The Chicago Cubs didn’t win a World Series title from 1908 to 2016.
That doesn’t mean, however, that they don’t have a rich history and didn’t enjoy some good years in between.
MLB is more than just winning a title: it’s about bringing joy to a fan base, and there are several ways in which this can be done.
Celebrating their good players, and those who built a connection with fans, is certainly one of them.
That’s what the Cubs did with their most recent tweet.
“Did you know: The Cubs have only had one first overall draft pick in team history. #BlackHistoryMonth The #1 pick in 1982, newest Cubs Hall of Famer Shawon Dunston was known for his infectious smile and dynamic on-field play, making him a beloved teammate and fan favorite,” they tweeted.
Did you know: The Cubs have only had one first overall draft pick in team history. #BlackHistoryMonth
The #1 pick in 1982, newest Cubs Hall of Famer Shawon Dunston was known for his infectious smile and dynamic on-field play, making him a beloved teammate and fan favorite. pic.twitter.com/O7euQ67AZ8
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 7, 2023
Dunston was known for his free-swinging ways, which doesn’t mean he was strikeout-prone but did limit the number of walks he drew.
In fact, he retired with a 3.2% walk rate that severely limited his offensive profile.
From the mid-eighties to the mid-nineties, Dunston was the Cubs’ shortstop.
He had some power and some speed, retiring with 150 home runs and 212 stolen bases.
He made two All-Star teams, in 1988 and 1990, both with the Cubs.
After leaving Chicago in 1995, he played with the San Francisco Giants (1996), the Cubs again (1997), the Pittsburgh Pirates (1997), the Cleveland Indians (1998), the Giants (1998), the St. Louis Cardinals ( 1999), the New York Mets (1999), and then the Cards (2000) and Giants (2001–2002) to finish his career.
He hit .269/.296/.416 and even though he didn’t quite have the impact one would expect from a first overall pick, Cubs fan remember him with a smile on their faces.
