1961 Chicago Cubs season
Encyclopedia
The Chicago Cubs
season was a season in American baseball. The team finished seventh in the National League
with a record of 64-90, 29 games behind the Cincinnati Reds
.
", a system instituted by owner Philip K. Wrigley
after input from El Tappe
. Under this system, the Cubs would have no single manager
, but instead would have a rotating series of eight coaches, with one managing the team while others served as either assistant coaches or minor league field personnel.
Four different men served as manager during 1961: Tappe, who served the most games in the position and had a record of 42-54; Harry Craft
, who had a record of 7-9; Vedie Himsl
, who had a record of 10-21; and Lou Klein
, who was brought on board in midseason and had a record of 5-6. Other coaches in the system during the season were Charlie Grimm
-- the team's manager in 1960
-- Bobby Adams
, Dick Cole, Ripper Collins
, Goldie Holt
, Fred Martin
and Verlon Walker
. The team improved to 64-90, four games better than their 1960 record, although none of the four managers posted a winning record individually. The experiment would be carried over into the 1962 season
.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
season was a season in American baseball. The team finished seventh in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
with a record of 64-90, 29 games behind the Cincinnati Reds
1961 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Reds winning the National League pennant with a record of 93-61, four games over the runner-up Los Angeles Dodgers, but losing the World Series in five games to the New York Yankees. The Reds were managed by Fred...
.
The College of Coaches
This season marked the introduction of the so-called "College of CoachesCollege of Coaches
The College of Coaches was an unorthodox strategy employed by the Chicago Cubs in 1961 and 1962. After the Cubs finished 60-94 in 1960, their 14th straight second-division finish, Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley announced in December 1960 that the Cubs would no longer have a manager, but would be led by...
", a system instituted by owner Philip K. Wrigley
Philip K. Wrigley
Philip Knight Wrigley , sometimes also called P.K. or Phil. Born in Chicago, he was an American chewing gum manufacturer and executive in Major League Baseball, inheriting both those roles as the quiet son of his much more flamboyant father, William Wrigley Jr. After his father died in 1932, Philip...
after input from El Tappe
El Tappe
Elvin Walter Tappe was an American professional baseball player, a catcher for the Chicago Cubs from 1954 to 1962, but he was best known for being part of the Philip K. Wrigley-implemented College of Coaches in the 1961 season...
. Under this system, the Cubs would have no single manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
, but instead would have a rotating series of eight coaches, with one managing the team while others served as either assistant coaches or minor league field personnel.
Four different men served as manager during 1961: Tappe, who served the most games in the position and had a record of 42-54; Harry Craft
Harry Craft
Harry Francis Craft was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. Born in Ellisville, Mississippi, he was an center fielder for the Cincinnati Reds from 1937–1942...
, who had a record of 7-9; Vedie Himsl
Vedie Himsl
Avitus Bernard "Vedie" Himsl was an American baseball coach and scout. He was born in Plevna, Montana.- Career:...
, who had a record of 10-21; and Lou Klein
Lou Klein
Louis Frank Klein was an infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cleveland Indians, and the Philadelphia Athletics, but he was best known as one of the players that jumped to the Mexican League and was subsequently banned by Commissioner Happy Chandler for a five year span .Klein was the...
, who was brought on board in midseason and had a record of 5-6. Other coaches in the system during the season were Charlie Grimm
Charlie Grimm
Charles John Grimm , nicknamed "Jolly Cholly", was a first baseman and manager in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the Chicago Cubs; he was also a sometime radio broadcaster, and a popular goodwill ambassador for baseball...
-- the team's manager in 1960
1960 Chicago Cubs season
The 1960 Chicago Cubs season involved the Cubs' seventh place finish in the National League with a record of 60-94, 35 games behind the NL and World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates.- Offseason :* October 8, 1959: Randy Jackson was released by the Cubs....
-- Bobby Adams
Bobby Adams
Robert Henry Adams was a third baseman/second baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for the Cincinnati Reds & Redlegs , Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs . Adams batted and threw right-handed...
, Dick Cole, Ripper Collins
Ripper Collins
James Anthony "Rip" Collins was a Major League Baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Pittsburgh Pirates....
, Goldie Holt
Goldie Holt
Golden Desmond Holt was a player, coach and manager in Minor League Baseball, who also was a coach for several Major League Baseball teams. He was a manager and coach for several minor league teams between 1938 and 1947 and betweenn 1954-1958...
, Fred Martin
Fred Martin (baseball)
Fred Turner Martin was an American pitcher, coach and scout in Major League Baseball. Born in Williams, Oklahoma, Martin threw and batted right-handed, stood 6'1" tall and weighed 185 pounds during his active playing career.Martin was one of a handful American Major League players who "jumped"...
and Verlon Walker
Verlon Walker
Verlon Lee Walker was an American catcher in minor league baseball and a coach for the Chicago Cubs from 1961 through 1970...
. The team improved to 64-90, four games better than their 1960 record, although none of the four managers posted a winning record individually. The experiment would be carried over into the 1962 season
1962 Chicago Cubs season
- Offseason :* October 10, 1961: 1961 MLB expansion draft**Don Zimmer was drafted from the Cubs by the New York Mets.**Ed Bouchee was drafted from the Cubs by the New York Mets.* Prior to 1962 season: J. C...
.
Notable transactions
- April 1, 1961: Lou JohnsonLou JohnsonLouis Brown Johnson , nicknamed "Sweet Lou" and "Slick", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder...
was traded by the Cubs to the Los Angeles AngelsLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for Jim McAnanyJim McAnanyJames McAnany is a retired American professional baseball player. Primarily a right fielder, he played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1958 until 1962, for the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs....
. - May 9, 1961: Frank Thomas was traded by the Cubs to the Milwaukee BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Mel RoachMel RoachMelvin Earl Roach was a utility player for the Milwaukee Braves , Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies .He helped the Braves win the 1958 National League Pennant....
. - July 20, 1961: Curt MottonCurt MottonCurtell Howard Motton was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. Mainly a reserve left fielder and pinch hitter, he was with the Baltimore Orioles when they won three consecutive American League pennants and a World Series from to...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cubs. - September 21, 1961: Paul CasanovaPaul CasanovaPaulino Ortiz Casanova is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1965 to 1974 for the Washington Senators and Atlanta Braves.-Minor league career:...
was signed as a free agent the Cubs.
Roster
| 1961 Chicago Cubs | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Head Coach Coaches
|
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LF | 146 | 529 | 147 | .278 | 25 | 86 | |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89 | 235 | 56 | .238 | 8 | 23 | |
| 86 | 113 | 29 | .257 | 0 | 8 | |
| 15 | 50 | 13 | .260 | 2 | 6 | |
| 23 | 39 | 5 | .128 | 0 | 1 | |
| 4 | 13 | 5 | .385 | 2 | 3 | |
| 11 | 10 | 3 | .300 | 0 | 0 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 259.1 | 15 | 14 | 3.82 | 156 | |
| 37 | 186.2 | 10 | 11 | 3.86 | 91 | |
| 31 | 180.1 | 10 | 13 | 4.89 | 57 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 152 | 7 | 10 | 4.26 | 96 | |
| 35 | 98 | 1 | 4 | 4.22 | 48 | |
| 36 | 86.2 | 1 | 7 | 5.82 | 57 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 5.59 | 59 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9.00 | 0 |