Chicago Cubs: Where does Anthony Rizzo rank in team history?

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May 31, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman

Anthony Rizzo

(44) hits a 2-run homer in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. The Cubs won 8-0. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Last year, Anthony Rizzo made himself known as one of the premier up-and-coming first basemen not just in the National League but in all of Major League Baseball. While making his first of what will hopefully be many All-Star appearances, Rizzo also showed us his leadership and continued efforts to become a better player and first baseman. So with that, it made me think about where Rizzo ranks among some of the other Chicago Cubs first basemen.

While Rizzo’s career has just begun, it would be unfair to try to make a ranking list and add him into it, but I think it is fair to take a look back at several former Chicago Cubs first basemen and how Rizzo may compare or even relate to their tenures in the Windy City.

Apr 23, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of a baseball on home plate before the baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field. Today marks the 100th year anniversary of the stadium

Derrek Lee – 2004 to 2010

Derrek Lee’s time with the Chicago Cubs was phenomenal. Lee was traded to the Cubs from the Florida Marlins for then-starting first baseman Hee-Seop Choi and a minor league player.

To say the Cubs stole Lee away from the Marlins would be an understatement. While Choi was with the Marlins for only 95 games before being traded to the Dodgers, he would have a stat line that included a .270 batting average, 15 home runs and 40 runs batted in. In that same year, Lee’s line with the Cubs read as follows: a .278 average to go along with 32 home runs and 98 runs batted in.

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Lee’s best season with the Cubs would be the following season. Lee was an MVP candidate all year long and even flirted with the coveted Triple Crown for a good amount of the season. While finishing third in the MVP race, Lee was able to secure his second career Gold Glove award and first Silver Slugger award.

While with the Cubs, Lee was considered a top-three defensive first baseman and one of the top offensive threats at his respective position. Unfortunately in 2006, Lee would miss much of the season after a collision at first base while trying to catch a relay throw and injuring his wrist. After that injury, Lee’s power wasn’t quite the same for a couple of seasons. Regardless of the injury, he was still able to put up seasons of 20 and 22 home runs before rebounding by hitting 35 bombs in 2009.

Lee was eventually traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2010. The Cubs started to gut the roster and began their rebuilding with prospects – a process that continues to this day.

In terms of Cubs’ first basemen, Lee ranks up as one of the best in franchise history.

Cubs career stats: .298 batting average, 179 home runs, 574 runs batted in

Mark Grace – 1988 to 2000

Mark Grace is one of my all-time favorite Chicago Cubs players. He was a doubles machine – hitting over 500 during his sixteen year career with the Cubs and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Grace changed the way some teams looked at the clean-up hitter spot when the Cubs started to bat him in the fourth spot. While Grace was not one who displayed great power (173 career home runs), he was one of the best all-around hitters in baseball.

Grace always displayed a very disciplined approach at the plate with his great bat control and keen eye. Even if Grace couldn’t get the hit, he was excellent at putting the ball in play to give any runners on base a chance to score. Grace wasn’t just known as a great hitter – he was an excellent defensive first baseman – winning four Gold Glove awards as a member of the franchise.

Grace was also known for a being one of the leaders of the Cubs but not in the “tough love” way; Grace was more of a joker and kept the locker room and dugout light with his sense of humor and his passion for playing the game.

In 2000, Grace’s contract was up and the Cubs declined to offer him salary arbitration. The Cubs’ loss was the Arizona Diamondbacks gain. Grace signed with Arizona and in his first season with the team, he went to the World Series and won his first – and only – ring. I think most of us Cubs fans for that week or more all became temporary Diamondbacks fans for Grace and his chance to win it all.

Cubs Career stats: .308 average, 148 home runs, 1,004 runs batted in

Apr 22, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the entrance to the bleachers before the game between the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Bill Buckner – 1977-1984

Bill Buckner, yes, the one and the same. Before being known as the guy who cost the Boston Red Sox the World Series in 1986 against the New York Mets, Buckner was a member of the Chicago Cubs. Because of a staff infection that forced him out of playing in the outfield, Buckner was moved over to first base and he would play there for the rest of his career. The move turned out to be a good one for both the Cubs and Buckner.

