Results tagged ‘ Fergie Jenkins ’
7/17 Countdown to Cooperstown
Fergie Jenkins can’t wait until Ron Santo is able to add “Hall of Fame” after his name. Unfortunately, as Cubs fans know, the honor came too late for Santo to do that himself. Santo, the long time Cubs third baseman and radio color man, will be inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday in Cooperstown. As part of a week-long series of events, Santo, who died in December 2010, almost one year to the day before he was elected into the Hall, was celebrated on Tuesday at the “Cubs Corner” luncheon sponsored by WGN Radio.
“Everybody’s asking how we’re gearing up for it and what we’re looking forward to,” Ron Santo Jr. said. “Personally, I’ve never been there, so I’m looking forward to actually going to Cooperstown and seeing the museum and the town and everything I’ve heard about. It’s just icing on the cake to watch the presentation on Sunday to see dad’s plaque finally go up.”
Santo’s wife Vickie will deliver the speech Sunday, and has been practicing, Ron Jr. said, but not in front of family.
“I think she’d probably be more nervous doing that in front of us than in front of the crowd,” he said.
Jenkins, who was Santo’s Cubs teammate, and inducted into Cooperstown in 1991, will attend the festivities Sunday.
“I think the family in general will be really excited because of the fact that Ronnie is getting inducted,” Jenkins said. “Unfortunately, Ronnie isn’t with us, but now with Ron Santo’s name, you’ll see ‘HOF’ behind it, it’ll be very important. This is an opportunity to get put in a class of great athletes, and Ronnie was a great athlete.”
Santo’s son, Jeff, who directed “This Old Cub,” a movie about his father’s life, has put together a special edition of the film (available at santofilms.com) which includes footage of the statue unveiling at Wrigley Field for his father as well as the city of Chicago’s sendoff after his funeral. Fans also can celebrate Santo highlights on a CD compiled by Hughes, part of his “Baseball Voices” collection.
“This was something he wanted ever since he retired,” Ron Jr. said. “To him, it was the pinnacle.”
– Carrie Muskat
7/14 Ron Santo week
Ron Santo will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 22, and there will be a series of events leading up to the ceremony in Cooperstown. It will be finalized July 27 with Ron Santo Day at Wrigley Field, when the team will honor the former third baseman with a special pregame ceremony featuring members of his family. The first 10,000 fans in the gate will receive a commemorative Ron Santo Hall of Fame plaque, courtesy of PNC Bank, while commemorative memorabilia will also be available for purchase. The team has partnered with Scotts to incorporate an honorary design into the outfield grass of Wrigley Field for that afternoon’s game.
“Ron Santo embodied what it meant to be a Chicago Cub,” chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. “This franchise couldn’t be prouder as he is enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and we’re honored he will forever represent the Chicago Cubs in Cooperstown. Our family looks forward to celebrating this well-deserved accomplishment with Cubs fans worldwide.”
* July 17 – Cubs Corner Luncheon, Chicago
Ron’s son, Ron Santo Jr., plus former teammate and Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins, and Cubs WGN Radio broadcaster Pat Hughes will reflect on Ron’s Hall of Fame induction during a panel discussion at the Cubs Corner Luncheon at Wildfire restaurant in Chicago. The session will air on WGN Radio 720 AM from 12-1 p.m. CT. Tickets are $55 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Each guest receives an autographed photo of a featured panelist upon check-in and lunch. On-site registration begins at 11 a.m CT. Tickets are available at www.cubs.com/cubscorner.
* July 21 – Cubs Fan Fest, Cooperstown, N.Y.
