1987 Chicago Cubs season
Encyclopedia
The Chicago Cubs
season was a season in American baseball. The team finished last in the six-team National League East
with a record of 76-85, 18½ games behind the division and pennant-winning St. Louis Cardinals
.
, where his knees were battered by the Olympic Stadium
Astroturf
. He also made it known during the off season that the Cubs were his top choice, as Wrigley Field
had a natural grass surface and had no lights. Dawson hit considerably better during the day.
After a couple weeks of Green saying he was flatly uninterested in Dawson, Dawson and Moss presented Green with a "blank" signed contract. Green filled in the amount -- $500,000 for one year.
Spring training also began with the dark news of broadcaster Harry Caray
suffering a stroke in Palm Springs
. WGN announced that until Caray was well enough to return, guest announcers would fill in and sit alongside color analyst Steve Stone.
, who captured National League Most Valuable Player honors following a 49-home run season. It was also the rookie season for starting pitcher Greg Maddux
, the final full season for Wrigley Field
without lights, and the last year for general manager Dallas Green
, who resigned in late October 1987.
and Shawon Dunston
within days of each other crippled the Cubs' middle infield and hampered their offense. Their replacements were Paul Noce
and Mike Brumley
, respectively, Brumley having been acquired as "thrown-in" in the 1984 Buckner
-for-Eckersley
trade. Neither player was able to come close to replacing the lost production from Sandberg and Dunston and, consequentially, the team struggled.
In the month of August, two incidents occurred in which players cheated against the Cubs. Phillies pitcher Kevin Gross was pitching against the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 10, 1987. Gross was caught with sandpaper in his glove and suspended for 10 games. Astros batter Billy Hatcher was batting against the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 31, 1987, when he broke his bat and it flew down the third base line. Cubs third baseman Keith Moreland saw cork, and Hatcher was suspended for 10 games. Later on, Hatcher claimed that he was using pitcher Dave Smith's bat, and not his own.
After a woeful August, Michael told the press that he was planning on resigning after the season. Green said that he would accept the resignation, effective immediately, and replaced Michael with Frank Lucchesi
, a longtime scout in the Philadelphia organization who had become a Cubs roving instructor. As the Cubs played out the string under Luchessi, they finished last, although they were a markedly improved team over the '86 club, with a promising future.
All-Star Game
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 last in the six-team 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 76-85, 18½ games behind the division and pennant-winning St. Louis Cardinals
1987 St. Louis Cardinals season
The 1987 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 106th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 96th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 95-67 during the season and finished first in the National League East Division for the third and last time before moving to the NL Central in 1994....
.
Spring training
The team opened camp in Mesa, Arizona, apparently content with Brian Dayett to start in right field. However, Andre Dawson and his agent Dick Moss showed up after camp opened hoping that Green would consider signing the all-star outfielder. Dawson was one of the top free agents on the market during the off-season, but he garnered little interest. He made no secret that he wanted to leave MontrealMontreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
, where his knees were battered by the Olympic Stadium
Olympic Stadium (Montreal)
The Olympic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district of Montreal, Quebec, Canada built as the main venue for the 1976 Summer Olympics...
Astroturf
AstroTurf
AstroTurf is a brand of artificial turf. Although the term is a registered trademark, it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf product was a short pile synthetic turf while the current products incorporate modern features such as...
. He also made it known during the off season that the Cubs were his top choice, as Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
had a natural grass surface and had no lights. Dawson hit considerably better during the day.
After a couple weeks of Green saying he was flatly uninterested in Dawson, Dawson and Moss presented Green with a "blank" signed contract. Green filled in the amount -- $500,000 for one year.
Spring training also began with the dark news of broadcaster Harry Caray
Harry Caray
Harry Caray, born Harry Christopher Carabina, was an American baseball broadcaster on radio and television. He covered four Major League Baseball teams, beginning with a long tenure calling the games of the St...
suffering a stroke in Palm Springs
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
. WGN announced that until Caray was well enough to return, guest announcers would fill in and sit alongside color analyst Steve Stone.
Notable transactions
- December 9, 1986: Heathcliff SlocumbHeathcliff SlocumbHeath "Heathcliff" Slocumb is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He batted and threw right-handed....
was drafted by the Cubs from the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in the 1986 minor league draft. - February 17, 1987: Guy HoffmanGuy Hoffman (baseball)Guy Alan Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of six seasons in the major leagues between and . After his major league career, he played three seasons for the Orix BlueWave in Japan from until -Sources:...
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 Wade RowdonWade RowdonWade Lee Rowdon was a Major League Baseball player who played from to with the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs and the Baltimore Orioles .-External links:...
