Overpowering, workhorse Canadian….6 straight
seasons of 20 game wins on the North side…easy ticket to the Hall of Fame….trade
from Phillies may have the Cub’s best trade ever at a time when Chicago was
famous for getting taken in the Lou Brock deal….has a 6’5” frame.... could also hit for power…13 home
runs and twice was summoned to the plate in the DH era….NL Cy Young winner 1971
although award was somewhat overshadowed by the Vida Blue/Mickey Lolich duel
for AL honors….many years Fergie surrendered league highs in home runs, but his
few walks minimizes the damage….if
teamed with Sam McDowell could have been the intimidating stare down staff
ever….20 game win streak busted by a
subpar 1973, prompting a trade to Texas….new digs paid huge dividends…career high
25 wins…instrumental in the Ranger’s ascension from baseball worst team to 2nd
in the AL west in one years….one more year in the Lone Star State and then
moved on to Boston….Stationed on the east coast his two stint could best be
described as pedestrian… 1978: strong in
a second return to Texas by going 18-8….continued winning for another year and
.500 record in the next…took a second return to Cubs where he had so much
previous success for last three years ending in 1983….favorite story: picked up a hitchhiker in route to Texas
Spring Training so he wouldn’t drive alone….unfortunately there is no post
season story whatsoever in Fergie’s storied career….awesome combo control and
power resulting in an outstanding walk to strikeout ratio.
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