DELUSIONAL CUBS FAN

In a pregame ceremony at Wrigley Field on Sunday May 3rd 2009, the Chicago Cubs organization bestowed the greatest honor that can be given to any former player: The Cubs retired the uniform number 31 of both Fergie Jenkins and Greg Maddux for all time.

Both former Cubs players appeared in person for the ceremony in their honor.  Also in attendance were former Cubs players Ron Santo, Billy Williams and Ernie Banks, who have all had their uniform numbers retired as well.  The only retired number player not present was Ryne Sandberg, who was busy fulfilling his duty as manager of the Cubs AA minor league team the Tennessee Smokies.

During the ceremony each player was presented with a framed painting of themselves during their Cub years painted by Chicago artist John Hanley. Cubs chairman Crane Kenney introduced each player and both Jenkins and Maddux gave a short speach accepting the honor and thanking the Cubs, their former teammates and the fans.

Former teammates of each player did the honor of raising the retired #31 flags.  Fergie Jenkins catcher Randy Hundley and teammate Glenn Beckert, who was Jenkins best man at his wedding, raised Fergie Jenkins No. 31 up the flag pole in left field.  Former catcher Jody Davis raised Maddux’s No. 31 flag in right.

There are a lot of similarites between these two great players careers.  Both players have been incredibly popular both in their playing days with the Cubs and afterwords.  Both Maddux and Jenkins left the Chicago Cubs organization while still in the primes of their careers; but returned many years later to contribute to the Cubs yet again and enjoy a welcome home “victory lap” at the tail ends of their careers.

Both Jenkins and Maddux are in the rare elite of pitchers to have over 3000 career strikeouts but less than 1000 walks, a tribute to their control and skill.

Another amusing fact they both share is that neither player had asked to be number 31. Fergie Jenkins actually requested #30 when he joined the Cubs but it was already taken by Kenny Holtzman, so he was given #31 because it was the closest available number. Greg Maddux was issued #31 by equipment manager Yosh Kawano, the same man who had given Jenkins the #31 almost 20 years earlier. Maddux was a rookie at the time and figured why rock the boat and just took the number he was assigned.

Now the retired number 31 of Fergie Jenkins will forever fly on the left field flagpole and the retired number 31 of Greg Maddux will fly on the right field flag pole for all time, above the greatest ballpark in America.

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Fergie Jenkins Career Highlights with the Chicago Cubs

• Jenkins was 167-132 with a 3.20 ERA in 10 seasons (1966-1973, 1982-1983) with the Cubs.
• Cy Young Award Winner in 1971 when he went 24-13 with a 2.77 ERA, 263 strikeouts and a today unheard of 325 innings pitched and 30 complete games!
• Won 20 or more games with the Cubs for six consecutive seasons from 1967-1972
• Pitch 20 or more complete games with the Cubs for six consecutive seasons from 1967-1972
• Elected to the Hall of Fame as a Cub in 1991

Career Totals:  284 wins, 3.34 ERA, 267 complete games and 3,192 strikeouts

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Greg Maddux Career Highlights with the Chicago Cubs

• Won Cy Young Award in 1992, which would be the first of four consecutive Cy Young award wins.
• Won 15 or more games for five consecutive seasons with the Cubs (eventually racking up 17 straight seasons)
• Won 3 straight gold gloves from 1990-1992 (first of 13 straight and 18 gold gloves total)

Career Totals:  355 wins, 3.16 ERA 337 strikeouts

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Related: Greg Maddux - Fergie Jenkins Number Retirement Stories

Jenkins and Maddux — Retiring number 31 Photo Gallery - Chicago Tribune

Greg Maddux and Ferguson Jenkins were Cubs pitchers from different eras, but shared same kindred spirit - Chicago Sun Times

Cubs honor Ferguson Jenkins, Greg Maddux, retire No. 31 - Chicago Tribune

Fergie Jenkins Career Stats - Baseball-Reference.com

Greg Maddux Career Stats - Baseball-Reference.com

Cubs retire No. 31 for Jenkins, Maddux - MLB.com

Greg Maddux - Wikipedia

Fergie Jenkins - Wikipedia

Fergie Jenkins Jersey

Greg Maddux Jersey