Fergie Jenkins went 2-1 with one save and a 2.45 ERA in 8 games with the Phillies
Fergie Jenkins was just 23 years old when the picture was taken for this card. Topps saw Jenkins as a “Rookie Star” and they were right. A 1965 September call-up, Jenkins made his debut with 4 1/3 scoreless innings against the Cardinals. His time in Philadelphia was brief. In 8 appearanc
Fergie Jenkins went 2-1 with one save and a 2.45 ERA in 8 games with the Phillies
Fergie Jenkins was just 23 years old when the picture was taken for this card. Topps saw Jenkins as a “Rookie Star” and they were right.
A 1965 September call-up, Jenkins made his debut with 4 1/3 scoreless innings against the Cardinals. His time in Philadelphia was brief. In 8 appearances – all in relief – he earned two wins and a save while pitching to a 2.45 ERA.
In April of ’66 he was dealt to the Cubs in a 5-player trade that goes down as one of the worst in Phillies history.
The trade to get Fergie Jenkins was one of the best in Chicago Cubs history
On April 21, 1966 the Phillies sent John Herrnstein, Adolph Phillips, and 23-year old Ferguson Jenkins to the Chicago Cubs for Bob Buhl and Larry Jackson. For Philadelphia the trade was a disaster. Click here to see Fergie talk to CooperstownExpert.com about the trade. In the collection is the docum
The trade to get Fergie Jenkins was one of the best in Chicago Cubs history
On April 21, 1966 the Phillies sent John Herrnstein, Adolph Phillips, and 23-year old Ferguson Jenkins to the Chicago Cubs for Bob Buhl and Larry Jackson. For Philadelphia the trade was a disaster.
Click here to see Fergie talk to CooperstownExpert.com about the trade.
In the collection is the document that formalized the fateful Philly transaction. Starting the following season, Jenkins reeled off six consecutive 20-win campaigns highlighted by his Cy Young season of 1971.
When Fergie saw this document, he only shook his head before adding the inscription, “And they said they didn’t need pitching”.
Also notable is the signature of John J. Quinn, Philadelphia’s general manager who is part of a multi-generational baseball family. Phillie fans might want to burn this document but for now it remains in the collection.
Click here to see a video from Jenkins about the trade.
In 1967 Ferguson Jenkins won 20 games to join the prestigious "Black Aces"
When Jim “Mudcat” Grant won a league-leading 21 games in 1965, he became the American League’s first African-American 20-game winner. Later he published his autobiography under the title, The Black Aces: Baseball’s Only African-American Twenty-Game Winners. The term, “B
In 1967 Ferguson Jenkins won 20 games to join the prestigious "Black Aces"
When Jim “Mudcat” Grant won a league-leading 21 games in 1965, he became the American League’s first African-American 20-game winner. Later he published his autobiography under the title, The Black Aces: Baseball’s Only African-American Twenty-Game Winners.
The term, “Black Aces” came to represent 20-game winners of African-American descent. The first member of the club was Don Newcombe of the 1951 Brooklyn Dodgers. A Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and MVP, Newk’ had 20 or more wins on three occasions including a league-leading 27 in 1956.
Four years later Sam Jones of the San Francisco Giants posted an NL-best 21 victories to join Newcombe. First AL Black Ace Mudcat Grant earned his 20th win of 1965 on September 25; eight days later the Cardinals’ Bob Gibson became the club’s fourth member. Gibson reached the 20-win plateau again in 1966, ’68, ’69, and ’70.
In 1967 Fergie Jenkins and Earl Wilson gained membership by winning 20 and 22 games respectively. Jenkins proved to be the most prolific of the 20-game winners, reaching the mark in seven seasons.
Flamethrower JR Richard secured his spot with the Black Aces in 1976 with exactly 20 victories while Mike Norris joined him as a 22-game winner in 1980 with the A’s.
Former Rookie of the Year Dontrelle Willis became the first Black Ace of the 21st century with 22 victories in 2005. Five years later CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees led the league with 21 triumphs to join his mates. The most recent addition to the exclusive club is David Price who won exactly 20 in his Cy Young campaign of 2012.
Shown here is the 1974 player’s contract for fellow Black Ace Bob Gibson. His five 20-win campaigns are surpassed among Black Aces only by Fergie Jenkins’ seven. The year the contract was signed Gibson struck out his 3,000th batter to join Walter Johnson as the second man to reach the benchmark.
Jenkins attributed his success to the development of his devastating slider in Chicago
After signing the document that finalized his trade from the Phillies to the Cubs, Fergie Jenkins filled out this questionnaire about the deal and his career. When asked why the Phillies traded him, Jenkins replied, “Not sure, but it didn’t work”. Also of interest is his response a
Jenkins attributed his success to the development of his devastating slider in Chicago
After signing the document that finalized his trade from the Phillies to the Cubs, Fergie Jenkins filled out this questionnaire about the deal and his career.
