2016 Anthony Rizzo Highlights

The best highlights of the World Series champion Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

Kris Bryant MVP 2016 Highlights,

Kris Bryant received 29 of 30 first place by the BBWAA to earn the 2016 National League Most Valuable Player award. Bryant became the first Chicago Cub to win the award since Sammy Sosa in 1998. It was the 11th time a Cub has won the award. Bryant hit 39 home runs with 102 RBI this season with a slash line of .292/.385/.554/.939. His WAR (wins against replacement) was 7.7.

Bryant was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2015. Only three other players have won the MVP award the year after being Rookie of the Year (Cal Ripken Jr., Ryan Howard, and Dustin Pedroia).  The award was just icing on the cake for the young third baseman after the Cubs won their first World Series championship since 1908 this season.

Sweet-Swinging Billy Williams

Sweet Swinging Billy Williams, he was tagged early in his career with the Chicago Cubs. Williams, who was the 1961 National League Rookie of the Year made his mark in baseball history with his durability, and bat.

Williams spent sixteen seasons in the major leagues fourteen of those with the Cubs, and his last two with the Oakland Athletics. Williams was an iron man his day playing 1,117 straight games from 1963-1970. His streak currently ranks sixth in major league history. He was a six-time National League All-Star, won the battling title in 1972. He was snubbed for the All-Star game in 1970 when had a 26 home runs and 80 RBI at the all-star break.

His best season was 1972, when he hit 37 home runs with 122 RBI, and hit .333. He finished second to Johnny Bench of the Reds in the MVP voting. His career numbers of 426 home runs, 1475 RBI, and a .290 batting average were enough to get him elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987.

Often over shadowed in recent years by fellow Hall Fame players Ferguson Jenkins, Ron Santo, and Ernie Banks, but Williams was a key member of the solid Chicago Cubs teams of the late 60's and eaarly 70's.

Gentleman Jim Hickman Passes Away

Former Chicago Cubs outfielder Jim Hickman has passed away according to reports. Hickman is remembered for delivering the game winning hit in the 1970 All-Star game in which Pete Rose blew up Ray Fosse at home plate.

Hickman broke in to the big leagues with the New York Mets after being selected in the expansion draft from the St. Louis Cardinals, and played with them from 1962-66. While in New York, Hickman became the first Met to hit for the cycle, and it was Hickman that hit the last home run in the Polo Grounds. He played the 1967 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers  before being sent packing to the Chicago Cubs.

He enjoyed his most productive year in 1970 with the Cubs. Hickman blasted 32 home runs with 115 RBI, and finished with a .315 batting average. They were career highs in all three categories. He would provided the Cubs two more solid seasons before tapering off in 1973, and spent 1974 with the Cardinals.

As a young fan of the Cubs Jim Hickman was always one of my favorites among the non-star players. In my young mind, it seemed he was always delivering in the clutch. Rest in peace Gentleman Jim.

Willson Contreras Impresses

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras has impressed at the major league level in his first week in the show. It started with slamming the first pitch he saw against the Pittsburgh Pirates for a home run, In his first week in the show Contreras has three home runs with nine RBI.He has eight hits in first 23 plate appearances with three walks, and a double.

Contreras possesses a sweet line drive type swing. He will hit the long ball, but should provide the Cubs with an extra base threat. He will not only provide the Cubs with more pop, but he has a keen eye at the plate. Last season, at AA Tennessee Contreras walked 57 times while striking out only 62.

Contreras has not only shown his ability to hit, he has been flexible in the field catching for the injured Miguel Montero, playing first base, and left field. Contreras was signed by the Cubs as an infielder, but was converted to a catcher in 2012. Being flexible in the field is something that Cubs thrive at with several players able to play multiple positions. His catching skills need some work, but he has improved with experience.

National pundits called for the Cubs to include Contreras in trades for starting pitching, or a centerfielder before the Cubs re-inked Dexter Fowler. Contreras could be a valuable asset to the Cubs in their attempt to break their World Series drought. Montero has struggled with minor injuries, and at the plate this season making the call up of Contreras important to post season run.

