January is always a slow month for the Chicago Cubs and baseball in general. Spring Training is still a month away and most of the top free agents have already signed with a new team. Although the Cubs have made some very important trades in the month of January. Ryne Sandberg, Rod Beck and Bill Buckner the most notable of all. January is the month that baseball inducts the latest Hall of Fame baseball players. A few Cub greats that got the call to the Hall recently include: Ron Santo
, Andre Dawson
, Ryne Sandberg and Ernie Banks
. A great Cubs closer that may have a chance one day, Lee Smith and Greg Maddux will be on the ballot soon. It shouldn't take long for him to be inducted.
Winter Fun @ Wrigley Field with the "Rink at Wrigley"
Another Cubs tradition, their January Cubs convention. In 2012, the event will be held at the Hilton at 720 N. Michigan Avenue from Friday, June 13 through Sunday, June 15.
Check out Ryan Dempster's impersonation of the late, Cubs annoucner, Harry Caray. Hilarious!!
January 2 Happy birthday to Cubs 2-time battling title winner, Bill Madlock (1972-1974). He won two more batting titles with the Pirates.
Bill Madlock
January 4 Happy Birthday to Cubs pitcher, Ted Lilly (2007-2010).
Ted Lilly
January 4
Happy birthday to former Cubs manager, Herman Franks (1977-1979). His record with the team was 238-241.
January 4 Happy birthday to Kris Bryant. 2015 NL Rookie of the year, 2016 NL MVP and 2016 World Series champion
Kris Bryant
January 4 2005 Ryne Sandberg is elected to the Hall of Fame in his 2nd year of elidgibility
January 5 The birthday of Riggs Stephenson (Cubs, 1926-1934). His career BA with Cubs was .336 and had a .378 avg in 2 WS with Cubs (1929, 1932)
Riggs Stephenson
January 5, 1916 Cubs owner, Charles Murphy sells the Cubs to Charles Weeghman, owner of Chicago Whales of Federal League. William Wrigley Jr becomes a minority owner. The move
see's the Cubs move into what today is known as Wrigley Field.
January 5, 2009 Cubs sign Milton Bradley
January 5, 2012 Cubs trade Carlos Zambrano to the Marlins for Chris Volstadt
January 6, 2010 Congratulations to Andre Dawson on his induction into the Hall of Fame
Andre Dawson
January 6, 2012 Best Cubs trade ever? Cubs trade Andrew Cashner & Kyung Minh Na for Zach Cates & Anthony Rizzo
Anthony Rizzo
January 6 The birthday of Lee Walls (Cubs, 1957-1959)
January 7 Happy birthday to Alfonso Soriano, (Cubs, 2007-2013)
Alfonso Soriano
anuary 7, 2011 Cubs trade Brandon Guyer, Robinson Chorinos, Chris Archer, Hak Ju Lee, Sam Fuld to the Rays for Matt Garza & Zac Rosscup
January 8 Happy birthday to Bruce Sutter
Bruce Sutter
January 8, 1991 Congratulations to Fergie Jenkins who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1991. Rod Carew and Gaylord Perry were elected the same year as Fergie.
Fergie Jenkins
January 8, 2008
Goose Gossage, a Cub for one year (1988) was elected to the Hall on this day in 2008.
January 9 Happy birthday to Ivan Dejesus (Cubs, 1977-1981)
January 10, 2006 Congratulations to Cubs reliever, Bruce Sutter on his induction into the Hall of Fame.
January 10, 2012 Cubs sign Paul Maholm
January 11, 1977 Cubs trade Rick Monday to Dodgers for Bill Buckner and Ivan Dejesus
Bill Buckner
January 11, 1909 Charles Murphy's proposed payment to Cubs players after the 1908 WS victory is approved
January 12 Happy birthday to Dontrelle Willis who was drafted by the Cubs. He was Rookie of the Year with the Marlins.
January 15 1998 Rod Beck signs with the Cubs. Beck will save 50+ games for the 1998 Cubs playoff team.
Rod Beck
Jan 16 1916 William Wrigley Jr becomes minority shareholder in the #Cubs
Jan 17 The birthday of Cubs player and manager, Don Zimmer (1960-1961, 1998-1991)
January 19, 1977 Congratulations to Mr. Cub, Ernie banks on his election to the Hall of Fame
January 19, 1983 Cubs trade Dan Cataline and Vance Lovelace to the Dodgers for Ron Cey. Cey will help lead the Cubs to the 1984 team that was one win short of a World Series
appearance.
January 20 Happy birthday to former Cubs catcher and 2008 Rookie of the Year, Geovany Soto
Geovany Soto
January 21 Happy birthdaty to Cubs pitchers, Mike Krukow (Cubs, 1976-1981) & Dave Smith (Cubs, 1991-1992)
January 23, 2015 A very sad day in Cubs history as Ernie Banks passes away.
Ernie Banks
January 23 Happy birthday to 2 Cubs players who were traded for one another, Jeff Samardzija & Addison Russell
Jeff Samardzija Addison Russell