The Cubs Retire #31

Everyone alive today knows about Greg Maddux, but if you didn't get a chance to see Fergie Jenkins pitch, you missed something truly special. After two "cups of coffee" in 1965 and 1966, Jenkins would win 20 games or more in his first six full seasons in the big leagues. Fergie only spent the better part of ten years with the Cubs, yet, he has won more games than any pitcher in the franchise's history. He is, and will be until 2014, the only pitcher in baseball history to go to the Hall of Fame with over 3,000 strikeouts and under 1,000 walks. Fergie is also a class act. Congratulations to Fergie Jenkins whose number 31 flies over the left field flagpole in my personal favorite ballpark, Wrigley Field. (And congratulations to Greg Maddux whose number 31 now flies over the right field flagpole in Wrigley Field.)