Saturday Name That Cub

by Al Yellon on Jan 31, 2009 10:22 AM CST in Name That Cub

Today is the birthday of three Hall of Famers: Ernie Banks (78), Nolan Ryan (62), and Jackie Robinson, who would have turned 90 today.

The man depicted here is NOT in the Hall of Fame. Once again, a $10 gift card from Distant Replays will go to the first person who correctly identifies him.

0 recs | 46 comments

Comments

Lou Brock?

I think they traded him to the Cardinals.

Bruce Miles - January 31, 2009 reply

They did, but this photo isn't Brock.

Nor is it any of the others mentioned above.

Al Yellon - January 31, 2009 reply

Cleo James?

OK, that’s all I got for today.

Bruce Miles - January 31, 2009 reply

Jake Peavy? Brian Roberts?

Shanghai Badger - January 31, 2009 reply

Nope, not James.

Nor is it Peavy or Roberts. Never heard of either of those guys.

Al Yellon - January 31, 2009 reply

Blue Mike?

Emelie - January 31, 2009 reply

LOL

But no.

Al Yellon - January 31, 2009 reply

wes covington

MOCubsfan - January 31, 2009 reply

DINGDINGDING!!

Winner. Email me so I can have the gift card sent to you.

Covington was picked up by the Cubs in the 1965-66 offseason. This photo was taken at spring training 1966.

He played only nine games for the Cubs before being released.

Something must have been weird with him — he had two good years as a part-time player for the 1957 and 1958 Braves, who were pennant winners. Then he played for four different teams in 1961, before winding up with the Phillies where he also was decent. But they didn’t hesitate to trade him after 1965.

Al Yellon - January 31, 2009 reply

Interesting stuff....

Covington is one of a handful of players to have played for four different teams in one season when he accomplished this feat in 1961. His best season came in 1958 with the Braves when he hit 24 home runs, had 74 Runs Batted In and hit for a .330 batting average. He played his last game of his career with the Dodgers in the 1966 World Series.

carmen_fanzone - January 31, 2009 reply

Hre's a cool photo of Covington from 1958.

Al Yellon - January 31, 2009 reply

That. Is. Awesome.

carmen_fanzone - January 31, 2009 reply

I bet they superglued that ball

Emelie - January 31, 2009 reply

They didn't have super glue in 1958.

Al Yellon - January 31, 2009 reply

if you look closely

you see something holding the ball to the bat….unless his left shoulder is dislocated

Cubbie-Tim - January 31, 2009 reply

The patent for the Super Glue formula

was filed in 1956. According to their website, the product was first sold commercially in 1958.

Goodie1969 - January 31, 2009 reply

I did not know that.

Still, if something is holding the ball to the bat (and it does look like there is), it’s probably tape.

Al Yellon - January 31, 2009 reply

Sounds like injuries got to Wes.....

From a “scouting report” from the SI vault in 1958:

43 WES COVINGTON, LF
Bats L, .333, 24 HR, 75 RBI
Ailing legs kept him on the bench almost half the time this season, but Covington nonetheless has almost as many home runs and runs batted in as does Aaron, who has played in nearly every game. Wes likes to crouch at plate, waving bat menacingly. Loves the dramatics of it all and is occasionally accused of “showboating.” But he hits, and hard, not so much down line to right as to right center, center, left center. Slow because of injured leg, and not a topflight fielder. But what a hitter!

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1002896/index.htm

carmen_fanzone - January 31, 2009 reply