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Glenn Beckert, RIP

“Glenn Beckert was a wonderful person who also happened to be an excellent ballplayer.” –Statement from the Chicago Cubs upon the passing of Glenn Beckert

Yesterday was a sad day for the baseball world, especially for those of us who are long-time Cub fans, as we learned of the passing of Glenn Beckert, at age 79.

A pillar of the beloved 1969 team and mainstay second baseman of great Cub teams through the early 1970s, Glenn Beckert was a prototypical #2 hitter. He became a favorite of his small-ball, hit-and-run manager Leo Durocher. Beckert was adept at hitting behind the runner and became a great “table-setter” for the slugging trio of Billy Williams, Ron Santo, and Ernie Banks. Over his career, he had multiple long hitting streaks, broke up numerous no-hit bids, and was known for his clutch hits to right field.

Glenn played 11 seasons in the majors (1965-‘75) for the Cubs (1965-‘73) and the Padres (1974-’75). Over his career, he hit .283, with 22 home runs, and 360 RBIs. A four-time All-Star, his best season was 1971 when he hit .342, with a remarkable .370 at Wrigley Field. He led the National League in runs in 1968 with 98, and also won his only Gold Glove the same year. A tough, contact hitter, extraordinarily hard to strike out, he led the league five times in fewest strikeouts per at-bat, fanning only 235 times in 5,020 at-bats.

The Pittsburgh native attended Perry High School and was a three-sport star. He attended Allegheny College and turned heads with his sparkling play at shortstop. Drafted by the Red Sox in 1962, he was a minor league shortstop for three years in the Pacific Coast League, and was claimed by the Cubs for $8,000 in December 1962.

Following the sudden death of Cubs’ promising second baseman Ken Hubbs in 1964, he was promoted to the Big Show for the 1965 season and made his major league debut on April 12, 1965. That started his nine-year tenure in Chicago where Leo Durocher teamed him up with shortstop Don Kessinger to form one of the most reliable double-play combinations of the era. The duo remained together for the next eight seasons. Both played in their 1,000 major league game on the same day, August 21, 1971.

The word of Glenn’s passing brought in a flood of accolades and words of affection from former teammates:

“He was one of those guys who liked to check in and ask, ‘How you doing?’ We had some great conversations,” said Billy Williams. “He was a great teammate and a fun guy to be around. He was quick-witted. He and Ron Santo and myself, we used to go out and really enjoy life.”

 “We talked so many times,” remembered Kessinger. “’Beck’ was a great teammate and a friend, and he’s been on my mind the last little while.”

Hall-of-Famer Fergie Jenkins recalled his good friend’s wry sense of humor and added: “Just knowing Glenn was behind me defensively, that always gave me a good feeling when I pitched.” Twenty-seven years after they became teammates in 1966, Beckert was the best man at Jenkins’ wedding.

An example of his renowned quick wit occurred in 1965 when Beckert was invited to the Chicago baseball writers’ annual Diamond Dinner to receive the local Rookie of the Year Award. The dinner was also attended by his manager, Leo Durocher. Beckert brought the house down as he quipped from the dais:

“It’s very seldom a .240 hitter gets to the speakers’ table. But Mr. Durocher’s here…so I’m not alone!”

After his playing days, Glenn was a familiar sight at Wrigley Field and Cubs Conventions. He was also a mainstay at Randy Hundley’s fantasy camps in Arizona, where his playful nature always delighted in giving Hundley – a notoriously easy target – a hard time. His physical deterioration began in 2001 when he fell down a flight of 15 concrete stairs and was badly injured. In recent years his declining health prevented him from attending Cubs Conventions and spring training where his free-spirited, fun-loving nature was always missed.

A grinder who played hard every game, Glenn Beckert won an enduring spot in the hearts of Cub fans who saw him play, especially those of us who recall the 1969 season so vividly. So today we say a sad good-bye to Glenn Beckert. He will be missed, but will always be remembered fondly.

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Gary Livacari 

Photo Credits: Featured photo from Chicago Sun-Times; All others from Google search

Information: Excerpts edited from articles on Glenn Beckert in Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune, April 13, 2020

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