. - March 9, 1987: Andre DawsonAndre DawsonAndre Nolan Dawson , nicknamed "The Hawk", is an American former center fielder and right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played for four different teams, spending most of his career with the Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs .An 8-time National League All-Star, he was named the...
was signed as a Free Agent by the Cubs. - March 23, 1987: Mike MartinMike Martin (catcher)Joseph Michael Martin is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played eight games for the Chicago Cubs in , getting just one hit, a double in 13 at bats. 1986 was Martin's last professional season after nine years in minor league baseball....
was released by the Cubs. - March 30, 1987: Thad BosleyThad BosleyThaddis Bosley Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder for the California Angels , Chicago White Sox , Milwaukee Brewers , Seattle Mariners , Chicago Cubs , Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers ....
and Dave GumpertDave GumpertDavid Lawrence Gumpert , was a professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from - for the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, and Kansas City Royals.He was born in South Haven, Michigan....
were traded by the Cubs to the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
for Jim SundbergJim SundbergJames Howard Sundberg is a former professional baseball catcher known for being one of the best defensive catchers of his era. He played for a number of Major League teams, most significantly the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, with whom we won a World Championship...
.
Regular season
The 1987 season featured a career year from free-agent acquisition Andre DawsonAndre Dawson
Andre Nolan Dawson , nicknamed "The Hawk", is an American former center fielder and right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played for four different teams, spending most of his career with the Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs .An 8-time National League All-Star, he was named the...
, who captured National League Most Valuable Player honors following a 49-home run season. It was also the rookie season for starting pitcher Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux
Gregory Alan Maddux , nicknamed "Mad Dog" and "The Professor", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the first pitcher in major league history to win the Cy Young Award for four consecutive years , a feat matched only by Randy Johnson...
, the final full season for Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
without lights, and the last year for general manager Dallas Green
Dallas Green
George Dallas Green is a former pitcher, manager, and executive in Major League Baseball. After playing for the Philadelphia Phillies and two other teams, he went on to manage the Phillies, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets, and managed the Phillies when they won their first World Series...
, who resigned in late October 1987.
Season summary
An 18–10 May propelled the Cubs into the race, and they spent time in first place in early June. However, injuries to Ryne SandbergRyne Sandberg
Ryne Dee Sandberg , nicknamed "Ryno" is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. During a 16-year baseball career, he played from 1981–1994 and 1996–97, spending nearly his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren, and is recognized as one of the best...
and Shawon Dunston
Shawon Dunston
Shawon Donnell Dunston is a former shortstop and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball. He resides in Fremont, CA. He was the first overall pick in the 1982 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs, and played for the Cubs , San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates , Cleveland Indians , St...
within days of each other crippled the Cubs' middle infield and hampered their offense. Their replacements were Paul Noce
Paul Noce
Paul David Noce is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds. He debuted on June 1, 1987 against the Houston Astros. He played in 70 games that year at second base, shortstop and third base. He didn't appear in the majors again until 1990 with the...
and Mike Brumley
Mike Brumley (infielder)
Anthony Michael Brumley is a former utility player in Major League Baseball, who played primarily as a shortstop and who currently is the first-base coach for the Seattle Mariners. He played from through for the Chicago Cubs , Detroit Tigers , Seattle Mariners , Boston Red Sox , Houston Astros ...
, respectively, Brumley having been acquired as "thrown-in" in the 1984 Buckner
Bill Buckner
William 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...
-for-Eckersley
Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Lee Eckersley , nicknamed "Eck", is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of only two pitchers in Major League history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career .He...
trade. Neither player was able to come close to replacing the lost production from Sandberg and Dunston and, consequentially, the team struggled.
In the month of August, two incidents occurred in which players cheated against the Cubs. Phillies pitcher Kevin Gross was pitching against the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 10, 1987. Gross was caught with sandpaper in his glove and suspended for 10 games. Astros batter Billy Hatcher was batting against the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 31, 1987, when he broke his bat and it flew down the third base line. Cubs third baseman Keith Moreland saw cork, and Hatcher was suspended for 10 games. Later on, Hatcher claimed that he was using pitcher Dave Smith's bat, and not his own.
After a woeful August, Michael told the press that he was planning on resigning after the season. Green said that he would accept the resignation, effective immediately, and replaced Michael with Frank Lucchesi
Frank Lucchesi
Frank Joseph Lucchesi is a former manager in Major League Baseball who ran the Philadelphia Phillies , Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs...
, a longtime scout in the Philadelphia organization who had become a Cubs roving instructor. As the Cubs played out the string under Luchessi, they finished last, although they were a markedly improved team over the '86 club, with a promising future.
