Fergie Jenkins became one of the best right-handed pitchers of his era, if not all-time, albeit the round-about manner he took to the major leagues. Born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada on December 13, 1942, Jenkins has a thriving basketball career playing with the legendary Harlem Globetrotters prior to ever playing professional baseball. Possessing a dominant fastball and good curve, Jenkins was an intimidating presence on the mound. Signed as an amateur by the Philadelphia Phillies, Fergie Jenkins made it to the major leagues in 1965 and spent the next three seasons pitching adequately but in unremarkable relief appearances. Traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1966, Jenkins received his chance to become a starting pitcher in 1967 and had great immediate success going 20-13 with an impressive 2.80 earned run average.
For his first six seasons as a Chicago Cub Jenkins won 20 or more games each season, and had seven 20 win seasons in his career. The best season Forge Jenkins has was in 1971 when he won the National League Cy Young Award by posting a 24-13 record with a 2.77 earned run average, 325 innings pitched and 263 strikeouts. Jenkins went on to play for several other teams such as the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox, and while he pitched very well, never recaptured the success of his days in Chicago. In all, Fergie Jenkins was named an all-star on three occasions.
In his career, Jenkins led both the National and American Leagues in wins one time each,and had 13 seasons in which he pitched 200 innings or more, including 5 seasons of over 300 innings pitched. Fergie Jenkins finished his career with a 284-226 record, a 3.34 earned run average, 3,192 strikeouts and 49 shutouts. He was named to the Canadian baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and the American Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.
Perhaps the greatest legacy of Fergie Jenkins was his ability to compete on a high level for many years with good success. Jenkins was at his best in one of the most difficult venues for any baseball pitcher – Wrigley Field, and went about the sport of baseball with a workman-like attitude and dedication. While other pitchers of his era were better known and received more glory and publicity, Jenkins went about his business unaffected by fame and was and is known as one of the more likable players.
Leave Your Comments