When it comes to MLB\u2019s worst seasons, the more historic the team, the more difficult it is to pinpoint just which of their seasons was truly the worst. For some, like the Colorado Rockies or Miami Marlins, it is simply a matter of finding the season in which they had the fewest amount of wins. But for our subjects today, the Chicago Cubs, grandiose lines of historic data can help to mar the search. The team has been around so long that they\u2019ve played in nine separate seasons of less than 100 games\u2026and that includes the 2020 pandemic. So, just to be fair to other teams in this series, we will be discussing their worst season by winning percentage.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, this is where the search hits yet another snag. In the 1960s, the Cubs were such an organizational roller coaster that they put up the same record twice in four years (1962 & 1966). That record was 59-103, which stands as their worst mark of the Modern Era. So, the question now becomes which of the two is actually worse. After comparing the two, it seems to this writer that the actual bigger folly is the 1966 season, because it was such a waste of some prime, Hall of Fame offensive talent. Let\u2019s dig in, then, and see how a 1966 Cubs team featuring Ernie Banks<\/a>, Billy Williams<\/a>, and Ron Santo<\/a> could wind up as one of MLB\u2019s worst seasons.<\/p>\n Now, it is true that the Cubs did not have the best offense in 1966. In some cases, they were statistically rather poor. However, the things that they did well, they amplified. One of their great successes was hitting home runs. The team finished with 140 long balls, good for fifth in the league. Six of the regular starting nine finished in double digits. Santo crushed 30, Williams hit 29, and Banks, entering the twilight of his career, still managed a respectable 15. Meanwhile, catcher Randy Hundley<\/a> hit 19 and outfielders Byron Browne<\/a> and Adolfo Phillips<\/a> each contributed 16. Philips was also an accomplished base stealer, swiping 32 bags on the year.<\/p>\n The 1966 Cubs, much like the 1932 Chicago White Sox<\/a>, simply did not strike out. They did so less than 1,000 times as a team. Three of their starters finished with less than 50 strikeouts. Williams, despite being a hitter well known for his dangerous power, only whiffed 61 times in 648 at-bats. However, the real hero of patience and persistence was second baseman Glenn Beckert<\/a>. He was fanned 36 times in 656 at-bats for a total strikeout percentage of 5.2%. In fact, Beckert would only strike out 243 times in over 5,200 career at-bats. The lack of strikeouts helped guide the team to 1,418 hits, also good for fifth in the league.<\/p>\n First game I watched in my sports fandom: September 25, 1966 at Wrigley and on WGN: Kenny Holtzman of 10th-place Cubs outdueled Sandy Koufax and pennant-winning Dodgers, 2-1. \u2014 MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) April 15, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nMLB’s Worst Seasons: 1966 Chicago Cubs<\/h2>\n
An Offense Worth Praising<\/h3>\n
Put The Ball in Play<\/h3>\n
The Achilles Heel<\/h3>\n
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\nReflective on news Holtzman has died at 78.
\nhttps:\/\/t.co\/6wSoOj8ogY<\/a><\/p>\n