Long time Cubs player and manager Phil Cavarretta died at the ripe old age of 94. He played in three World Series, including 1945, the last time the Cubs made the fall classic. He was also the last link to another era:
Cavarretta was the last living player who had played against Babe Ruth; he played against him in his first full year, 1935, when Ruth was finishing his career with the Boston Braves.
Phil’s strength as a player was getting on base, with a .372 career OBP. In a war depleted majors in 1945, he led the NL with a .449 mark.
My thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Not too many people following MLB today know of Phil Cavarretta. He was a classy guy who, unfortunately, was fired as player-manager when he told Cub owner Phil Wrigley in spring training ’54 that the team couldn’t win. Turned out he was right on the mark; they finished 64-90.
As new owners, the Ricketts family could honor this great who played 20 seasons for the Cubs by retiring his #44.