Cubs History: Anthony Rizzo catches a legend in the record books

Lost in the disaster that was the Cubs-Braves nationally televised game Sunday night was the fact that Anthony Rizzo, one of the team’s few bright spots in that game with two homers, tied Gabby Hartnett for career home runs as a Cub.

His second blast of the game gave Rizzo 231 homers as a Cub, the same as Hartnett. The Chicago first baseman has been far more efficient, hitting the mark in 1,231 games while it took the ruddy-complexioned Hartnett—’Old Tomato Face’ was his player nickname—1,926 games.

But who is this Gabby guy anyway?

Cubs: Gabby Hartnett spent 19 years on the North Side

Charles Leo ‘Gabby” Hartnett started with the Cubs in 1922. He was labeled ‘gabby’ sarcastically by a reporter when he replied in monosyllables to his questions. The name stuck.

Gabby went on to play for the Cubs for 19 years, appearing in nearly 95 percent of his games as a catcher. He took over as player-coach halfway through the 1938 season and continued in that role for the next two years. He was named the National League player of the Year in 1935 and is a member of the Hall of Fame.

But he is likely best remembered for something that happened late in the 1938 season.

The Homer In The Gloamin’

On a Saturday in September of 1938 the Cubs were chasing the Pirates for first place. They had cut the lead to a half-game and were locked in a 5-5 tie in the ninth inning. But there was a big problem. Because the game had gone so late—darkness was gathering—the umpires decreed that unless the game was decided in the ninth it would have to be replayed from the beginning the next day as part of a double-header.

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Nobody on the Chicago team wanted that.

Cut to the home team’s at-bat in the still tied game. Two outs and Hartnett is at the dish. He quickly goes down two strikes. Then Mace Brown, the Pirates pitcher, decides to finish it. He throws a third strike, but he reckoned without Gabby’s determination. The 37-year-old catcher swung with all he had and deposited a homer in the left field bleachers.

The Cubs had won! They went on to take the title and faced the Yankees in the World Series where they were promptly swept out in four straight contests.

But Hartnett’s home run had ignited a firestorm. Earl Milligan of the Associate Press dubbed it “The Homer In The Gloamin’” as a play on words from a popular old song called “Roamin’ In The Gloamin’”. The Cubs star even earned a parade for his effort!

It was the stuff of legend, Cubs legends at least. So Rizzo should be proud of his achievement. He has put his name beside that of one of the most iconic names in franchise history.

As a side note, a touch of irony perhaps, the only other home run in the game was also a solo shot, hit by a Pirates left fielder named Rizzo.