As the Chicago Cubs’ anthem, “Go Cubs Go” by Stephen Goodman told baseball fans, “baseball season is under way, so you better get ready for a brand new day.”
With the Major League Baseball season nearing its half-way mark, dozens of Sun City baseball fans came to the Drendel Ballroom for Tim Wilsey’s presentation about baseball. Some wore 2016 Cubs World Series hero jerseys of Javier Baez, or maybe for former manager Joe Maddon. Others went back to their youth for an Ernie Banks shirt.
White Sox fans proudly also showed their colors at the June 11 event, and their star players received recognition as well.
“It was a wonderful, informative program,” Sun City resident Wayne Schleehauf said.
Resident Cindy Byrd chatted with Wilsey afterward. She wore a Cubs’ jersey with “Maddon 70.”
“It was wonderful, I learned a lot,” Byrd said.
The audience cleanly fielded the trivia questions peppered at them by Wilsey, as ably as a Banks home run or a slick fielding play by Luis Apraicio of the White Sox.
“This is the best audience I have ever had for the presentation,” Wilsey said. “One even came within a few home runs of Nellie Fox (White Sox) career total of 35.”
Wilsey, 51, wore a Boston Red Sox hat, as he had grown up there and followed their teams. He asked the crowd their emotions when the Cubs won the World Series in 2016, ending a 108-year wait on Nov. 2, 2016. Some said it was emotional, others said they cried.
The presentation covered baseball icons from the decades. Wilsey mentioned Cubs pitching ace Greg Maddux, he of fast games and strong fielding and 17 seasons of 15 wins in Chicago and Atlanta.
“I think the best players are the ones who shine in the post-season, when the lights are the brightest, and I like players who play with a chip on their shoulder,” Wilsey said.
There were cheers when Cubs legendary third baseman, the late Hall of Famer Ron Santo’s name was mentioned. Signed as a free agent in 1959, Santo made his debut on Sept. 19, 1960. In 1961 he participated in 61 double plays, went on to win five Gold Gloves, was an All-Star nine times and finished fourth in MVP voting in 1967. The 1969 All-Star Game, played in Washington, D.C., included Santo, shortstop Don Kessinger who started and second baseman Glenn Beckert and Ernie Banks at first base.
“Banks is known for being Mr. Cub, and the ‘let’s play two’ phrase,” Wilsey said. “He played 19 years, from 1953-71, and was a First Ballot Hall of Famer in 1977. One season he hit a record five grand slams (which the audience knew) and won the MVP twice. He was the whole package. He was signed by the Kansas City Monarchs in 1950, and came up to the big leagues with Gene Baker.”
Cubs Hall of Famer “’Sweet Swinging’” Billy Williams won the Rookie-of-the-Year Award in 1961. “He hit 20 or more home runs several times despite his slender build, and played left, right and center field as well as first base. In 1972, he batted .340, with 37 home runs and 122 RBIs, finishing second in the MVP voting to Reds’ catcher Johnny Bench and was elected to the Hall-of-Fame.”
Also noted for a Hall of Fame career was starting pitcher Ferguson Jenkins from Chatham, Ontario, Canada, who came to the Cubs in a trade with the Phillies, Ferguson Jenkins.
“Did you know that Jenkins also was a member of the Harlem Globetrotters’ basketball team,” Wilsey said. The audience knew both facts about Jenkins, who was known for his complete games and capturing the 1971 Cy Young Award. Jenkins led both leagues in wins at one time each and ended with 3,000 strikeouts.
Another Hall of Famer, Ryne Sandberg, was noted for his six Gold Gloves won at second base and playing in the All-Star Game multiple times and retiring with a .287 batting average and 238 home runs.
The White Sox’ stars accomplishments were also celebrated.
“There was broadcaster Hawk Harrelson, you either loved him or hated him,” Wilsey said. “You knew if they were losing, because he would be quiet.”
“Then there was Manager Ozzie Guillen, who led them to the World Series championship in 2005 over Houston. My aunt from Chicago always wanted him to come back and manage again.”
Slugger Frank Thomas had a great career and “belongs in discussions on the Mount Rushmore of Chicago sports,” Wilsey commented. “He was one of four players who had a .300 batting average, 500 home runs, 1,500 RBIs and 1,000 runs scored.
Then there was outfielder Harold Baines’ great career. He hit .321 in 31 post-season games, was a six-time All-Star, had 221 home runs against lefties and 585 career extra base hits.
Wilsey watched catcher Carlton “Pudge” Fisk have great years in Boston, then he signed with the White Sox for the 1983 division winners. Fisk bashed 328 career home runs, and hit for the cycle in a 1984 game. Fisk led the team to the 1983 division pennant.
First baseman Paul Konerko was a standout in the 1990s, after a trade from the Reds. He had 24 homers and 81 RBIs in 1994.
Nellie Fox, as mentioned earlier, was a solid infielder for many years. “He played from1941-1965, and when he was with the Philadelphia A’s, they had 210 double plays. He was also very hard to strike out,” Wilsey said.
“Infielder Minnie Minoso was a great ambassador for the game, playing 17 seasons and he played two games in 1980,” Wilsey said.
