:40.039 ball was seconded to go to the bleachers. And 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:42.880 the wind moved it just away from the bleachers 00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:50.809 to the farthest. With two outs in the ninth and 00:27:50.809 --> 00:27:53.009 the Braves still without a hit, the dangerous 00:27:53.009 --> 00:27:57.670 Mr. Aaron returns as Atlanta's last hope. A nervous 00:27:57.670 --> 00:28:00.049 crowd, an excited crowd here at Wrigley Field 00:28:00.049 --> 00:28:05.170 on a beautiful afternoon. That open looking down 00:28:05.170 --> 00:28:07.849 looks to be called. Dotsie's head steps back. 00:28:07.869 --> 00:28:09.789 Here's the pitch. Fastball. He swings. Ground 00:28:09.789 --> 00:28:12.950 ball to Bickert. Here's the throw. He's out. 00:28:12.950 --> 00:28:40.710 Do it! Holtzman's masterpiece lifts the Cubs 00:28:40.710 --> 00:28:43.470 to new heights, but the rarefied air proves too 00:28:43.470 --> 00:28:45.589 much as the division leaders drop their next 00:28:45.589 --> 00:28:48.710 three games, setting the stage for Mr. Dependable, 00:28:48.869 --> 00:29:06.029 Jim Hickman. Satchel Paige used to say, never 00:29:06.029 --> 00:29:08.369 look back. You never know who may be gaining 00:29:08.369 --> 00:29:11.750 on you. Well, a season of looking back finally 00:29:11.750 --> 00:29:14.369 begins to catch up with the tiring Chicago club. 00:29:14.690 --> 00:29:17.349 Their lead shrinking fast, the Cubs are but one 00:29:17.349 --> 00:29:20.970 out away from a big win over the Pirates. Just 00:29:20.970 --> 00:29:26.269 one out away. Stargell at bat. There's a well 00:29:26.269 --> 00:29:29.900 -hit ball. Look out. That's gone. Way back there, 00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:32.400 all the way out on Wayland Avenue, or rather 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:34.480 on Sheffield Avenue, over the right field wall. 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:37.480 That is a home run, and we have a brand new ball 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:40.160 game at Wrigley Field. Pittsburgh scores two 00:29:40.160 --> 00:29:42.539 unearned runs in the 11th to win the game many 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:45.259 call the turning point of the season. September 00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:48.299 10th. After a season -long chase, the Mets catch 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:50.720 and pass the Cubs. The New Yorkers streak on 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:52.839 to win the Eastern Division title and the National 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:55.359 League pennant, then upset Baltimore to win the 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:59.730 World Series. It was all over now but the shouting. 00:29:59.869 --> 00:30:02.630 The shouts from disappointed but not disheartened 00:30:02.630 --> 00:30:22.170 Cub fans. Wait till next year. It's a mature, 00:30:22.410 --> 00:30:24.670 determined Chicago Cub team that takes to the 00:30:24.670 --> 00:30:28.160 field in 1970. The wounds of the 69 collapse 00:30:28.160 --> 00:30:32.119 hopefully healed. Pennant race aside, fan interest 00:30:32.119 --> 00:30:34.339 early in the season focuses on the individual 00:30:34.339 --> 00:30:37.759 performances of two all -time Cub greats. The 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:40.779 first milestone culminates April 30th, the Cubs 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:43.759 at Atlanta. Here comes Billy Williams. They make 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:46.359 the announcement here that this is his 1 ,000th 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:49.480 consecutive game, a National League record. Now 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:51.599 on the auxiliary scoreboard, it says congratulations, 00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:55.779 Billy, and he gets it. A very fine hand and several 00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:58.180 of the customers here in Atlanta, Georgia tonight 00:30:58.180 --> 00:31:01.880 are beginning to stand and more and more of them 00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:06.240 now getting to their feet to give Billy a standing 00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:10.420 ovation. May 12th, the friendly confines of Wrigley 00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:14.640 Field. It's patron saint at bat. His moving fingers 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:16.839 and cocked wrists taking aim at the record book. 