Cubs History: Overlooked Cubs Hall of Fame players

Many Cubs have been inducted into Cooperstown – some who go overlooked.

Arguably the greatest players to ever wear a Chicago Cubs uniform have their names flying on the Wrigley Field foul poles. This includes “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ron Santo, Fergie Jenkins, Ryan Sandberg and Greg Maddux. Hard to find a Cubs fan that considers themselves “die-hard” who does not know who they are. All of those players are also enshrined in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

These are obviously not the only Cubs who have plaques in the Hall. Fans who are generally familiar with team history know the likes of Cap Anson, Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, Frank Chance, Gabby Hartnett, Hack Wilson and Andre Dawson. Yet there are some others that do not get talked about as much. These names can get lost in history for various reasons. It is fair to assume part of the reason is that these guys played before most Cubs fans today were born.

Here is a look at some of those names that can get lost in the shuffle. Qualifications include players in the Hall of Fame that spent a bulk of their career with the Cubs, and/or at least more games with them than any other team.

Cubs: Long before Ryno, Billy Herman was one of the best at second

William Jennings Bryan “Billy” Herman was born on July 7, 1909 in New Albany, Indiana. He was playing for the Louisville Colonels of the American Association in 1931 when the Chicago Cubs purchased him. For the next decade Herman would man second base in Chicago.

From 1931 to 1941, Herman played in 1,344 games as a Cub and hit .309/.366/.417 with 37 home runs, 577 RBI, 112 OPS+ and totaled 1,710 hits. Only Ryne Sandberg has more hits by a second baseman in franchise history. While not a power hitter, Herman hit 346 doubles (also second behind Sandberg) and 69 triples. He is 12th in runs scored (875) among all players in franchise history.

Herman was part of three pennant-winning Cubs teams in 1932, 1935 and 1938. From 1934 through 1941 he was selected to the All-Star Game every single year. In 1935 he racked up 227 hits which led all of baseball. In 1939 he hit the most triples in baseball (18). He was truly the team’s first perennial All-Star.

In May 1941 he was traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers. From 1944 to 1945 he served in the U.S. Navy before returning for two more years, playing with the Dodgers, Braves and Pirates. After his playing career he stayed in baseball as a coach and manager. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1975 and passed away in 1992.

Cubs: One has to go way to back to admire King Kelly’s versatile career

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Michael Joseph “King” Kelly was born in Troy, New York in 1857. He made his MLB debut at age 20 in 1878 with the Cubs, then called the “White Stockings.” For the next seven years, Kelly became a fan-favorite in Chicago. He was primarily an outfielder and catcher, but he played virtually every position at some point in his career.

In seven years as a Cub, Kelly played in 681 games and hit .316/.367/.453 with 33 home runs, 149 OPS+ and 728 runs scored. For three consecutive seasons from 1884-1886 he was the league leader in runs scored. He won the batting title in 1886 when he hit .388. Home runs were not nearly as common of an occurrence at the time, his career-high was 13 in 1884.

In February in 1887 he was sold to the Boston Beaneaters for $10,000. This move angered the Chicago faithful as they saw one of their best players get sold away. Most of Kelly’s remaining playing days were with Boston, as a player/manager in the American Association and PL League and ended his MLB playing career with the New York Giants.

He passed away in 1894 at the age of 36 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1945.

Cubs: Mostly an executive, we should recognize his Chicago contributions

Clark Griffith was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1946 for his work as an executive/coach. He is mainly known owning the Washington Senators. Before being a player/manager for the White Sox, Yankees (then called the Highlanders), Reds and Senators, Griffith had a very successful run as a pitcher with the Cubs.

Yes, his induction to the Hall was not necessarily based on his playing, but he had a very respectable career as a pitcher and he appeared in more games on the mound as a Cub (265) than any other team. He was with the team from 1893-1900, before the team was even called the “Cubs”. In that span he pitched to a 3.40 ERA, 3.82 FIP, 573 strikeouts, 1.35 WHIP and won 152 games. In 1898 he won the ERA title (1.88).

Griffith is one of baseball’s most important figures and it can easily be forgotten he was a part of the Cubs for a number of years. The Old Fox spent 70+ years in baseball before he passed away in 1955 at age 85.

To no surprise these players were from times long before we were around to watch them. Still, they deserve their spot in Chicago Cubs history.