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All Cubs team 1965–2020
After the 2016 season, I put together my all Cubs team from 1965–2016. Part of the criterion I used was the players chosen had to have a three-year body of work to be included on the team. I figured by now, members of that 2016 would have progressed and would be on a revised all team by now. Unfortunately, most regressed rather than progressed. Still, playing on a team that brought a 108-year-old championship drought does pull some extra weight. With that in mind, here goes:
Catcher: Willson Contreras Willson swings a good bat, is versatile, and is a plus defender. In six seasons in Chicago, Willson has been named to the All-Star team twice. Contreras seems to wear down as the season goes on so he may need more relief behind the plate. Willson looks to have a number of more all-star selections ahead of him. Before the appearance of Contreras, the Cubs' top two catchers from the mid-60s forward were Randy Hundley and Jody Davis. Davis put together some nice seasons for the Cubs from 1982–1987. He maxed out in 1986 with a WAR of 4.0. That year he 21 homers and drove in 71 runs. Jody also did a nice job defensively. Hundley was a great defensive catcher and a fine handler of pitchers. He also swung a decent bat until excessive playing time wore him out. From 1966–69 he caught in 149,152, 160 and 151 games. Randy is a cautionary tale of a catcher being run into the ground. Randy merits honorary mention here.