Buckner was a solid first baseman for the Cubs, but his bat was his best contribution to the Cubs. During his eight-year stay with the Cubs, Buckner’s batting average was at .300. In 1980, Buckner led the National League in batting average at .324. In 1981, Buckner would represent the Cubs as an All-Star, his lone all-star appearance in his 22-year career.

Buckner wasn’t a power hitter but he was a very consistent hitter, in a fashion very similar to Grace. He would only hit a career-high of 16 home runs in a season while with the Cubs, but would lead the National League in doubles twice – with 35 in 1981 and 38 in 1983.

In 1984, Buckner was traded to the Boston Red Sox for future Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley and bench player Mike Brumley.

Cubs career stats: .300 batting average, 81 home runs, 516 runs batted in

Feb 27, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; Spring training baseballs are prepared for practice prior to the inaugural base ball game at the new Cubs Park in Mesa Arizona between the Chicago Cubs and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

Leon Durham – 1981 to 1988

Leon Durham originally came to the Chicago Cubs as an outfielder but after some transactions by the Cubs front office, Durham would find himself playing first base – taking over for then-first baseman Bill Buckner. The move turned out to be a good thing for both the Cubs and Durham. Durham would finish the season with a .279 batting average, 23 home runs and a career-high 96 runs batted in.

Durham was always able to hit – no matter where he played on the field. After posting his first twenty-plus home run season in 1982, he would surpass the twenty home run plateau five times over the next six seasons – including four years in a row. Durham could have easily had six consecutive home run seasons if not for an injury that cost him a hefty number of games in 1983.

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Durham was consistently hitting home runs for the Cubs but his runs batted in would start to fall off after his career-high 96 RBI in 1984. After that season, his numbers would decline every year. Most people will probably say it was because of the worst moment of his career that took place in the National League Championship Series in 1984.

That game is a tough pill for Cubs fans of that era who witnessed it. What is called the “Gatorade Glove Play”, Durham had a ground ball hit to him at first base and the ball ran right between his legs and into the outfield. The error essentially cost the Cubs the series and the chance to go on to the Fall Classic.

Durham would hit a career-high 27 home runs in 1987, ending his run of being an offensive weapon for Chicago. In the 1988 season, Durham would struggle from the start and with pressure of a young Mark Grace cutting into Durham’s playing time, the Cubs had to decide to make a move, eventually dealing him to the Cincinnati Reds.

While it is easy to focus on the negatives of Durham’s Cubs career – considering what it cost the team and its fans – you can’t take away from how well Durham played while in Chicago.

His numbers were consistent and he was a valuable member of that 1984 Cubs team that came so close to winning it all. Was the fallout of his error in the Championship Series the reason for the consistent decline in his numbers? Maybe, but considering what happened and the pressure that Durham must have faced afterwards, he still had two good seasons after that error. Some players may not have ever been able to bounce back after that.

Cubs career stats: .279 batting average, 138 home runs, 485 runs batted in

Ernie Banks – 1953 to 1971

We saved the best for last -Ernie Banks, Mr. Cub. Ernie Banks started off his career as a short stop for the Chicago Cubs and did see some games in third base and in the outfield. While Banks was an excellent short stop with his natural instincts and athletic ability, the movement from side-to-side while fielding were wearing Banks’ knees down a bit. In what would probably be a decision made to prolong Mr. Cubs career, a move needed to be made.

Initially, Banks was moved to left field-but that move didn’t last long. After twenty-three games in the outfield, Banks would move to first base. In what Banks thought would be a temporary move, it was decided that he would remain there for an indefinite amount of time. Banks love for the game – I’m sure helped the transition that was made from once being at maybe the most demanding defensive spot on the field at short stop to first base, a little bit easier to handle.