Glenn Alfred Beckert (born October 12, 1940 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a former professional baseball second baseman who played most of his Major League career with the Chicago Cubs.^[1][2]

Beckert was drafted from Allegheny College as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 1962, then selected by Chicago Cubs from Red Sox in the first-year minor league draft.^[3] He spent three years in the minors as a shortstop, where he lead the Pacific Coast League in putouts and assists in 1964.^[4] Following the sudden death of Cubs second baseman, Ken Hubbs in 1964, the Cubs brought Beckert to the major leagues as their second baseman for the 1965 season.^[4]

Beckert played nine seasons as the Cubs' second baseman.^[1] During his entire Cub tenure, he played alongside shortstop Don Kessinger.^[4] Beckert led the National League in assists during his rookie year, and went on to become a four-time All-Star.^[1] He was a tough batter, leading the league five times in fewest strikeouts per at bats.^[4] In 1968, he led the league in runs and won the National League Gold Glove Award for second baseman.^[5][6] He had his best offensive season in 1971 when he had a .342 batting average to finish third in the National League batting championship behind Joe Torre and Ralph Garr.^[7]

After the 1973 season, he was traded along with Bobby Fenwick to the San Diego Padres for Jerry Morales.^[3] Beckert was a utility infielder and pinch hitter with the Padres before being released in April 1975. He is an inductee in the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame.

[edit] See also

• List of Major League Baseball runs scored champions

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• Miracle Collapse: The 1969 Chicago Cubs
• Fans Still Carry the Torch for Also-Ran '69 Cubs, Baseball Digest, June 1993

[edit] References

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