Chicago Cubs: 25 best all-time players in franchise history

Chicago Cubs Greatest All-Time Players: No. 13 – Mark Grace

WAR: 44.2

The hit king of the 1990s. Mark Grace was – and in my mind remains – criminally underappreciated for what he did on the field during his 13-year Cubs career.

Where to start? Do we start with his .308 career average with Chicago? Or maybe the fact that he never struck out more than he walked in a single season? The guy was like clockwork. You knew you could pencil him in for a .300 average and an OBP flirting with .400, especially later in his career.

His 51-double 1995 performance marks the third-most two-baggers anyone in Cubs history has managed in a single season – trailing just one man, Billy Herman. He never put up the prolific power numbers we saw in the 90s, but make no mistake: Gracie had plenty of pop in that bat.

And it’s not like he couldn’t handle himself at first base, either. The guy took home four Gold Gloves, too.  Referencing OPS+, Grace was an average or better hitter every season for the Cubs. Grace ranks fifth in franchise history with his 2,201 hits. Everyone he trails on that list has a plaque on the wall in Cooperstown.

Accomplishments & Awards

• Three-time All-Star
• Four-time Gold Glove Winner