marc@bmcg.UUCP (08/01/84)
Why do people in the news media and our own net keep referring to the Cubs' "famous fade"? Although it was, admittedly, spectacular, it only happened ONCE. The only thing this year's team has in common with that one is the trainer; even the owner is different. Someone's going to say that there's one more thing in common -- all day games -- but I find it hard to believe that several hours in the sun, 4-5 times a week is going to make a trained athlete "fade" in September. Maybe instead it was a combination of the '69 Mets' young pitching staff jelling as the season went on, and the Cubs not being as good as everyone thought. (Sure they had the entire NL starting infield in the All-Star game, but Hundley was a lousy hitter, Beckert had limited range, Kessinger had a 2nd baseman's arm, and Santo couldn't hit in close games.) Marc Lee Burroughs Corp.
rung@ihuxw.UUCP (Pete Rung) (08/07/84)
There was another famous fade of the Cubs in either 77 or 78. The Cubs were in first on August 1 and then lost Rick Reuschel (their ace that year) and Bruce Sutter to injuries. As far as the 69 Cubs go, the Mets were a miracle that year. Hundley wasn't lousy with hjis bat at all. He hit in the clutch that year as no one on the staff could. He showed great leadership for the team. Beckert was a good 2nd baseman and great at sacrificing the lead off man (Kessinger). He just got tired by the end of the season and in a recent WGN interview said that he really should have started 3 less games in the month of August to make it through September (the day heat did get to him). Kessinger with a 2nd basemans arm? Flame time approaches. If you look in the record book, Kessinger did have several golden glove awards. There have been very few shortstops (in either league) in the last 15 years that could top Kessingers consistant defensive performance! What a DP combination Kessinger and Sandberg would've made!!! -- Pete Rung AT&T Bell Labs Naperville, Ill. ihnp4!ihuxw!rung