Fergie Jenkins

A Hall of Fame pitcher, Fergie Jenkins made history in 1971 by becoming the first Canadian and Chicago Cubs pitcher to win the National League Cy Young Award. This prestigious honor followed a stellar season where he recorded 24 wins, 13 losses, and a 2.77 Earned Run Average (ERA) over a career-high 325.0 innings pitched. Jenkins’ formidable professional career in Major League Baseball (MLB) spanned from his debut with the Philadelphia Phillies on September 10, 1965, until his final game in 1983. With the Cubs, Jenkins demonstrated exceptional consistency, achieving 20 or more wins for six consecutive seasons from 1967 to 1972.

He achieved his 250th career win in 1980 and notably recorded his 3,000th career strikeout in 1982, ultimately totaling 3,192 strikeouts by the end of his playing days. He returned to the Chicago Cubs for his final two seasons, concluding his impactful MLB career in 1983. His extraordinary impact on the sport culminated in his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, celebrating his significant contributions and achievements in baseball. Further honoring his legacy, the Chicago Cubs retired his jersey number 31 in 2009.

A true legend of the game, Jenkins continues to inspire through philanthropic efforts and public appearances, embodying excellence and dedication both on and off the field.