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:19.960 1 -1 pitch. He swings and a drive. Leiter left 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:23.779 field. It is. There it is. Thanks, let's just 00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:55.710 get it. Not all of Banks' big hits, however, 00:31:55.849 --> 00:31:57.509 are for the distance, as Ernie proves to the 00:31:57.509 --> 00:31:59.809 Mets' Gary Gentry the following day. Fastball 00:31:59.809 --> 00:32:02.930 swung on, drive into left field, comes on, dropped 00:32:02.930 --> 00:32:04.990 by the left fielder, Dave Marshall gets behind 00:32:04.990 --> 00:32:07.930 him, Banks makes the turn and holds at first 00:32:07.930 --> 00:32:10.470 base, and Jimmy Enright, the official scorer, 00:32:10.569 --> 00:32:13.069 has to decide whether that's the first hit of 00:32:13.069 --> 00:32:17.650 the ballgame or an error. It is a hit! May 28th, 00:32:17.650 --> 00:32:20.859 That Man Hickman. picks up where he left off 00:32:20.859 --> 00:32:24.059 in 69 to spark the Cubs' early charge. Hickman 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:27.059 swings a drive. Deep left field. It is back. 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:31.059 It is a home run, and the Cubs win at Hickman. 00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:39.000 Line, drive, home run. Holy mackerel. What a 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:44.420 water. Hickman's hot bat will continue to sizzle 00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:47.210 through most of the campaign. On June 3rd, his 00:32:47.210 --> 00:32:49.150 game -winning homer against the Dodgers moves 00:32:49.150 --> 00:32:51.269 the Cubs two and a half games up on the Mets. 00:32:51.970 --> 00:32:55.150 But the lead doesn't hold. The advantage of an 00:32:55.150 --> 00:32:57.410 early 11 -game winning streak is all but erased 00:32:57.410 --> 00:33:00.369 as the Cubs are unable to shake a slump. On June 00:33:00.369 --> 00:33:03.309 24th, the Mets get in their licks twice. Holborn 00:33:03.309 --> 00:33:05.430 looks at first, Chamsky swings, base hit into 00:33:05.430 --> 00:33:08.089 left field. Here's Harrelson coming up the line 00:33:08.089 --> 00:33:13.269 to score easily. Jones stops at second on the 00:33:13.269 --> 00:33:15.730 sharp single to left field off the bat of Shamsky. 00:33:16.670 --> 00:33:19.309 So he gets into the RBI act and the Mets now 00:33:19.309 --> 00:33:23.390 lead us 8 -1. Game two follows suit. 2 -0 pitch. 00:33:23.670 --> 00:33:26.009 Dyer swings a drive into left field for a base 00:33:26.009 --> 00:33:28.670 hit. Here comes Yost waving that runner around 00:33:28.670 --> 00:33:31.730 third. And Billy Williams throw cut off by Popovich. 00:33:31.829 --> 00:33:34.549 Throw to second. The runner gets back just in 00:33:34.549 --> 00:33:37.990 time. This is Andy Olsen, the second base umpire. 00:33:40.079 --> 00:33:43.559 Mets lead 4 -1. And the New Yorkers' double win 00:33:43.559 --> 00:33:45.960 moves them past Chicago into the division lead. 00:33:46.960 --> 00:33:50.240 The Chicago losing streak reaches 12, one shy 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:53.579 of the all -time Cub record, before Fergie Jenkins 00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:56.359 snaps the string by blanking the Cardinals 5 00:33:56.359 --> 00:34:00.259 -0. July 5th, with the Northsiders again beginning 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:02.700 to close in, the pennant race and tempers heat 00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:04.680 up as the Cubs and the Pirates do their July 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:08.000 4th celebrating a day late. Rocher's having some 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:10.239 words with Ellis. Ellis, yeah. Ellis not looking 00:34:10.239 --> 00:34:12.480 at him right away. But before Leo leaves, he's 00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:15.460 some 20 feet away from Ellis. He's letting have 00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:18.440 some of Leo's finest language right now. And 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:20.800 Leo is now making a gesture to Ellis as though 00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:23.039 