Cubbies Crib
FanSided

Chicago Cubs: The disastrous ‘College of Coaches’ merry-go-round of 1961

By Logan Whaley

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 28: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white) General view of the stadium light banks during game two of a doubleheader between the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs on June 28, 2011 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Giants won 6-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 28: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white) General view of the stadium light banks during game two of a doubleheader between the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs on June 28, 2011 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Giants won 6-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Chicago Cubs
(Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Lasting effects on the team

The year it all began, a young kid by the name of Lou Brock was a part of the Cubs roster. He was a 22-year-old rookie and looking to do big things. Unfortunately, he never got the chance, not with the Cubs, at least.

Brock was being shifted left and right, up and down all year before enough was enough for him. He slashed .091/.167/.091 in that first year. Just three years later, in 1964, Brock was shipped from Chicago to St. Louis, joining the vaunted Cardinals where he would flourish.

Brock went on to become a thirteen-time all-star for the Cardinals and finished second overall twice in the voting for Most Valuable Player. Much of the issues with Brock reportedly began with the constant shift in managers and lack of consistency.

Things would not turn around until 1967 when the Cubs finally had another winning season. The club would lose 90 or more games three times in the span, including a 59-103 season. Quite a distinction from the 2016 team.

Next. In defense of baseball writing - especially now. dark

Not since has an idea been re-implemented in any capacity, and thank goodness it has not. Trying to imagine more than Maddon leading the Cubs during their 2016 postseason run and fantastic regular-season finish is such a ludicrous thought it is almost comical. Thank goodness the Cubs finally saw the error of their ways and made a change. It will, however, remain as one of those all-time worst moments, and that is just apart of the game.

Home/Cubs History