Chicago Cubs History: Longtime Cubs who turned into Cardinals

Chicago Cubs: A former 1960s-1970s centerpiece spent some time in St. Louis

Don Kessinger was one of the most talented shortstops the Cubs had ever had. He spent 12 years on the North Side and was a two-time Gold Glove winner and six-time All Star. In his 1,648 games as a Cub he collected 1,619 hits and scored 769 runs. To this day he ranks second behind “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks in hits, games played and runs scored by a Cubs shortstop.

After the 1975 season, the longtime Cubs shortstop was traded to the Cardinals for Mike Garman and a PTBNL. He was the last player from the famous 1969 team to go.

On May 25, 1976, Kessinger returned to Wrigley Field as a Cardinal. The Cardinals defeated the Cubs 5-2 with Kessinger going 0-for-4 with a walk. Worth noting that he faced his former team on Opening Day as the Cubs opened the 1976 season in St. Louis.

Kessinger would play in 204 games in Cardinals red from 1976 and part of 1977 before being dealt to the White Sox. He hit .239/.318/.303 in St. Louis with one home run and 47 RBI.

The Cardinals did not go anywhere while Kessinger was around and was a pretty forgettable stint for him. His playing success was virtually all with the Cubs, while having a solid go in 1978 with the Sox.