he's challenging him. And Leo is walking over 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:25.880 towards home plate. And Galassi steps between 00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:28.219 them. So does the other umpire. And both dugouts 00:34:28.219 --> 00:34:33.099 are empty. And it's Joe Amalfitano who puts his 00:34:33.099 --> 00:34:37.619 arms around his skipper. Takes him away. Don 00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:40.760 Leppert, one of the coaches, is trying to get 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:43.199 to Leo. And now we're having a free -for -all. 00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:46.460 A fight has erupted here at Wrigley Field this 00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:50.320 afternoon. And squads of both teams here. Some 00:34:50.320 --> 00:34:52.840 holding players back. Some are in the melee and 00:34:52.840 --> 00:34:58.519 the fighting. And it all started over the brushback 00:34:58.519 --> 00:35:00.519 pitch. First to Hickman and then to Doc Ellis. 00:35:02.510 --> 00:35:06.710 Beckert is in there. He is on somebody. Pirate 00:35:06.710 --> 00:35:08.590 comes up. He's trying to swing and he's being 00:35:08.590 --> 00:35:10.769 held back. And now he wants to get at whoever's 00:35:10.769 --> 00:35:13.949 on that ground. And they're pulling players apart. 00:35:14.469 --> 00:35:17.949 July 6th. Peace and quiet return to Wrigley Field 00:35:17.949 --> 00:35:21.309 until Ron Santo steps up to the plate. There's 00:35:21.309 --> 00:35:24.409 one kiss. It's going. It's going. Stay fair. 00:35:24.730 --> 00:35:28.969 It does. It's gone. Kiss it goodbye. Ron Santo 00:35:28.969 --> 00:35:32.150 hits a two -run home run. High out of the screen, 00:35:32.389 --> 00:35:36.929 beyond the catwalk, in deep left field. That 00:35:36.929 --> 00:35:40.730 gives the Cubs the lead, 2 -0. Way into the drive, 00:35:40.929 --> 00:35:43.949 deep center field. Back goes Oscar, back to the 00:35:43.949 --> 00:35:48.170 Vines. It's a home run! A great slammer for Sato! 00:35:50.929 --> 00:35:55.349 His second of the year, the Cubs lead 4 -0. There's 00:35:55.349 --> 00:35:57.809 the drive, deep center field. This baby is way, 00:35:57.969 --> 00:36:14.099 way... a shot out about 440 feet. Has he got 00:36:14.099 --> 00:36:18.380 the range? Man, oh man. The Cubs sweep both ends 00:36:18.380 --> 00:36:20.579 of the twin bill with the Expos, but remain in 00:36:20.579 --> 00:36:23.579 third place four and a half games out. Joining 00:36:23.579 --> 00:36:25.780 newcomer Milt Pappas to give the Northsiders 00:36:25.780 --> 00:36:28.800 a late season lift, Chicago's exciting new center 00:36:28.800 --> 00:36:31.019 fielder adds to the attack with his first Cub 00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:33.420 hit. Here's the pitch to Pepitone. He swings 00:36:33.420 --> 00:36:35.079 and lines that ball into right field for a base 00:36:35.079 --> 00:36:37.699 hit. Billy Williams rounds third. There goes 00:36:37.699 --> 00:36:42.190 Hickman. 2 -3rd, and the Cubs now lead 1 -0 on 00:36:42.190 --> 00:36:47.449 Pepitone's line drive base hit. August 19th, 00:36:47.449 --> 00:36:52.309 Cub power returns. Oh, man, does it return. Here's 00:36:52.309 --> 00:36:54.969 a stretch, 3 -0 pitch, Hickman swings. It's gone! 00:36:55.590 --> 00:36:58.090 There's a tremendous hope there for Hickman. 00:36:58.469 --> 00:37:01.409 Way over the left field, Waiters on the way to 00:37:01.409 --> 00:37:06.170 an avenue. The Cubs lead 3 -0. Curve, he swings. 00:37:06.429 --> 00:37:10.429 That may be his tag. It is gone. Another home 00:37:10.429 --> 00:37:15.690 run for Hickman. Into the bleachers. And the 00:37:15.690 --> 00:37:20.969 Cubs lead 7 -0. There's a swing and a well -hit 00:37:20.969 --> 00:37:23.849 drive for center field. Casting back, back, back. 00:37:24.090 --> 00:37:28.070 Home run onto the asthma turf. Covering the center 00:37:28.070 --> 00:37:31.230 field bleachers and Bergey with that long, loping 00:37:31.230 --> 00:37:34.280 front. Tours the bases and the fans stand up 00:37:34.280 --> 00:37:37.500 and give him an ovation. Wind up by Dukes. Fastball 00:37:37.500 --> 00:37:39.800 swung on. That baby is hit hard. Right field. 00:37:39.860 --> 00:37:45.139 Way back. Hold run for Billy. He throws one into 00:37:45.139 --> 00:37:47.659 the right field bleachers. Boy, did he kiss it. 00:37:48.039 --> 00:37:51.059 Here's the wind -up 2 -1 pitch. Pepitone swings. 