When asked why the Phillies traded him, Jenkins replied, “Not sure, but it didn’t work”.
Also of interest is his response about his success (six 20-win seasons) at Wrigley Field, “I learned to pitch in winter ball and developed a great slider.”
Fergie was regularly among the league leaders in wins and strikeouts
Fergie Jenkins led the league in wins twice and won in the top-3 in the category a total of 7 times. In 1969 he topped all NL hurlers in strikeouts, and was in the top-5 in eight different seasons. The ’71 campaign was especially memorable for Jenkins as he went 24-13 and led the league with a
Fergie was regularly among the league leaders in wins and strikeouts
Fergie Jenkins led the league in wins twice and won in the top-3 in the category a total of 7 times. In 1969 he topped all NL hurlers in strikeouts, and was in the top-5 in eight different seasons.
The ’71 campaign was especially memorable for Jenkins as he went 24-13 and led the league with an astonishing 30 complete games en route to the Cy Young Award. Jenkins won at least 20 games in every season but one from 1967 to 1974.
Shown here are two Topps leaders cards from Jenkins’ career. The pitcher has autographed each one.
The last of Jenkins' All Star selections came with the Cubs in 1972
The last of his three All Star seasons, 1972 was a year to remember for Fergie Jenkins. It was the sixth and final 20-win season Jenkins had for Chicago though he would win 25 for the Rangers in 1974. Jenkins also finished third in balloting for the Cy Young Award in 1972 behind Steve Carlton and ru
The last of Jenkins' All Star selections came with the Cubs in 1972
The last of his three All Star seasons, 1972 was a year to remember for Fergie Jenkins. It was the sixth and final 20-win season Jenkins had for Chicago though he would win 25 for the Rangers in 1974.
Jenkins also finished third in balloting for the Cy Young Award in 1972 behind Steve Carlton and runner up Steve Blass.
Shown here is a 1972 Topps baseball card autographed by Jenkins.
The Cubs traded Fergie Jenkins to the Texas Rangers for Bill Madlock in 1973
Fergie Jenkins was masterful in Chicago. From 1967-1973 he totaled 141 victories and topped the 20-win plateau in six of the seven years. The run came to an end on October 23, 1973 when the Cubs dealt him to the Texas Rangers for 23-year old Bill Madlock. Jenkins first year in Texas featured a caree
The Cubs traded Fergie Jenkins to the Texas Rangers for Bill Madlock in 1973
Fergie Jenkins was masterful in Chicago. From 1967-1973 he totaled 141 victories and topped the 20-win plateau in six of the seven years.
The run came to an end on October 23, 1973 when the Cubs dealt him to the Texas Rangers for 23-year old Bill Madlock. Jenkins first year in Texas featured a career-high 25 wins to go along with 29 complete games. He finished second in Cy Young voting.
Madlock hit .313 for the Cubs and finished third in Rookie of the Year balloting. He followed that up with back-to-back batting crowns in ’74 and ’75. Chicago then packaged him in a five-player deal to get Bobby Murcer from the Giants.
Shown here is Madlock’s first Topps baseball card. The eventual four-time batting champion has affixed his signature across it.
Jenkins' six years in Texas covered two stints with the Rangers from 1974-1981
After acquiring Fergie Jenkins from the Cubs, the Rangers watched him win 42 games in ’74 and ’75. In November of ’75 Texas dealt him to the Red Sox. Jenkins’ stay in Boston saw his season win totals dip to 12 in ’76 and 10 in ’77. Boston sent him back to Texas in
Jenkins' six years in Texas covered two stints with the Rangers from 1974-1981
After acquiring Fergie Jenkins from the Cubs, the Rangers watched him win 42 games in ’74 and ’75. In November of ’75 Texas dealt him to the Red Sox. Jenkins’ stay in Boston saw his season win totals dip to 12 in ’76 and 10 in ’77.
Boston sent him back to Texas in a December deal in 1977. Jenkins enjoyed a resurgence in Arlington, winning 18 games in ’78. He remained with the Rangers until returning to the Cubs as a free agent in December of ’81.
When he retired in 1983, Jenkins’ Cooperstown resume included 284 wins, 49 shutouts, 267 complete games, and 3,192 strikeouts.
In the collection is a contract extension executed by Fergie Jenkins and Topps Chewing Gum. Signed March 25, 1976, the contract calls for Jenkins to receive $75 for agreeing to appear on baseball cards for three more years. Legendary Topps Vice President Sy Berger has also signed the document at the bottom.
