#31 Retirement Ceremony, Fergie Jenkins, Greg Maddux

May 2, 2009

Fergie Jenkins (long overdue) and Greg Maddux were honored today at Wrigley by having their numbers retired. They each got their own #31 flag.

Left Field: Ernie Banks #14, Ron Santo #1o, Fergie Jenkins #31

Right Field: Billie Williams #26, Ryne Sandburg #23, Greg Maddux #31

Both of them were assigned their numbers by Yosh - Fergie wanting 13 - Maddux’s was waiting for him in his locker.

Video courtesy of lEverything

PART 1

PART 2

Both underrated and understated. Their stats a tribute to their hard work, preparation, mental and physical toughness, love of Wrigley and the intangible - love of the game. Both played for the Cubs twice in a non-pitcher’s park and on teams that were not winning machines. They could both hit and field and were “players” not pitchers as Ronnie likes to say. Maddux was never injured, barely missed a start and won 355 games, which will never be eclipsed. Fergie had 6 20-win seasons - 5 in a row - which never be repeated.

And they both won without cheating.

Just a few stats

FERGUSON JENKINS
284 Wins
3.34 ERA
3192 strikeouts
1971 Cy Young Award
1991 Hall of Fame

GREG MADDUX
355 Wins
3.16 ERA
3371 Strikeouts
4 Cy Young Awards

WGN's John Willliams interviews Fergie Jenkins

May 2, 2009

Worth listening to. April 16th WGN interview - John Williams and Ferguson Jenkins talk about baseball, what Fergie’s up to, the old Cubbies, today’s players and their salaries. It took 6 20-win seasons for Fergie to make $100K. How much does Soriano get to jog to first and hop out in left?

Fergie always brings up how bad he wants to coach. Billie, Ronnie, Ernie and Ryno are all directly involved with the Cubbies and Fergie has always been the odd man out. He would give anything to coach. He says it each time he’s on and nobody in the Cubs organization hears him. It’s wrong. Depending on his present finances - he’d probably do it for free.

I hope the way overdue retirement of his number is just the start. It would be great to see him around like the other guys.

WGN

Baseball was Fergie’s third sport. He played hockey and played with the Harlem Globetrotters

#31 Fergie Jenkins, Greg Maddux retired tomorrow

May 2, 2009

Ferguson Jenkins is finally getting his #31 up on the flagpole. Way overdue. And when it finally happens, he has to share the moment with Greg Maddux. Fergie is always the odd man out. And if they only put up one number?

Left Field: Ernie Banks #14, Ron Santo #10, Ferguson Jenkins #31

Right Field: Billy Williams #26, Ryne Sanberg #23, Greg Maddux $31

That’s the way t should be and that’s the way they better do it.

And then it’s Ronnie followed by Maddux into Cooperstown.

Way better than the World Series.