Call to the pen
Fansided

Chicago Cubs: The 4 players who are on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore

By Kevin Henry

April 1969; Unknown location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Cubs shortstop Ernie Banks in action during the 1969 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
April 1969; Unknown location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Cubs shortstop Ernie Banks in action during the 1969 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Billy Williams of the Chicago Cubs. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Billy Williams of the Chicago Cubs. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Billy Williams belongs on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore

For 16 seasons between 1959 and 1974, Billy Williams defined excellence as an outfielder for the Chicago Cubs, setting the standard for anyone playing left field in the future for the franchise.

Williams possessed a sweet and powerful swing that produced 392 home runs for the Cubs as well as consistently high batting averages. His offensive prowess earned him the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1961 (a season where he slashed .278/.338/.484 with 25 home runs and 86 RBI) as well as a batting title in 1972, a year he finished second in MVP voting with an NL-leading 1.005 OPS.

He finished second in the MVP race in 1970 and 1972, a pair of seasons where he led all MLB players in total bases (373 and 348, respectively).

In 1987, the Cubs honored Billy Williams by retiring his jersey number 26, forever cementing his legacy in the franchise’s history.

Home/Chicago Cubs