The Cubs will host a Cubs Fan Fest in Cooperstown on July 21 in honor of Ron Santo’s induction into the Hall of Fame. The party will be held in the lawn-tented section of Cooperstown’s Fenimore Art Museum from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. This casual party is for Cubs fans who wish to celebrate Santo’s life and induction with other members of the Cubs community, including Ron’s teammates and several members of the Cubs front office. Special guests include Pat Hughes, Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins, Randy Hundley, Glenn Beckert, the Ricketts family and others. Attendees will enjoy a live question and answer session, video of memorable Santo moments, music, food and drinks. A suggested $10 donation at the event will help benefit Chicago Cubs Charities and the not-for-profit National Baseball Hall of Fame.
* July 22 – National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Cooperstown, N.Y.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place July 22 at 1:30 p.m. ET on the grounds outside of the Clark Sports Center. The ceremony is expected to last two hours. Seating for the event is unlimited and free of charge. A blanket or lawn chair is recommended for comfortable viewing. Ball caps, yearbooks and museum membership packages are available for purchase at the Hall of Fame induction site.
* July 22 – Hall of Fame Induction Viewing Party, Wrigley Field’s Captain Morgan Club, Chicago
Concurrent with the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, the Cubs will host a viewing party at the Captain Morgan Club adjacent to Wrigley Field starting at 11 a.m. CT. Attendees can watch the ceremony live on dozens of televisions from 12:30-2:30 p.m. CT just steps away from Ron Santo’s statue at the corner of Addison Street and Sheffield Avenue.
* July 27 – Ron Santo Day at Wrigley Field, Chicago
The first Cubs home game following the Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be dedicated to honoring Ron Santo in the ballpark he enjoyed the most. The following activities will highlight Ron Santo Day at Wrigley Field:
- The Cubs will honor Santo during an on-field ceremony featuring members of his family before the 1:20 p.m. CT game vs. the Cardinals.
- The first 10,000 fans will receive a commemorative Ron Santo Hall of Fame plaque, courtesy of PNC Bank.
- The outfield grass in center field will showcase an honorary No. 10 design that was chosen by fans through a partnership with Scotts, the Official Lawn Care Company of the Cubs and Major League Baseball.
- Chicago Kernel Gourmet Popcorn will hand out free samples of their gourmet popcorn at Wrigley Field and sell a limited-edition collectible art popcorn tin commemorating Ron Santo’s legendary career and induction into the Hall of Fame. Each tin includes a limited-edition Ron Santo baseball card.
- Majestic will offer commemorative Ron Santo Hall of Fame Cubs jerseys, T-shirts and patches for sale, with proceeds benefitting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
Fans may purchase tickets for the July 27 game at Wrigley Field at www.cubs.com.
4/17 Dempster casino night May 9
Mark your calendars for May 9 for the third annual Dempster Foundation Casino Night at the Palmer House in Chicago. Singer and songwriter Crystal Bowersox, a contestant on “American Idol,” will join Chicago’s own John Vincent to entertain guests at the event. If you buy your ticket before Friday, you’ll be entered into a drawing for an upgrade to a VIP party. Tickets are $175 for general admission, $300 for two people, general admission; and $1,000 for two VIP tickets.
Among the items to be available to bid on at the auction will be:
* Authentic baseball autographed by both baseball legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
* Ryder Cup Golf Tournament Package
* Fergie Jenkins & Ryan Dempster Autographed Authentic Stadium Seat
* 2011-2012 Chicago Blackhawks Team Signed Stick
*Albert Pujols Autographed Baseball
* Don Mattingly Autographed Baseball Bat
*Autographed Ryan Dempster Authentic Chicago Cubs Jersey
* Sammy Sosa Autographed Baseball
* Ernie Banks Autographed Jersey
* Behind the Scenes Experience at MLB Network
* “Man Cave” Electronics Package from Abt Electronics
* Giovanni Clothes, Inc., Custom-Made Zegma Suit
*Autographed and Framed Cubs Hall of Fame Legends Poster
* Chicago Cubs Honorary Bat Boy for a Day Experience
Proceeds benefit the Ryan and Jenny Dempster Family Foundation in their fight against 22q (also known as DiGeorge Syndrome). Dempster’s daughter Riley has DiGeorge syndrome, a chromosome abnormality that can cause a wide range of health and developmental issues. Since its inception in January 2010, the foundation has raised more than $1.1 million.
