Chicago Cubs: Ranking the team’s top first baseman since 1900

Chicago Cubs: Two of the guys in this section are famously known for big postseason blunders, which is too bad because they were outstanding players.

10. Ray Grimes (1921-1924)

Probably the least-known guy on this list, Ray Grimes had several terrific seasons back in the early 20s. He only played over 100 games several times (1921-1922), but he made the most of his time. In those two years, he slashed a combined .337/.424/.509, with 305 hits in 285 games.

9. Leon Durham (1981-1988)

The first baseman of the 1980s, Durham’s career is often remembered for his error in the 1984 NLCS. However, he deserves recognition because he was a terrific ballplayer. He played in 921 games as a Cub and slashed .279/.362/.484 with 138 home runs and averaged a 124 wRC+ from 1981-1987. He was a two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner in 1982.

8. Bill Buckner (1977-1984)

Before becoming a playoff goat in the 1986 World Series for the Boston Red Sox, Bill Buckner had a nice run as a Dodger and Cub. Buckner was very well-liked among the Cubs fans in his seven and a half years in Chicago. He hit .300/.332/.439 as a Cub with 81 homers and recorded 1,136 hits, which puts him 29th on the all-time franchise hit list. He made the 1981 NL All-Star team and was twice in the top-10 in NL MVP voting.

7. Charlie Grimm (1925-1936)

This man anchored the first base position for the Cubs for over a decade. He played on the pennant-winning teams of 1929, 1932 and 1935. Though, he only played in two games in 1935 and not in the postseason. He was playing first at Wrigley Field when Babe Ruth hit his supposed “Called Shot” in game 3 of the 1932 World Series.

Outside of all the teams he was on, he was an excellent ballplayer, hitting .296/.349/.405 in 1,334 games as a Cub. Grimm, in 1932 became a player/manager for the Cubs and eventually managed them for 14 seasons, including the 1945 pennant-winning team.