Ferguson Jenkins
Fergie Jenkins, a Canadian-born professional baseball player, was one of the game's top pitchers in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a hard-throwing right-hander who won at least 20 games in six consecutive seasons with the Chicago Cubs. Jenkins was named the National League's finest pitcher in 1971, earning the Cy Young Award for his 24-13 record, 263 strikeouts, and 2.77 ERA.
Jenkins grew up in Canada, where he excelled at baseball, basketball, and hockey, playing in the country's top amateur hockey league. When he graduated from high school in the early 1960s, he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was formerly a relief pitcher before being converted to a starting pitcher immediately after joining the Chicago Cubs in 1966. The following year, he was one of the Cubs' top pitchers, becoming the first in six years to win 20 or more games per season.
Jenkins pitched for the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox from 1974 to 1981, winning 115 games and losing 93. In 1982, he returned to the Cubs and threw for two more seasons before retiring. Jenkins is the only pitcher with over 3,000 strikeouts and fewer than 1,000 walks. Jenkins was one of the top pitchers of his era, with Bob Gibson and Tom Seaver. He concluded his career with 284 wins, 226 losses, and an ERA of 3.34. His 3,192 strikeouts rank him tenth among all-time leaders. In 1991, he became the first Canadian inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Jenkins grew up in Canada, where he excelled at baseball, basketball, and hockey, playing in the country's top amateur hockey league. When he graduated from high school in the early 1960s, he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was formerly a relief pitcher before being converted to a starting pitcher immediately after joining the Chicago Cubs in 1966. The following year, he was one of the Cubs' top pitchers, becoming the first in six years to win 20 or more games per season.
Jenkins pitched for the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox from 1974 to 1981, winning 115 games and losing 93. In 1982, he returned to the Cubs and threw for two more seasons before retiring. Jenkins is the only pitcher with over 3,000 strikeouts and fewer than 1,000 walks. Jenkins was one of the top pitchers of his era, with Bob Gibson and Tom Seaver. He concluded his career with 284 wins, 226 losses, and an ERA of 3.34. His 3,192 strikeouts rank him tenth among all-time leaders. In 1991, he became the first Canadian inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