Notable transactions
- April 6, 1987: Dickie NolesDickie NolesDickie Ray Noles was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , Chicago Cubs , Texas Rangers , Cleveland Indians , Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles ....
was signed as a free agent by the Cubs. - July 13, 1987: Steve TroutSteve TroutSteven Russell Trout is a former major league baseball pitcher who played during the 1980s.He is the son of former major league pitcher Dizzy Trout. Teammates and friends often referred to him simply as "Sorenson" along with the fairly obvious nickname Rainbow Trout...
was traded by the Cubs to the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Bob TewksburyBob TewksburyRobert Alan Tewksbury is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Tewksbury's talent was initially discovered by Andy Michael in Concord. Michael contacted the New York Yankees and Tewksbury was drafted by them out of Saint Leo University in the 19th round of the 1981 draft...
, Rich ScheidRich ScheidRichard Paul Scheid is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Houston Astros and Florida Marlins .-External links:*...
, and Dean WilkinsDean Wilkins (baseball)Dean Allan Wilkins , is a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1989 to 1991. He played for the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros.-External links:...
. - September 22, 1987: Dickie Noles was loaned by the Cubs to the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
.
Opening Day starters
- Jody Davis
- Andre DawsonAndre DawsonAndre Nolan Dawson , nicknamed "The Hawk", is an American former center fielder and right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played for four different teams, spending most of his career with the Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs .An 8-time National League All-Star, he was named the...
- Brian Dayett
- Bob DernierBob DernierRobert Eugene Dernier, also known as "Bobby", was a center fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs in the 1980s. The fleet-afoot 1984 Gold Glove Award winner was also nicknamed "The Deer" by The Wrigley Faithful. Dernier was the lead-off hitter Cubs' 1984 N.L. East Championship...
- Shawon DunstonShawon DunstonShawon Donnell Dunston is a former shortstop and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball. He resides in Fremont, CA. He was the first overall pick in the 1982 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs, and played for the Cubs , San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates , Cleveland Indians , St...
- Leon DurhamLeon DurhamLeon "Bull" Durham is a former first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for 10 seasons. Durham played with the St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago Cubs , and Cincinnati Reds...
- Keith MorelandKeith MorelandBobby Keith "Zonk" Moreland is a former outfielder, catcher and infield in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and San Diego Padres. In , the final year of his career, he played for the Detroit Tigers, then the Baltimore Orioles...
- Ryne SandbergRyne SandbergRyne Dee Sandberg , nicknamed "Ryno" is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. During a 16-year baseball career, he played from 1981–1994 and 1996–97, spending nearly his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren, and is recognized as one of the best...
- Rick Sutcliffe
Roster
| 1987 Chicago Cubs | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Game log
| 1987 Chicago Cubs Game Log | |
|---|---|
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 125 | 428 | 106 | .248 | 19 | 51 | |
| 1B | 131 | 439 | 120 | .273 | 27 | 63 | |
| 2B | 132 | 523 | 154 | .294 | 16 | 59 | |
| 3B | 153 | 563 | 150 | .266 | 27 | 88 | |
| SS | 95 | 346 | 85 | .246 | 5 | 22 | |
| LF | 118 | 309 | 103 | .333 | 13 | 44 | |
| CF | 142 | 459 | 134 | .292 | 8 | 36 | |
| RF | 153 | 621 | 178 | .287 | 49 | 137 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 | 177 | 49 | .277 | 5 | 25 | |
| 61 | 139 | 28 | .201 | 4 | 15 | |
| 11 | 31 | 7 | .226 | 1 | 4 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 156 | 6 | 14 | 5.61 | 101 | |
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 | 38 | 4 | 1 | 5.68 | 28 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6.75 | 27 | |
Awards and honors
- Andre DawsonAndre DawsonAndre Nolan Dawson , nicknamed "The Hawk", is an American former center fielder and right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played for four different teams, spending most of his career with the Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs .An 8-time National League All-Star, he was named the...
– National League Most Valuable Player - Andre Dawson – National League Leader Home Runs (40)
- Andre Dawson – National League Leader RBI (137)
- Andre Dawson, Outfield, Gold Glove AwardGold Glove AwardThe Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
- Andre Dawson, Outfield, Silver Slugger Award
- Ryne SandbergRyne SandbergRyne Dee Sandberg , nicknamed "Ryno" is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. During a 16-year baseball career, he played from 1981–1994 and 1996–97, spending nearly his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren, and is recognized as one of the best...
, Second Baseman, Gold Glove AwardGold Glove AwardThe Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the... - Rick Sutcliffe, Pitcher, Lou Gehrig Award
- Rick Sutcliffe, Roberto Clemente AwardRoberto Clemente AwardThe Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team", as voted on by baseball fans and members of the media. It is named for Hall of Fame...
All-Star Game
1987 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1987 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 58th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 14, 1987 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland,...