Reminiscing: 1973 Cubs - 1st Place on Memorial Day
Jun 1, 2016 14:51:12 GMT -5
TheNatural likes this
Post by 2mileshighillini on Jun 1, 2016 14:51:12 GMT -5
Everyone remembers the heartbreak of 1969. But after some research i had some memories jogged about a unique season.
1) Before this year: the only Cubs team ever, to have a 3(+) game lead on Memorial Day (Memorial Day created in 1971).
2) Had a 7 1/2 game lead on June 29th. (and subsequently went 9-33 in their next 42 games)
3) From 1946-1983: The only Cubs team to be in contention on the final day of the regular season.
4) Finished in 5th place.
Down the stretch, the Cubs won 6 of 7 (4 of those games were at home - none of those home games even drew 3,000 fans), but were shut-out on consecutive days (1-0 / 2-0) by the Cardinals, heading into the last weekend. In the final weekend, the Cubs were rained-out on Fri & Sat. They had to schedule a pair of DH's with the Mets on the final day of the season and on Monday. With rain still a threat and no lights at Wrigley, both front-end games were scheduled to start at 10:00 am.
If the Cubs were to sweep the series, it was actually possible to have a 5 way tie for 1st place, with all 5 teams ending sub .500. That would of required at least an additional 3 days of ballgames to determine the winner of the NL East. Which really would of fucked up the entire post-season schedule.
The Cubs scored in the 8th and won the 1st game, 1-0 (Reuschel vs Matlack). Speculation went nutz.
The Mets spoiled the dream in game 2 (Jenkins vs Koosman) and then ruined the Cardinals hopes by clinching the Division in game 3 (Hooton vs Seaver), thus cancelling game 4. Milt Pappas was scheduled for game 4, but the cancellation cost him the opportunity to win his 100th NL game.
Attendance for the 1st DH was 21,432 / Attendance for 2nd scheduled DH was 1,913.
Joe Pepitone was traded in 1973 to Atlanta for Andre Thornton.
Rico Carty was acquired by the Cubs, mid-season '73, but clashed with Ron Santo and was traded a month later to the A's.
Mike Krukow was drafted in the 8th round.
Tony LaRussa played 1 game for the Cubs in '73.
Ernie Banks was a coach for the Cubs in '73.
The Cubs went 8-4 against the Big Red Machine
Rick Monday led the Cubs with 26 HR's. Nobody else hit more than 20.
Santo and Billy Williams started in the All Star Game. Both, the NL & AL featured 11 future Hall of Fame players and coaches.
1) Before this year: the only Cubs team ever, to have a 3(+) game lead on Memorial Day (Memorial Day created in 1971).
2) Had a 7 1/2 game lead on June 29th. (and subsequently went 9-33 in their next 42 games)
3) From 1946-1983: The only Cubs team to be in contention on the final day of the regular season.
4) Finished in 5th place.
Down the stretch, the Cubs won 6 of 7 (4 of those games were at home - none of those home games even drew 3,000 fans), but were shut-out on consecutive days (1-0 / 2-0) by the Cardinals, heading into the last weekend. In the final weekend, the Cubs were rained-out on Fri & Sat. They had to schedule a pair of DH's with the Mets on the final day of the season and on Monday. With rain still a threat and no lights at Wrigley, both front-end games were scheduled to start at 10:00 am.
If the Cubs were to sweep the series, it was actually possible to have a 5 way tie for 1st place, with all 5 teams ending sub .500. That would of required at least an additional 3 days of ballgames to determine the winner of the NL East. Which really would of fucked up the entire post-season schedule.
The Cubs scored in the 8th and won the 1st game, 1-0 (Reuschel vs Matlack). Speculation went nutz.
The Mets spoiled the dream in game 2 (Jenkins vs Koosman) and then ruined the Cardinals hopes by clinching the Division in game 3 (Hooton vs Seaver), thus cancelling game 4. Milt Pappas was scheduled for game 4, but the cancellation cost him the opportunity to win his 100th NL game.
Attendance for the 1st DH was 21,432 / Attendance for 2nd scheduled DH was 1,913.
Joe Pepitone was traded in 1973 to Atlanta for Andre Thornton.
Rico Carty was acquired by the Cubs, mid-season '73, but clashed with Ron Santo and was traded a month later to the A's.
Mike Krukow was drafted in the 8th round.
Tony LaRussa played 1 game for the Cubs in '73.
Ernie Banks was a coach for the Cubs in '73.
The Cubs went 8-4 against the Big Red Machine
Rick Monday led the Cubs with 26 HR's. Nobody else hit more than 20.
Santo and Billy Williams started in the All Star Game. Both, the NL & AL featured 11 future Hall of Fame players and coaches.
