Don Kessinger Autographed Photograph

Don Kessinger

Don Kessinger manned the middle of the infield for the Chicago Cubs from 1964-1975. His quality defensive work at shortstop was really what made him stand out as a player, but he made many roles with the Cubs during the decade he spent there. He achieved a series of high accolades both on and off the field during and following his baseball career, and he has certainly earned his place amongst the rest of the great Chicago Cubs ballplayers included on my favorites.

 

Beginning in 1965, Don Kessinger was a full-time player for the Chicago Cubs, and he spent 11 seasons with the team before he was eventually traded to the St. Louis Cardinals after the 1975 season. After spending all of 1976 and part of 1977 there, he was traded again to the Chicago White Sox, where he finished his career by playing out two more seasons, and retiring after 1979. During the '79 season with the White Sox he was the rare player manager, managing for 106 games.

 

His time with the Chicago Cubs though was definitely his best years, and that's where he made his mark. During his 11 years there, he made six All-Star appearances, and he also won two Gold Gloves award for his defensive work at short stop. As mentioned, that's really what made Don Kessinger who he was as a player. In 1969 he teamed with Glenn Beckert, the second basemen, for the double play combination for the Cubs infield, and his work there is really what makes him a favorite of mine.

 

Don Kessinger was by no means a fantastic hitter, finishing with a .252 career batting average, and typically averaging between .250 and .270 for a season. He also had almost no power, hitting for just a handful of homeruns in his entire career. However, what surprises many is how many hits he was able to accumulate over the years. He finished with 1,931 hits and over 250 doubles, as well as 500 RBIs.

 

Kessinger mostly hit in the leadoff position, but unlike many other leadoff hitters he wasn't that speedy either, stealing 100 bases in his entire career. He was consistent at the plate and did what he could to get on base, but didn't stand out there like he did on the field.

 

One of the most notable moments of his proud career came in 1978 when Don Kessinger won the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. The award was created by Gehrig's fraternity from Columbia University, Phi Delta Theta, and was began in 1955 with the intention of honoring the players who best exemplified Gehrig's character and integrity on the field of play and in the rest of their lives as well.

 

It was a fitting closing to the career of Don Kessinger, well liked and respected, and a frequent All-Star participant despite never being spectacular with the bat. His two Gold Gloves really exemplify that, and the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award shows just how highly many people thought of him throughout his career.

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