– Carrie Muskat
8/10 Williams & Santo together again
Billy Williams has shared a spot in the Cubs lineup with Ron Santo, and played with the third baseman in the Minor Leagues and Major Leagues. The Hall of Fame outfielder is more than willing to share his corner at Addison and Sheffield streets outside Wrigley Field.
On Wednesday night, the Cubs will unveil a statue honoring the late Santo, who died in December at the age of 70. The bronze will be placed on the same corner near the right field corner as a statue of Williams.
“I wish he could have been here for this,” Williams said of his former teammate. “I’m really thrilled about it. With Ernie and myself having been pillars of this organization, it’s only fitting for him to have a statue.”
Santo’s statue will be the third of a Cubs player, joining Banks, whose bronze is at the Clark and Addison corner, and Williams, whose statue was added last year. There also is a bronze of broadcaster Harry Caray at the corner of Sheffield and Waveland.
“We’ve been sharing third, fourth place all the time [in the lineup],” said Williams, who played for the Cubs from 1959-74, while Santo played from 1960-73. “We were in Double-A, Triple-A baseball together. Rogers Hornsby put his stamp of approval on us. It’s nice [the statues are together]. I like sharing the corner with the guy.”
Williams will join Santo’s former teammates Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Randy Hundley and Glenn Beckert at the festivities, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. CT.
– Carrie Muskat
8/8 Santo statue dedication on Wednesday
The Cubs will unveil a statue of late third baseman and broadcaster Ron Santo on Wednesday at the corner of Sheffield and Addison streets outside Wrigley Field. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. CT, and guests scheduled to attend include members of the Santo and Ricketts families and several of Santo’s teammates, including Ernie Banks, Glenn Beckert, Randy Hundley, Fergie Jenkins, Milt Pappas and Billy Williams. In honor of the event, the Cubs will donate $10 from every ticket sold on Cubs.com using the special promo code “JDRF.” The Cubs play host to the Nationals that night at Wrigley Field.
– Carrie Muskat
3/18 Golf tourney raises $25,000
The inaugural Chicago Cubs Charities Celebrity Golf Tournament raised $25,000 for charitable organizations in Mesa on Friday. Proceeds will be shared between Chicago Cubs Charities, Sunshine Acres Children’s Home, Banner Cardon Children’s Medical Center and the Mesa HoHoKam Foundation. More than 70 golfers participated, including Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins and Billy Williams, GM Jim Hendry, assistant GM Randy Bush, radio broadcaster Keith Moreland, Major Leaguers Bill Buckner, Mariano Duncan, Jeff Fassero, and John “Blue Moon” Odom, and Phoenix Suns Tim Kempton and Eddie Johnson.
– Carrie Muskat
3/11 How many home openers have you gone to?
Where were you on April 4, 1994? That’s the day Tuffy Rhodes led off the first inning of the Cubs home opener with a homer, connecting off Dwight Gooden, then hit another in the third, also off Gooden, and another blast leading off the fifth, again off Doc. That wasn’t enough, as the Mets topped the Cubs, 12-8, in the season opener.
How about April 4, 1989? In that home opener, Andre Dawson backed Rick Sutcliffe with a two-run homer in the fourth to lead the Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the Phillies.
Or, do you recall the April 9, 1982, game when Fergie Jenkins and Lee Smith combined on a six-hit shutout in a 5-0 victory over the Mets?
We’re looking for fans who have dutifully attended Cubs home openers several years in a row, and are willing to share some stories about how special Opening Day at Wrigley Field is. Send a note to CubsInbox@gmail.com, and include your name and email address and some details.
