1977 Chicago Cubs season
Encyclopedia
The Chicago Cubs
season was a season in American baseball. The Cubs finished fourth in the National League East
with a record of 81-81, 20 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies
.
was named head of baseball operations for the Cubs. His first move was to inform Jim Marshall
that he was fired as manager
. Salty Saltwell
‚ after a year as general‚ was named secretary and director of park operations. After Leo Durocher
turned down an offer from Cubs owner Philip K. Wrigley
to manage the Cubs for the 1977 season, Herman Franks
‚ who had briefly been a Cubs coach under Leo Durocher
‚ was named the new manager.
lead led by Bobby Murcer
, who had 27 home runs and 89 RBI overall during the season, and Rick Reuschel
, who had a record of 20-10. However, the Philadelphia Phillies cut the lead to two by the All-Star break, as the Cubs sat 19 games over .500, and the Cubs swooned late in the season, going 20-40 after July 31, finishing in fourth place at 81-81.
On July 28, with the Cubs down 14-10 in the eighth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds
, the Cubs pinch-hit
for both of their middle infielders, replacing shortstop
Iván DeJesús
with José Cardenal
and second baseman
Mick Kelleher
with Greg Gross
. The Cubs scored three runs, making the score 14-13 going into the ninth inning. Since both replacements were typically outfielder
s, and the Cubs had just one player left on the bench who normally played middle infield to enter the game in the ninth inning, utilityman Dave Rosello, the Cubs allowed Cardenal to stay in the game and play second base while Rosello entered the game at shortstop. Rosello and Cardenal alternated between the two positions during the ninth inning depending on whether the batter was a left-handed or right-handed hitter. The Reds failed to score in the ninth, and the Cubs tied the game, forcing extra innings. At that point, the Cubs moved Cardenal to right field
, and brought Bobby Murcer in to pay the infield instead, continuing to flip-flop the positioning of Rosello and Murcer for the remainder of the game, which wound up going thirteen innings. In all, Rosello wound up switching positions twelve times, and Murcer eight times.
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 Cubs finished fourth in the National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
with a record of 81-81, 20 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies
1977 Philadelphia Phillies season
The 1977 Philadelphia Phillies season was the 95th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their second consecutive National League East division title with a record of 101-61, five games over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Phillies lost the NLCS to the Los Angeles Dodgers, three...
.
Offseason
On November 24, 1976, Bob KennedyBob Kennedy
Robert Daniel Kennedy was a right fielder/third baseman, manager and executive in Major League Baseball.From 1939-1957, Kennedy played for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Baltimore Orioles , Detroit Tigers and Brooklyn Dodgers . He batted and threw right-handed...
was named head of baseball operations for the Cubs. His first move was to inform Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall (baseball)
Rufus James Marshall is a former first baseman and manager in American Major League Baseball. Marshall managed the Chicago Cubs and the Oakland Athletics but never enjoyed a winning season in either post...
that he was fired as 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...
. Salty Saltwell
Salty Saltwell
E. R. "Salty" Saltwell was the general manager of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball in 1976.Like a predecessor, John Holland, Saltwell had been a general manager in the minor leagues. He was the GM with minor league affiliates in Des Moines, Iowa, and Los Angeles, California. Saltwell came...
‚ after a year as general‚ was named secretary and director of park operations. After Leo Durocher
Leo Durocher
Leo Ernest Durocher , nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Upon his retirement, he ranked fifth all-time among managers with 2,009 career victories, second only to John McGraw in National League history. Durocher still ranks tenth in career wins by...
turned down an offer from Cubs 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...
to manage the Cubs for the 1977 season, Herman Franks
Herman Franks
Herman Louis Franks was a catcher, coach, manager, general manager and scout in American Major League Baseball. He was born in Price, Utah.-Catcher with Cardinals, Dodgers and A's:...
‚ who had briefly been a Cubs coach under Leo Durocher
Leo Durocher
Leo Ernest Durocher , nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Upon his retirement, he ranked fifth all-time among managers with 2,009 career victories, second only to John McGraw in National League history. Durocher still ranks tenth in career wins by...
‚ was named the new manager.
Notable transactions
- December 6, 1976: Willie HernándezWillie HernándezGuillermo "Willie" Hernández Villanueva is a former relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs , Philadelphia Phillies , and the Detroit Tigers . He threw and batted left-handed.-Career:...
was drafted by the Cubs from the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in the 1976 rule 5 draftRule 5 draftThe Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. - December 8, 1976: Julio GonzálezJulio González (infielder)Julio César González Hernández is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He played all or part of seven seasons in the majors from until . He played about equally at shortstop and second base, with a lesser but still substantial number at third base.-Sources:...
was traded by the Cubs to the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for Greg GrossGreg GrossGregory Eugene Gross , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1973-1989, playing for the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, and Philadelphia Phillies...
