All-Time Worst Cubs Players?

101 Years of Frustration on the North Side of Chicago

Mike Felten
To read the official Chicago Cub publications you would think it has been a hundred years of sunshine. Instead it has been a cold overcast century with the north wind blowing in.
I've sat in the grandstand when less than a thousand people showed up. I imagine that 75% of those folks have mercifully passed from Clark and Addison to a land where the hot chocolate doesn't taste like dishwater, the bathrooms are fit for humans and sometimes smiles are seen in October.
The current dismal team lends to my understanding of why WGN would rather air moronic teenage dramas than documenting this chapter of futility.
My mind drifted during last night's game. I reread the book of Job and then began to contemplate on who was the worst of the worst to wear Cubby blue. You aren't going to read this in any MLB publication so get it here. I'm sure there will be disagreements and I'm open for suggestions. A lot of these guys I have purged from my memory. I have left off good players who I just didn't like for instance: Ryne Sandberg - a nice guy, but not a leader who had a wife who had a thing for some very good Latin ballplayers who were subsequently traded ; Billy Williams who never could give a kid an autograph: Mark Grace who wagged his Arizona world championship ring in the face of Cubs fans, is a hall of famer at Murphy's Bleachers and among stout girls everywhere. I know you like these guys, I just have my own issues here.
This team is something I think we can all agree on:
CATCHER- Todd Hundley. My nominee for the worst player ever to be a Cub on and off the field. As much as we loved his dad, Randy too. When the Cardinals found Darryl Kile dead in his hotel room I proposed that the Cubs trade Hundley for him. I hope this guy never changes planes at O'Hare. He'd be backed up by Harry Chiti who seemed like a roly-poly good time guy who was traded for himself and Jim Hegan Sr. who the Cubs plucked out of retirement in the 50's.
FIRST BASE - Hal Breeden. He was a nice guy that just couldn't play. Pete LaCock who was Mark Grace lite. Fred McGriff who's best days were behind him. Honorable mentions to Steve Bilko and Dick Gernert.
SECOND BASE - The legendary Bump Willis
SHORTSTOP - The equally legendary Roy Smalley Sr. I've been trying to forget Andre Rodgers all my life. I know some of you are still waiting for Shawn Dunston to reach his potential too. I swear I saw him swing at a pick off throw to first base. His 'cannon' arm blasted a lot of seats from their first base side moorings.
THIRD BASE - Todd Ziele. He didn't want to be here and played like it. Gary Scott and Kevin Orie had their turns as the next Ron Santo and came close to playing like Ron would've if his legs were amputated in 1960.
OUTFIELD - Brian McCrae. He was so full of himself he didn't need a team. Jacque Jones. He couldn't hit, run, throw or field and we were all racist for noticing. Corey Patterson. He didn't need no stinking coaching. The potential of Dunston without half the results. Damon Buford. It seemed like his dad was making him play and Don Baylor was his dad's buddy. He left centerfield and never played again. Don Young. He had a tough couple games when it mattered most and Santo carved him a new one. He disappeared from the face of the earth, but is remembered by a lot of guys with hall of fame ballots when Ron Santo is up for election.
PITCHERS - Danny Jackson. A perfect battery mate for Hundley. Flipped us all off when he couldn't get anybody out and this was back in the day before the f-word was a casual ball park adjective. Ernie Broglio, just because. Dom Dallesandro. He yelped on every pitch until his arm fell off. Latroy Hawkins. We just didn't understand his pain. Felix 'the cat' Heredia. Unfortunately, he had nine lives. Julian 'the jerk' Tavarez. He had one memorable season. I totally forgot the name of that Korean guy who couldn't throw a strike and still got banged like a screen door in a hurricane. I'm not going to remember for you.
OFF THE BENCH - Jimmy Stewart. Had a nice career after he left, but couldn't have hit that Korean guy when he was a Cub.
MANAGER - Preston Gomez. Even John Holland (I think) or Ed Lynch (two worst GM's there) realized he was a mistake. Jim Marshall and Whitey Lockman. They were two nice guys that somebody owed something to. And I know a lot of you loved Popeye Zimmer, but when that hot August sun started beating down on that plate in his head and he walked Harry Spillman (a little fuzzy on that name too) to get to Will Clark....

I eagerly look forward to your nominations and our next world championship.

Published by Mike Felten

Singer/Songwriter with two albums Freelance Journalist Record Label owner/promoter Music Business Consultant  View profile

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1 Comments

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  • Dan Winger5/6/2011

    I back your No. 1 nomination for Todd Hundley........he did not leave soon enough.
    http://www.discountgolfclubstore.com

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