Fergie Jenkins
From BR Bullpen
Ferguson Arthur Jenkins
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 5", Weight 210 lb.
- Debut September 10, 1965
- Final Game September 26, 1983
- Born December 13, 1942 in Chatham, ON CAN
Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1991
[edit] Biographical Information
Pitcher Fergie Jenkins of the Chicago Cubs won 20 games six consecutive seasons, from 1967 to 1972. He was noted for giving up the gopher ball but he gave up so few hits almost no walks that the HRs didn't hurt him very much. He was also a good hitter, slugging 6 HRs in 1971 to go with 3 the previous year. Jenkins was involved in two good trades for the Cubs. He was acquired in April 1966 (along with outfielder Adolfo Phillips) from the Philadelphia Phillies for pitchers Larry Jackson and Bob Buhl. Then, after the 1973 season, Jenkins was dealt to the Texas Rangers for infielders Bill Madlock and Vic Harris. Madlock went on to be a batting champion while Jenkins had only a few good years left in his arm. He eventually returned to the Cubs to finish his career in 1983.
Jenkins became the first player in baseball history to be permanently suspended from baseball for a drug related offense. He was arrested in Toronto on August 25, 1980 for possession of cocaine. Fourteen days after the arrest, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn banned Jenkins. In an unprecedented decision, he was reinstated by an independent arbitrator on September 22, 1980.
In 1987, Jenkins was elected into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
In 1989 , he played for the Winter Haven Super Sox of the Senior Professional Baseball Association. He won 7 games and had a 5.55 ERA for the club.
In 1990, Jenkins played for the Sun City Rays of the Senior Professional Baseball Association. He pitched in 3 games when the league folded.
He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 8, 1991 by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
In 2003, he served as the Commissioner of the short-lived Canadian Baseball League; the league's championship, the Jenkins Cup, was named for him.
Quote: "Fergie is still the best pitcher in baseball. They can talk about Tom Seaver all they want, but I'll take Fergie." former teammate Ken Holtzman, 1974.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 3-time NL All-Star (1967, 1971 & 1972)
- NL Cy Young Award Winner (1971)
- 1974 AL Comeback Player of the Year Award
- 2-time League Wins Leader (1971/NL & 1974/AL)
- NL Innings Pitched Leader (1971)
- NL Strikeouts Leader (1969)
- 4-time League Complete Games Leader (1967/NL, 1970/NL, 1971/NL & 1974/AL)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 10 (1967-1972, 1974, 1975, 1978 & 1979)
- 20 Wins Seasons: 7 (1967-1972 & 1974)
- 25 Wins Seasons: 1 (1974)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 13 (1967-1976, 1978, 1979 & 1982)
- 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 5 (1968-1971 & 1974)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 6 (1967-1971 & 1974)
- Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1991
| NL Cy Young Award | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 1971 | 1972 |
| Bob Gibson | Fergie Jenkins | Steve Carlton |
