The Cubs Win the Pennant!

by John C. Skipper

"On September 29, 1945, Chicago Cubs fireball Paul Erickson threw a curve ball to Tommy O'Brien of the Pittsburgh Pirates with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. O'Brien's knees buckled, as any hitter's knees would when he expects a fastball but gets a curve. O'Brien had reason to be surprised - it was Erickson's first curveball of the game. Some claim it was his first of the year. Strike three, the Cubs won 4-3 and captured the National League championship." "The author interviewed nine surviving members of the 1945 club, including pitchers Erickson, Hank Borowy, Hank Wyse and Claude Passeau, second baseman Don Johnson, shortstop Lenny Merullo, backup catcher Dewey Williams, first baseman Phil Cavaretta, and outfielder Andy Pafko, and includes their recollections of that magical Cubs season."--Jacket.