. - January 11, 1977: Rick MondayRick MondayRobert James "Rick" Monday, Jr. is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball and is currently a broadcast announcer. From 1966 through 1984, Monday, a center fielder for most of his career, played for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics , Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
and Mike GarmanMike GarmanMichael Douglas Garman is a former Major League Baseball pitcher whom the Boston Red Sox selected with the third overall pick in the 1967 Major League Baseball Draft...
were traded by Cubs to the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for Bill BucknerBill BucknerWilliam Joseph Buckner is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Despite winning a batting crown in , representing the Chicago Cubs at the All-Star Game the following season and accumulating over 2,700 hits in his twenty-year career, he is best remembered for a fielding error during Game 6...
, Iván DeJesúsIvan DeJesusIván Alvarez DeJesús is a former Major League Baseball player from 1974 to 1988 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, and Detroit Tigers. DeJesús was regarded as a good fielding but light hitting shortstop...
and Jeff Albert (minors). - January 17, 1977: Geoff ZahnGeoff ZahnGeoffery Clayton Zahn is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 13-year career, he pitched from 1973-1985 for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs of the National League and the Minnesota Twins and California Angels of the American League...
was released by the Cubs. - February 5, 1977: Darold KnowlesDarold KnowlesDarold Duane Knowles is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher, and the current pitching coach of the Florida State League's Dunedin Blue Jays...
was traded by the Cubs to the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for a player to be named later and cash. The Rangers completed the trade by sending Gene ClinesGene ClinesEugene Anthony Clines is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball, Clines played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , New York Mets , Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs . He was also the hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs from 2005-2006...
to the Cubs on February 15. - February 11, 1977: Bill MadlockBill MadlockBill "Mad Dog" Madlock, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. From 1973 to 1987, Madlock was a right-handed hitter who won several National League batting titles. His record of four batting titles as a third baseman would be eclipsed in 1988 by Wade Boggs. Since 1970, only Tony Gwynn has...
and Rob SperringRob SperringRobert Walter Sperring was a baseball player who played for the Chicago Cubs from 1974 to 1976 and the Houston Astros in 1977....
were traded by the Cubs to the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for Bobby MurcerBobby MurcerBobby Ray Murcer was an American Major League Baseball outfielder who played for 17 seasons between 1965 and 1983, mostly with the New York Yankees, whom he later rejoined as a longtime broadcaster...
, Steve Ontiveros, and Andy Muhlstock (minors). - February 16, 1977: Champ SummersChamp SummersJohn Junior "Champ" Summers , is a former Major League Baseball player who played primarily as an outfielder and designated hitter for six teams during his eleven year career that spanned from 1974 to 1984...
was traded by the Cubs to the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Dave SchneckDave SchneckDavid Lee Schneck is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of three seasons, from until , with the New York Mets....
. - February 28, 1977: Buddy SchultzBuddy SchultzCharles Budd "Buddy" Schultz , was a Major League Baseball player who played pitcher from -. He played for the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals....
was traded by the Cubs to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Mark Covert (minors). - March 15, 1977: Joe Coleman was traded by the Cubs to the Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Jim ToddJim Todd (baseball)James Richard Todd, Jr. is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played six seasons in Major League Baseball from until .Todd was originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 10th round of the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft. He pitched in their organization through his major league debut...
. - March 15, 1977: Jerry TabbJerry TabbJerry Lynn Tabb is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played all or part of three seasons in the major leagues, from until , for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics.- Amateur career :...
was purchased from the Cubs by the Oakland Athletics. - March 15, 1977: Jim TyroneJim TyroneJames Vernon Tyrone is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball, between and , for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics. He also played four seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, from until , for the Seibu Lions and Nankai...
was traded by the Cubs to the Oakland Athletics for Gaylen PittsGaylen PittsGaylen Richard Pitts is an American professional baseball manager and coach, and a former third baseman at the Major League Baseball level. He is currently the special assistant for player development for the St...
.
Regular season
In 1977, the franchise experienced one of its biggest collapses. The Cubs hit a high-water mark on June 28 at 47-22 with an 8½-game National League EastNational League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
lead led by Bobby Murcer
Bobby Murcer
Bobby Ray Murcer was an American Major League Baseball outfielder who played for 17 seasons between 1965 and 1983, mostly with the New York Yankees, whom he later rejoined as a longtime broadcaster...
, who had 27 home runs and 89 RBI overall during the season, and Rick Reuschel
Rick Reuschel
Rickey Eugene Reuschel is a former professional baseball pitcher from the early 1970s into the early 1990s. His nickname was "Big Daddy" because of his portly physique...
, who had a record of 20-10. However, the Philadelphia Phillies cut the lead to two by the All-Star break, as the Cubs sat 19 games over .500, and the Cubs swooned late in the season, going 20-40 after July 31, finishing in fourth place at 81-81.
