Thursday, September 13, 2012

Cubs 365, September 13

On this day in 1903, future Cub Rabbit Warstler was born. His real name was Harold Burton Warstler, but they called him Rabbit because of his quickness in the field. He was a backup infielder for 11 seasons, and his last team was the Cubs in 1940. When Rabbit was in the American League, Connie Mack called him "the best defensive infielder in the American League." Babe Ruth complained that Warstler played so deep and had such a strong arm that he stole hits from him.

But Rabbit could never hit much, and that's why he never claimed a starting job. And though he was nicknamed Rabbit because of his quickness, he never stole more than 9 bases in a season.