Thursday, December 20, 2012

Cubs 365, December 20

On this day in 1900, one of the greatest Cubs of all-time was born, Gabby Hartnett. His real name was Charles Leo Hartnett. No surprise where that nickname came from, he was known as someone who was "constantly talking" when he was catching.

Gabby is known as one of the all-time greats, probably the best catcher of the first half of the 20th century. He played in four World Series for the Cubs, as a backup catcher/pinch hitter in 1929, the starting catcher in '32 and '35 (he won the MVP that year), and in 1938, his "homer in the gloamin" won the pennant for the Cubs. He was also the manager of that team.

As a player he was beloved. As a manager, he was hated. He left the Cubs after 1940 and his last year was spent as a player/manager for the New York Giants. He is buried in All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, the same cemetery as Harry Caray.