Lest we forget: Lennie Merullo

June 1, 2015

https://i0.wp.com/static01.nyt.com/images/2015/06/01/sports/merulloobit1/merulloobit1-blog427.jpg?resize=205%2C258The last man standing of the last Cubs’ World Series team.

Merullo broke in with the Cubs — his only Major League team — in 1941 at the age of 24. In seven season, he compiled a lifetime batting average of .240 in 639 games with eight home runs and 152 RBI.

He enjoyed his best season in 1942, when he had career highs in games (143), at bats (515), hits (132), doubles (23), homers (3), RBI (37) and stolen bases (14). He also led the National League with 22 sacrifice hits.

He was not, apparently, a very good fielder. He was in the top five in errors four times, leading the league with 29 in his final season, 1947.

Merullo appeared in three games in the Series, won by the Detroit Tigers in seven games. He was 0-2.

Merullo died on May 30 at the age of 98. Here’s his obit from The New York Times, written by Richard Goldstein, and the Chicago Tribune by Fred Mitchell.

Now there’s a book waiting to be written.

https://i0.wp.com/s3.amazonaws.com/media.wbur.org/wordpress/11/files/2014/06/0606_cubs-merullo-e1402066276932.jpg?resize=367%2C294

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