00:37:51.320 --> 00:37:54.659 A drive deep right field. That baby is gone. 00:37:55.800 --> 00:37:58.219 He swings. There's a well -in drive deep to right 00:37:58.219 --> 00:38:02.940 field. That is... Here's the swing, a while at 00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:06.300 drive, left field, Becker may have one. It is 00:38:06.300 --> 00:38:10.519 a home run for Jay Becker in the left field feature. 00:38:12.139 --> 00:38:17.219 Oh, a backer. Holder number seven for the Cubs 00:38:17.219 --> 00:38:20.519 today. The Cubs' on -again, off -again late -season 00:38:20.519 --> 00:38:23.300 charge keeps them in the pennant pack. September 00:38:23.300 --> 00:38:26.019 12th, in a crucial Cubs -Pittsburgh showdown, 00:38:26.179 --> 00:38:30.079 shades of 1969, Stargell at bat. He goes after 00:38:30.079 --> 00:38:32.579 the first pitch and he hits a shot high and deep 00:38:32.579 --> 00:38:35.980 to right center field. Look out. It's gone. Home 00:38:35.980 --> 00:38:38.840 run. Hickman's homer in the ninth makes it close, 00:38:38.920 --> 00:38:43.039 but the Cubs still lose. September 13th. Two 00:38:43.039 --> 00:38:45.320 outs in the ninth. The Cubs trailing. And an 00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:48.320 easy pop fly is about to write finish for Chicago 00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:51.059 in 70. There's a swing and a high fly ball. This 00:38:51.059 --> 00:38:53.559 game is going to be over. Coming in is Matty 00:38:53.559 --> 00:38:56.099 Alou. Coming on. Coming on. He reaches out. He 00:38:56.099 --> 00:39:00.019 drops the ball. Quinn carrying it in, and the 00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:02.820 puck's going to break. Willie Smith reaches second 00:39:02.820 --> 00:39:07.079 base as Matty Alou and the high fly ball. Started 00:39:07.079 --> 00:39:09.340 in rather slowly, and then with the wind pushing 00:39:09.340 --> 00:39:12.400 it in, tried to put out a burst of speed. Alou, 00:39:12.400 --> 00:39:14.519 that's the way they turn things around. Yes, 00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:18.139 it can with Kessinger here. Both glass, and Sagian 00:39:18.139 --> 00:39:20.380 was jumping up, thinking they had to third out. 00:39:20.579 --> 00:39:23.400 But when I looked up, Matty Alou was really playing 00:39:23.400 --> 00:39:26.780 very deep. for Willie Smith with that wind blowing 00:39:26.780 --> 00:39:29.519 it in. So here could be a break for the Cubs. 00:39:29.659 --> 00:39:32.099 Let's hope we can take advantage of this opportunity. 00:39:32.380 --> 00:39:35.199 In fact, this could change the entire complex 00:39:35.199 --> 00:39:38.280 of the rest of this season. The Cubs are quick 00:39:38.280 --> 00:39:40.219 to capitalize on the break and win the game, 00:39:40.380 --> 00:39:43.110 but their momentum stops right there. Instead 00:39:43.110 --> 00:39:45.530 of demoralizing the Pirates, the error becomes 00:39:45.530 --> 00:39:48.050 a rallying point around which Pittsburgh builds 00:39:48.050 --> 00:39:50.090 a drive that takes them to the division title. 00:39:50.449 --> 00:39:53.010 So the Cubs bid for a pennant fall short for 00:39:53.010 --> 00:39:55.869 the second year in a row. But as they say, that's 00:39:55.869 --> 00:39:59.409 baseball. You win some, you lose some. The Cubs 00:39:59.409 --> 00:40:01.909 know. They've run the gamut. They've won ten 00:40:01.909 --> 00:40:04.570 pennants in the 20th century. They've finished 00:40:04.570 --> 00:40:08.469 last, too. But they always come back. The Chicago 00:40:08.469 --> 00:40:12.710 Cubs. Pop Anson. Frank Chance. Johnny Ebers, 00:40:12.909 --> 00:40:17.889 Joe Tinker, Rube Waddell, Rogers Hornsby, Grover 00:40:17.889 --> 00:40:21.190 Cleveland Alexander, Gabby Hartman, Mordecai 00:40:21.190 --> 00:40:25.469 Brown, Bill Lee, Larry French, Lon Warnicke, 00:40:25.730 --> 00:40:30.670 Tex Carlton, Vern Olson, Hank Baroi, Johnny Schmitz, 00:40:30.809 --> 00:40:35.329 Clay Bryant, Bob Rush, Emil Cush, Ed Hanaszewski, 00:40:35.510 --> 00:40:38.829 Charlie Root, Larry Jackson, Dick Ellsworth, 00:40:39.070 --> 00:41:06.550 Dutch Leonard, Dizzy Dean. And hundreds more. 00:41:06.789 --> 00:41:10.909 The Chicago Cubs. with a rich heritage built 00:41:10.909 --> 00:41:13.929 on a tradition as old as organized baseball itself. 00:41:14.570 --> 00:41:17.690 Another championship can't be too far away for 00:41:17.690 --> 00:41:22.369 our own wild, wonderful, and unforgettable Chicago 00:41:22.369 --> 00:41:23.010 Cubs.