Chicago Cubs Rookie Willson Contreras Homers In First At-Bat:

June 19, 2016. Chicago Cubs rookie catcher Willson Contreras hits a two-run blast on the first pitch thrown to him in the Major Leagues. The home run helped lead the Cubs to a 10-5 win, and a sweep of the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ernie Banks Hits 500th Home Run

May 12, 1970. Chicago Cubs great Ernie Banks hits his 500th home run of his career off Atlanta Braves hurler Pat Jarvis. Rico Carty of the Braves retrieves the ball after it bounces back onto the field.

Kyle Farnsworth-Paul Wilson Fight

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Paul Wilson doesn't like an inside pitch, and charges Kyle Farnsworth of the Chicago Cubs. It doesn't end well for Wilson. <

Sammy Sosa-Tony Womack Hit Inside-The-Park-Home Runs

May 26, 1997. The Chicago Cubs Sammy Sosa and the Pittsburgh Pirates Tony Womack both hit inside-the-park home runs in the 6th inning at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh.  The Cubs win the game 2-1.

Ferguson Jenkins Records 3,000th Strike Out

May 25, 1982. Chicago Cubs right-hand pitcher Ferguson Jenkins whiffs Gary Templeton of the San Diego Padres to record his 3,000th career strike out.

Ken Hubbs Has Eight Straight Hits

May 20, 1962. In a doubleheader sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs second baseman has eight straight singles. Hubbs would go on to be named Rookie of the Year. Hubbs would tragically die in airplane crash on February 13, 1964 at the age of 22.

Cubs-White Sox Brawl

May 20, 2006. At U.S. Cellular Field, A.J. Pierzynski makes a hard, but clean slide into Chicago Cubs catcher Michael Barrett. Barrett then punches Pierzynski, which ignites a brawl between the two teams. Who won the fight may be in dispute, but the White Sox won the game 7-0. Join Amazon Third Party Video Subscriptions Free Trial

Kerry Wood Makes Last Appearance

Sammy Sosa Hits Two Home Runs In One Inning

May 16, 1996. Sammy Sosa becomes the first Chicago Cub to hit two home runs in one inning. The feat was accomplished in the seventh inning against the Houston Astros in 13-1 Cubs romp. He leads of the inning with a home run off Jeff Tabaka, and later in the inning he would add a two-run shot off Jim Dougherty.

Sammy Sosa Hits 400th Career Home Run

May 16, 2001. Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs hits his 400th career home run of Houston Astro righthander Shane Reynolds at Wrigley Field. The home run makes Sosa third on the Chicago Cubs all-time list, and the 33rd player in MLB history to hit 400 career home runs. Shop Amazon - Top Rated Products

Dave Kingman Hits Home Run Over Waveland

Dave Kingman was known for his majestic home runs, poor defense, and surly disposition. In his career he blasted 442 home runs with 1,210 RBI. Kingman was a three time All-Star, and won home run twice in 1979, and 1982 in the National League. Kingman became the first player with over 400 home runs that wasn't elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Shop Amazon - Top Rated Products

Javier Baez's Walk Off Home Run 05/08/2016

May 8, 2016. Javier Baez crushes a walk-off home run against the Washington Nationals. The extra inning win gives the Cubs a four-game sweep over the visiting Nats. The Cubs continue their best start since 1907.

Starlin Castro Hits First Home Run

May 7, 2010. Starlin Castro in his first big league at bat hits a home run. He is the sixth Chicago Cub to accomplish that feat. Castro will also drive in six runs in a 14-7 win over the Cincinnati Reds. He became the first player to have six RBI in his first game in the major leagues.

Kerry Wood Whiffs 20 Houston Astros

May 6, 1998. Kerry Wood ties the major league strike out record by fanning 20 Houston Astros in a 2-0  one-hit victory. The 20 strikeouts is a new National League record with the previous being 19 by Steve Carlton and Tom Seaver.  He ties Roger Clemens with 20 strikeouts.

1876 Chicago White Stockings

April 25, 1876, the Chicago White Stockings when their opening game in the inaugural season of the National League. The beat the Louisville Grays 4-0 in Louisville. The White Stockings would change their name first to the Colts, Orphans, and now known as the Chicago Cubs. They would win the National League championship in the first year of the the league.