On July 28, with the Cubs down 14-10 in the eighth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds
1977 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The team finished in second place in the National League West, with a record of 88-74, 10 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers...
, the Cubs pinch-hit
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
for both of their middle infielders, replacing shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Iván DeJesús
Ivan DeJesus
Iván Alvarez DeJesús is a former Major League Baseball player from 1974 to 1988 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, and Detroit Tigers. DeJesús was regarded as a good fielding but light hitting shortstop...
with José Cardenal
José Cardenal
José Rosario Domec Cardenal is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the San Francisco Giants , California Angels , Cleveland Indians , St...
and second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
Mick Kelleher
Mick Kelleher
Michael Dennis Kelleher is the first base coach for the New York Yankees. He succeeded Tony Peña, who became the bench coach....
with Greg Gross
Greg Gross
Gregory Eugene Gross , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1973-1989, playing for the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, and Philadelphia Phillies...
. The Cubs scored three runs, making the score 14-13 going into the ninth inning. Since both replacements were typically outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
s, and the Cubs had just one player left on the bench who normally played middle infield to enter the game in the ninth inning, utilityman Dave Rosello, the Cubs allowed Cardenal to stay in the game and play second base while Rosello entered the game at shortstop. Rosello and Cardenal alternated between the two positions during the ninth inning depending on whether the batter was a left-handed or right-handed hitter. The Reds failed to score in the ninth, and the Cubs tied the game, forcing extra innings. At that point, the Cubs moved Cardenal to right field
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
, and brought Bobby Murcer in to pay the infield instead, continuing to flip-flop the positioning of Rosello and Murcer for the remainder of the game, which wound up going thirteen innings. In all, Rosello wound up switching positions twelve times, and Murcer eight times.
Notable transactions
- April 20, 1977: The Cubs traded a player to be named later to the Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for Pete BrobergPete BrobergPeter Sven Broberg , was a former professional baseball pitcher in the Major Leagues from -. He played for the Washington Senators/Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, and Oakland Athletics. He was drafted in 1971, and went straight to the Major Leagues...
. The Cubs completed the deal by sending Jim ToddJim Todd (baseball)James Richard Todd, Jr. is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played six seasons in Major League Baseball from until .Todd was originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 10th round of the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft. He pitched in their organization through his major league debut...
to the Mariners on October 25. - May 28, 1977: Ramón Hernández was traded by the Cubs to the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for Bobby DarwinBobby DarwinArthur Bobby Lee Darwin is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Los Angeles Angels , Los Angeles Dodgers , Minnesota Twins , Milwaukee Brewers , Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs .Darwin began his career as a pitcher, appearing in one game with the Angels at the age of 19...
. - June 7, 1977: Terry FranconaTerry FranconaTerry Jon Francona , nicknamed "Tito," is a former Major League Baseball manager and a former player. He was a first baseman and outfielder in the majors from 1981 to 1990. After retiring as a player, he managed several minor league teams in the 1990s before managing the Philadelphia Phillies for...
was drafted by the Cubs in the 2nd round of the 1977 Major League Baseball Draft1977 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1977 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :The White Sox raised some brows when they passed on right-handed pitcher Bill Gullickson, a native of nearby Orland Park, IL, and selected outfielder Harold Baines as the number one...
, but did not sign. - August 23, 1977: Bobby Darwin was released by the Cubs.
- September 28, 1977: Rudy MeoliRudy MeoliRudolph Bartholomew Meoli is a former professional baseball player who played six seasons for the California Angels, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.-References:...
was purchased by the Cubs from the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.
Roster
| 1977 Chicago Cubs | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 122 | 426 | 121 | .284 | 11 | 60 | |
| 2B | 152 | 504 | 141 | .280 | 7 | 57 | |
| 3B | 156 | 546 | 163 | .299 | 10 | 68 | |
| SS | 155 | 624 | 166 | .266 | 3 | 40 | |
| LF | 100 | 226 | 54 | .239 | 3 | 18 | |
| CF | 136 | 490 | 142 | .290 | 11 | 69 | |
| RF | 154 | 554 | 147 | .265 | 27 | 89 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 138 | 493 | 147 | .298 | 12 | 62 | |
| 115 | 239 | 77 | .322 | 5 | 32 | |
| 101 | 239 | 70 | .293 | 3 | 41 | |
| 56 | 80 | 20 | .250 | 2 | 8 | |
| 11 | 12 | 2 | .167 | 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 | 252 | 20 | 10 | 2.79 | 166 | |
| 39 | 221 | 14 | 16 | 4.72 | 105 | |
| 34 | 214.2 | 10 | 13 | 4.36 | 134 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 53 | 1 | 1 | 3.23 | 23 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3.03 | 78 | |
| 22 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4.75 | 20 | |
| 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9.10 | 17 | |
| 20 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6.04 | 15 | |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8.22 | 4 | |