– Carrie Muskat
1/15 Remembering Ronnie
The Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Chicago was packed Saturday as Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Fergie Jenkins, plus Randy Hundley, Jose Cardenal, Glenn Beckert, and Milt Pappas shared stories about Ron Santo. There were lots of laughs during the hour-long segment, clearly the most popular of all the events at the Cubs Convention. Beckert said when he first joined the Cubs, he was thrilled to learn he would room with Santo on the road. ”About a year later, I found out nobody else on the team wanted to room with him,” Beckert said.
Banks recalled Santo’s competitive spirit, saying “Billy would hit a home run and Ronnie would want to hit a home run.”
“He was like a brother to me,” Banks said. “I always think about him — he’s my friend.”
Santo died Dec. 3 from bladder cancer. He was 70. The Cubs will honor him with a No. 10 patch on their uniforms and also dedicate a bronze statue outside Wrigley Field.
– Carrie Muskat
1/12 Cubs radio update
The Cubs and WGN Radio will not announce Ron Santo’s replacement as color analyst at the weekend Cubs Convention. Interviews are currently being conducted and an announcement was expected sometime before Spring Training games begin.
Santo died Dec. 3 at the age of 70. The Cubs will celebrate him during the Convention in a seminar called “Remembering Ronnie,” to be held Saturday at the Hilton Chicago. Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Fergie Jenkins plus Glenn Beckert, Randy Hundley, Milt Pappas and Jose Cardenal will share some of stories about their teammate.
Who will take over for Santo? It most likely will not be Mark Grace or Rick Sutcliffe, two fan favorites. Grace is currently an analyst for the Diamondbacks and does work for FOX TV, while Sutcliffe signed a new contract with ESPN. The Cubs and WGN Radio are looking for a former Cubs player to do the job, but they want someone who can commit to the full 162-game schedule.
– Carrie Muskat
1/6 Cubs convention schedule
Want to ask Greg Maddux a question about his job with the Cubs? Maybe you’d like to talk to the Ricketts family? How about hearing Kerry Wood or Andrew Cashner discuss pitching? Or maybe you’d like to reminisce about Ron Santo? Those are some of the seminars scheduled for the 26th Cubs Convention, to be held Jan. 14-16 at the Hilton Chicago.
One of the best sessions may be Jan. 15 when Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Fergie Jenkins plus Glenn Beckert, Randy Hundley, Milt Pappas and Jose Cardenal share some of their favorite stories in “Remembering Ronnie.” The former Cubs will celebrate Santo, who died Dec. 3 at the age of 70.
The Jan. 15 schedule opens with the “Ricketts Family Forum,” giving Cubs fans a chance to ask ownership about their plans. Maddux, a special assistant to GM Jim Hendry, will join Hendry, assistant GM Randy Bush and manager Mike Quade in a “Meet Cubs Baseball Management” session.
Other seminars include:
* “Pitching Evolution:” Wood, Cashner, Randy Wells, Sean Marshall, Jeff Samardzija and new pitching coach Mark Riggins will explain the art of being a starting pitcher, set-up man and closer, the differences between the roles, and the pressures and rewards that come with each.
* “The Q Factor:” Quade and his coaching staff, including Riggins, Rudy Jaramillo, Lester Strode, Ivan DeJesus, Bob Dernier and Dave Keller, will discuss their techniques and philosophies heading into the 2011 season.
* “The Dominican Way of Life:” Aramis Ramirez, Starlin Castro, Carlos Pea and player development director Oneri Fleita will talk about their transition from the Dominican Republic to the United States. Fleita also will discuss how the organization scouts and develops international players to the U.S.
* “Down on the Farm:” Fleita and scouting director Tim Wilken will discuss future Cubs on Jan. 16. They will be preceded by a seminar featuring Tyler Colvin, James Russell, Darwin Barney and Scott Maine, who will talk about making the adjustment from the Minors to the big leagues. Both sessions will be completed in time to watch the Bears’ playoff game.
– Carrie Muskat
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