By the 1980s, Ferguson Jenkins was destined for Hall of Fame induction
By the end of the 1970s, Ferguson Jenkins had 247 wins and 2,770 strikeouts. He entered the 80s as a veteran of 15 big league seasons. In 1983 Topps put out the Super Veteran series of cards highlighting the games best players. The Jenkins card from the set features the 1965 picture of a young Fergi
By the 1980s, Ferguson Jenkins was destined for Hall of Fame induction
By the end of the 1970s, Ferguson Jenkins had 247 wins and 2,770 strikeouts. He entered the 80s as a veteran of 15 big league seasons.
In 1983 Topps put out the Super Veteran series of cards highlighting the games best players. The Jenkins card from the set features the 1965 picture of a young Fergie Jenkins in a Phillies hat beside the 1983 shot in the more familiar Cubs attire.
Below that card is the 1967 Pitching leaders card. Mike McCormick led National League pitchers with 22 wins on his way to the Cy Young Award. Fergie was right behind him with 20 wins – the first season Jenkins reached the plateau. Both cards are autographed.
Jenkins was the first Canadian-born member of the Hall of Fame
The only surprise of Fergie Jenkins’ induction into the Hall of Fame is that it wasn’t in his first try. With seven 20-win campaigns, 284 wins, and five top-3 finishes in Cy Young balloting, many thought him a first-ballot choice. The first pitcher to end his career with at least 3,000 s
Jenkins was the first Canadian-born member of the Hall of Fame
The only surprise of Fergie Jenkins’ induction into the Hall of Fame is that it wasn’t in his first try. With seven 20-win campaigns, 284 wins, and five top-3 finishes in Cy Young balloting, many thought him a first-ballot choice.
The first pitcher to end his career with at least 3,000 strikeouts and fewer than 1,000 walks, Jenkins got in on his third time on the ballot.
Fergie Jenkins jersey number 31 was retired by the Cubs in 2009
Fergie Jenkins and Greg Maddux became the first Cubs hurlers to have their jersey numbers retired. Both men wore #31 and saw their number retired in 2009. Jenkins holds the top spot in Cubs franchise history in pitchers’ WAR, starts, and strikeouts. He ranks 4th in shutouts and 5th in wins. Je
Fergie Jenkins jersey number 31 was retired by the Cubs in 2009
Fergie Jenkins and Greg Maddux became the first Cubs hurlers to have their jersey numbers retired. Both men wore #31 and saw their number retired in 2009.
Jenkins holds the top spot in Cubs franchise history in pitchers’ WAR, starts, and strikeouts. He ranks 4th in shutouts and 5th in wins. Jenkins also holds the distinction as the Cubs first Cy Young Award winner.
Maddux earned the Cy Young for the Cubs in 1992, the fourth Chicago NL hurler to do so. One hundred and thirty three of his 355 victories came in a Cubs uniform.
Shown here is Maddux’s contract extension with Topps Chewing Gum. He was on his way to stardom when he signed this on May 3, 1988. The first year of the extension saw an 18-win season and Maddux’s first All Star appearance.
Jenkins remains humble and grateful for his baseball career
In the letter above Fergie Jenkins reflects on what it means to him to gain election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. “One never thinks of getting elected into baseball’s Hall of Fame until the call comes,” he writes. “1991 was my year…It is indeed an honor for my family a
Jenkins remains humble and grateful for his baseball career
In the letter above Fergie Jenkins reflects on what it means to him to gain election to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“One never thinks of getting elected into baseball’s Hall of Fame until the call comes,” he writes. “1991 was my year…It is indeed an honor for my family and myself to have such a great tribute bestowed on me.”
Jenkins’ humble tone was a hallmark of his fine pitching career. His gratitude remains strong for the people who helped him along the way.
The letter is dated May 22, 1991. Fergie’s actual induction came two months later on July 21 the same year.
Imagine trading a 23-year old pitcher to your rival only to see him post six straight seasons of at least 20 wins. That’s just what the Philadelphia Phillies did when the shipped Fergie Jenkins to the Chicago Cubs in 1966. By the time his career was over, the 1971 Cy Young Award winner won 284 games and struck out 3,192 batters. In 1991 Jenkins became the first Canadian-born player to reach baseball immortality via induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. In the CooperstownExpert.com collection is the document from the commissioner’s office that made official what many consider the worst trade in Phillies’ franchise history. Enjoy this video then click here to see Fergie’s own thoughts on the trade in a shoutout to this website. Reach Jim Smiley, the author of this story, CooperstownExpert@gmail.com Be sure to check out CooperstownExpert.com, the internet’s leading website for the display of museum-quality baseball autographs.
