At Wrigley Field, Ron Santo records his 2,000th career hit, a 3-run home run off Ron Bryant. Santo’s hit, driving in his 1,200th run, is the margin of victory as the Cubs top the Giants, 10 – 9.
1972 – Marking the debut of manager Whitey Lockman, Fergie Jenkins allows one hit in the Cubs’ 4 – 0 win over the Phillies. Willie Montanez’s 4th-inning double is the only hit. Reliever Jack Aker falters in the nitecap, and the Phils win, 4 – 1.
Cubs general manager John Holland announces Whitey Lockman will manage the Cubs, replacing Leo Durocher, who ‘stepped down’ as the team’s skipper after posting a 535-526 (.504) record during his seven years at the helm. ‘Leo the Lip’ will be hired by the Astros to replace Harry Walker at the end of next month.
1972 – Jim Wynn bangs two home runs and drives in four to pace a 10-6 triumph over the Cubs. Norm Miller and Lee May also homer. Chicago’s Billy Williams is retired in his first time up, snapping his consecutive hitting streak, but stays hot with a double and a home run.
1972 – Chicago’s Billy Williams goes 8-for-8 in a doubleheader split against the Astros. He sets a league mark with ten consecutive hits. Jim Wynn and Lee May go deep as Houston wins the opener, 6-5. The Cubs roar back in the nightcap, 9-5, as Williams goes 5-for-5 and Rick Monday socks two homers.
With a Ruthian blast at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium off Burt Hooton, first baseman Greg Luzinski ‘rings’ the replica of the Liberty Bell hanging in dead center field on the fourth level. The 500-foot clanger, which will be overshadowed by Rick Monday’s three routine round-trippers, will account for the Phillies’ only run when they lose to the Cubs, 8-1.
1972 – Johnny Edwards takes Ferguson Jenkins deep to stop the Cubs, 3-2, in eleven innings . Lee May and Ron Santo trade two-run shots in the first before Edwards breaks the tie. Jim Ray takes the victory.
On April 16, 1972, Chicago Cubs rookie Burt Hooton walks seven batters but still manages to hurl a 4-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. Hooton accomplishes the feat in just his fourth major league game.
The New York Yankees acquire outfielder Johnny Callison on a conditional basis from the Chicago Cubs. The Yankees will end up keeping him and completing the deal by shipping pitcher Jack Aker to the Cubs on May 17th.
1971 – The Chicago Cubs release longtime star and future Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, ending his 19-year major league career. The Cubs also announce that Banks will serve as a coach on manager Leo Durocher’s staff next season. Mr. Cub finishes his playing career with 512 home runs and 1,636 RBI.
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