Cubs Scrapbook March 26, 1969

I'm a few days early but I have time today.  Here's the first entry from a set of scrapbooks I won on Ebay last summer.  

"Pennant May be Sprouting in the Vally of the Sun".  "This is the Year".  Those could easily be headlines pulled from today's paper.  In this case they come from the date below.

Jim never did get another chance.

Durocher may have been getting a lot out of his team, but personality-wise he was no Joe Maddon.  Many of the players hated him.

Please note:  I do not own the rights to any of the articles or pictures posted here.  If anyone feels I have infringed on their copyright please let me know and I will remove the items.  

Just a Tease

I hinted in my 2016 Goals post about a Cubs item that I'd be sharing.  This
seems like a good time.  I honestly haven't prepared anything yet but here's a tease:

What Was Your First Piece of Sports Memorablia?

What was the very first piece of sports memorabilia that you remember getting?

I guess I posted my very first piece of sports memorabilia in my very first post.  It's the program from opening Day at Wrigley Field in 1969.

This is my first piece of non-paper memorablia from the same season.  It was part of a set but I only remember getting this one.  It has four Cubs legends' facsimile autographs, my favorite Ron Santo, Ernie Banks, Don Kessinger and Glenn Beckert.  Somebody correct me but I think they were a gas station premium.

I've purchased lots of cards and some other memorabilia as an adult but these first ones from my childhood hold a special place in my collection.

69 Cubs are SWELL Part 2

Here are more 1969 Cubs from Swell, this time 1991.

1991 Swell #115 Don Kessinger

Here's a shot of shortstop Don Kessinger taken at Wrigley Field in 1969. Is there a better backdrop in baseball than the ivy at Wrigley?

1991 Swell #5 Ernie Banks

Another 1969 shot (the patch on the right sleeve is the giveaway). Not sure what Ernie's doing here. I doubt he was bunting. Maybe.

1991 Swell #98 Billy Williams

Classic close-up of Billy. Gotta love that gentle face.

1991 Swell #45 Fergie Jenkins

Fergie had his number 31 jersey retired this summer along with Greg Maddux. He looks very young in this shot. Where have the years gone?

1991 Swell #81 Ron Santo

My favorite player of all-time at Wrigley in his prime. Sorry about this year Ronny.