Cubs: Three legends who deserve to have their number retired

The Cubs have retired only five numbers in their history, and it’s time they added more to the collection.

One of the biggest honors across the realm of professional sports is that of having your number retired. Sure, a ring is excellent, as is the recognition of being called a champion. Outside of a coveted spot in Cooperstown, for a player to see their number shelved because of their contributions to a team is surreal.

In the 117 year history for the Cubs, fans have seen only five numbers retired – Ron Santo’s number 10, Ernie Banks’ number 14, Ryne Sandberg’s number 23, Billy Williams’ number 26, and the number 31, shared by two greats, Fergie Jenkins and Greg Maddux.

Understandably so the honor of retiring a number is almost incomparable to any praise sans the Hall of Fame. In 2009, the club chose to retire the number 31, which shows how few and far between it does happen. Which numbers should be the next to have flags flown high above “The Friendly Confines”? Don’t worry. We have you covered.

Cubs: First baseman Mark Grace, number 17

Fans across Wrigleyville will understand the impact Mark Grace had on the Northside. Plain and simple, if you claim your allegiance to the Cubs and don’t know Grace, you’re not a real fan (only half kidding).

Grace donned the red and blue pinstripes for 13 wonderful years of a 16-year career. He’s a former 24th round pick, which sounds crazy considering the career he put together. In his rookie year, Grace slashed .296/.371/.403 and finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year vote.

In 1993 Grace earned his first All-Star nod when he hit .325 with 98 RBI and was the Gold Glove recipient that season for his defensive work at first base. He was a consistently healthy face for the Cubs, only spending one year where he missed a part of the season. Overall, Grace played 1,910 games in a Cubs uniform. His career line – .308/.386/.445, 148 home runs, 1,004 RBI, and a career 122 OPS+.

At present, the number 17 is being worn by another star – third baseman Kris Bryant. Bryant earned Rookie of the year honors in 2015 and followed it up with an MVP-winning season in 2016. It seems that the number 17 is one of great luck for Cubs players, and whenever Bryant’s tenure with the Cubs end (hopefully it will not), it is a number made famous by Grace, which should be flown loud and proud in Wrigley.

Cubs: Relief pitcher Lee Smith, number 46

There may not be as dominant a relief pitcher in the Cubs organization’s storied history than right-hander Lee Smith. Smith, who was selected in the 1975 MLB draft, pitched the first eight years of his 18-year career in a Cubs uniform.

In his first year as a 22-year-old, Smith enjoyed a cup of coffee at the big league level. He tossed 21 2/3 innings, posting a dominant 2.91 ERA without allowing a home run. In 1983, he earned his first all-star nod and finished ninth in National League Cy Young voting. From 1983-1987, his last in a Cubs uniform, Smith compiled a 2.84 ERA across 266 games with 126 saves.

One of Smith’s most fun statistics during that time was the number of batters he faced and the lack of hit batters. In those five seasons, Smith faced 1,610 batters and hit a total of two. In that time, Smith recorded a steady 24.3 percent strikeout rate while keeping his walk rate north of ten percent.

Smith, from 1993 through 2006, held the major league record for career saves before former San Diego Padres closer Trevor Hoffman surpassed his total. In 2018, Smith was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

He recorded four consecutive seasons of 30+ saves and is regarded as the best relief pitcher in club history. As such, Smith deserves his own numbered flag flying high above Wrigley, and it’s time the Cubs said sayonara to the number 46 and retired it for good.