On May 13, 1969, Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs drives in seven runs and reaches the 1,500-RBI milestone in a 19-0 shellacking of the expansion San Diego Padres. Hard-throwing right-hander Dick Selma earns the win as the Cubs tie a modern-day record for the most one-sided shutout in National League history. Selma allowed just 3 hits and K’d 10 Padres. The Cubs scored in 6 of the first 7 innings putting up 4,4,1,0,3,2,5. Nate Oliver also drove in 4 runs for the Cubs as the bagged out 15 hits and were aided by 11 walks. Only Joe Niekro survived the day without giving up a run for the Padres.

Banks achieved the milestone in the first inning off loser Dick Kelley when he hit a 2 run homerun. He became just the 17th man at the time to drive in 1,500 runs.  After the game Ernie would discuss his swing. “I’ve been changing my stance in the last couple of weeks, spreading out a little bit more and trying all kinds of things,” Banks would add, “My big problem is that I am swinging too hard, I started swing too hard when we were in Philly and I am not that type of hitter. I’ve got to swing nice and easy and just try to meet the ball. Today I went back to my old stance. I sure had gotten a little worried but Billy Williams simply said, don’t rush it Ernie. It will come back. That helped me a lot and today it showed.”

Banks had a special guest, his daughter Jan was at the game along with her class mates. (Image below from Ray Gora of the Chicago Tribune)

 

1969 | Billy Williams | Chicago Cubs | Dick Kelley | Dick Selma | Ernie Banks | Joe Niekro | May 13 | Nate Oliver | San Diego Padres | Wrigley Field