List Books » Cubs Win the Pennant!: Charlie Grimm, the Billy Goat Curse, and the 1945 World Series Run
Authors: John C. Skipper
ISBN-13: 9780786418169, ISBN-10: 0786418168
Format: Paperback
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Date Published: May 2004
Edition: (Non-applicable)
On September 29, 1945, the Chicago Cubs' fireball pitcher Paul Erickson threw a curve ball to Tommy O'Brien of the Pittsburgh Pirates with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. O'Brien's knees buckled, as any hitter's knees would when he expects a fastball but gets a curve instead. O'Brien had reason to be surprised-it was Erickson's first curveball of the game, and some even claim that it was his first of the year. The ball crossed home plate for strike three. The Cubs won 4-3 and captured the National League championship.
The Cubs' journey to the National League pennant in 1945 is detailed here. The author interviewed nine surviving members of the 1945 Cubs, including pitchers Erickson, Hank Borowy, Hank Wyse and Claude Passeau, second baseman Don Johnson, shortstop Lenny Merullo, backup catcher Dewey Williams, first baseman Phil Cavaretta, and outfielder Andy Pafko, and includes their recollections of that magical Cubs season.
About the Author
A newspaper journalist and onetime general manager of a minor league baseball team, John C. Skipper is also the author of A Biographical Dictionary of Major League Baseball Managers (2003, $45), A Biographical Dictionary of the Baseball Hall of Fame (2000, $45), Take Me Out to the Cubs Game (2000, $29.95), Umpires (1997, $24.95) and Inside Pitch (1996, $29.95). He lives in Mason City, Iowa.
Introduction | 1 | |
I. | The Return of Charlie Grimm | 9 |
II. | Pitching Staff: The Old and the Wyse | 26 |
III. | The Starting Lineup | 39 |
IV. | The Season Begins | 65 |
V. | The "Pitch and Pray" Lineup Wins It All | 82 |
VI. | Surprises and Otherwises | 100 |
VII. | The American League Pennant Race | 110 |
VIII. | The World Series | 128 |
IX. | Afterthoughts | 160 |
X. | Major League Career Statistics of 1945 Cubs | 172 |
Bibliography | 193 | |
Index | 195 |