Chicago Cubs: The Heroes of Wrigley Series presents Mark Grace

Chicago Cubs: The epitome of a ballplayer

Throughout the following decade, Grace and the #17 on his back became as much of a staple at Wrigley as the green ivy that climbed and covered the red brick of the outfield wall.

Wrigley was a throwback stadium, a reminder of years past, and Grace was a throwback ballplayer.  His flashback appearance was complete with his knee-high blue stirrup socks, eye black marked across his face and sans batting gloves that connect the grip of flesh to wood.  He was superstitious just like the pastime heroes of the olden days, providing this infamous (and hilariously candid) “slump-busting” technique.  He played unselfishly and for his teammates.

While he never was a player who hit 20 home runs or knock in 100 runs in a single season, he did everything he had to do in order to raise the “W” flag high above that iconic Wrigley scoreboard.

During the decade, Grace collected four Gold Gloves and was named to the National League All-Star team three times (1993, 1995, 1997). Arguably, his best season came in 1995, when Grace hit .326 with a .395 OBP and hitting a league-high 51 two-baggers.