In the preseason prognostications, the Chicago Cubs were the only team in the National League East given no chance whatsoever to top the division. How could they? In a frenzy of house cleaning after the disappointing fifth-place 1973 season, exasperated Owner Phil Wrigley had traded away his strongest players like so many bubble-gum cards: slugging Third Baseman Ron Santo, All-Star Second Baseman Glenn Beckert and the team's longtime pitching ace, Ferguson Jenkins. Result: the Cubs toppled into last place in 1974. Wrigley's response: last winter he unloaded lifetime .296 Hitter Billy Williams to...
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