Part V – The Mount Rushmore of … Cubs/Royals

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Private First Class Garfield M. Langhorn (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on January 15, 1969, at Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Langhorn distinguished himself while serving as a radio operator with Troop C, near Plei Djereng in Pleiku province. Pfc. Langhorn's platoon was inserted into a landing zone to rescue 2 pilots of a Cobra helicopter shot down by enemy fire on a heavily timbered slope. He provided radio coordination with the command-and-control aircraft overhead while the troops hacked their way through dense undergrowth to the wreckage, where both aviators were found dead. As the men were taking the bodies to a pickup site, they suddenly came under intense fire from North Vietnamese soldiers in camouflaged bunkers to the front and right flank, and within minutes they were surrounded. Pfc. Langhorn immediately radioed for help from the orbiting gunships, which began to place minigun and rocket fire on the aggressors. He then lay between the platoon leader and another man, operating the radio and providing covering fire for the wounded who had been moved to the center of the small perimeter. Darkness soon fell, making it impossible for the gunships to give accurate support, and the aggressors began to probe the perimeter. An enemy hand grenade landed in front of Pfc. Langhorn and a few feet from personnel who had become casualties. Choosing to protect these wounded, he unhesitatingly threw himself on the grenade, scooped it beneath his body and absorbed the blast. By sacrificing himself, he saved the lives of his comrades. Pfc. Langhorn's extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Surgeon Cary DeVall Langhorne (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 22, 1914, during the engagement of Vera Cruz. His citation reads:

For extraordinary heroism in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914. Surg. Langhorne carried a wounded man from the front of the Naval Academy while under heavy fire.

Landsman John S. Lann (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on March 5 and 6, on board the USS Magnolia. His citation reads:

As landsman on board the U.S.S. Magnolia, St. Marks, Fla., 5 and 6 March, Lann served with the Army in charge of Navy howitzers during the attack on St. Marks and throughout this fierce engagement made remarkable efforts in ass1sting transport of the gun. His coolness and determination in standing by his gun while under the fire of the enemy were a credit to the service to which he belonged.


Thanks to Wikipedia for the info…

The Mount Rushmore of the Chicago Cubs

Ernie Banks – Two words… Mr. Cub. That’s it. That’s the list. Let me be very clear here… While the next guy on this list is my favorite player of all-time (the guy I grew up cheering for), Ernie Banks is the greatest of all Cubs players… by a long shot. Banks played for the Cubs from 1953 – 1971 (first as a Shortstop and later as a First baseman). He was a 14 time All-Star (1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959 [twice], 1960 [twice], 1961, 1962 [twice], 1965, 1967, 1969) and a Gold Glove Award winner in 1960. He also won the NL MVP award in 1958 and 1959. Ernie ended his career with 512 Home runs, 2,583 Hits and 1,636 RBIs. In 1977, Ernie Banks was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. His #14 was the first number retired by the Cubs (in 1982).

Ryne Sandberg – Ryno played for the Cubs from 1982 – 1994 and again from 1996 – 1997. He was a ten time All-Star selection (1984 – 1993). He won the NL MVP in 1984. Sandberg was a 9 time Gold Glove award winner (1983 – 1991) and a 7 time Silver Slugger Award winner (1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992). During his playing days, he set a MLB record with 277 home runs as a second baseman (as well as playing 123 straight games at second base without an error). He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005… the same year his #23 was retired by the Cubs.

Ron Santo – Ron Santo played for the Cubs from 1960 – 1973. He was a 9 time All-Star (1963 – 1966 and 1968 – 1973) as well as a 5 time Gold Glove Award winner (1964 – 1968). His #10 was retired by the Cubs in 2003 and Santo was (finally) inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.

Ferguson Jenkins – Fergie played for the Cubs from 1966 – 1973 and 1982 – 1983. He was a 3 time All-Star (1967, 1971, 1972) and the 1971 NL Cy Young Award winner. He won 284 games, striking out 3, 192 batters. His #31 was retired by the Cubs in 2009. Jenkins was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.

Honorable Mention: Mark Grace, Billy Williams, Andre Dawson, Rick Sutcliffe.


The Mount Rushmore of the Kansas City Royals

George Brett – George Brett played for the Royals from 1973 – 1993. He was a 13 time All-Star (1976 – 1988). His Royals won the World Series in 1985 (the same year he won a Gold Glove Award). He was the AL batting champion in 1976, 1980 and 1990. George won the Silver Slugger Award 3 times (1980, 1985, 1988). He ended his career with 3,154 hits, 317 home runs and a batting average of .305. The Royals retired his #5 in 1994. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Frank White – Frank played for the Royals from 1973 – 1990. He was a 5 time All-Star (1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1986) and a World Series champion (1985). He won 8 Gold Gloves (1977 – 1982, 1986-1987) and a Silver Slugger Award (1986). His #20 was retired by the Royals in 1995.

Willie Wilson – Willie played for the Royals from 1976 – 1990 where he was a 2 time All-Star (1982, 1983) and a World Series champion in 1985. He was a Gold Glove Award winner (1980) and a 2 time Silver Slugger Award winner (1980, 1982).

Hal McRae - Hal played for the Royals from 1973 – 1987 where he was a 3 time All-Star (1975, 1976, 1982) and a World Series champion (1985). Hal won the AL RBI champion (1982) as well as the Silver Slugger Award winner (1982). He ended his career with 1,097 RBIs.


Remember to check out Sonny’Side to see if he picked the right guys…

Coming Sunday – The Cardinals and Mariners…


Due to some technical difficulties, we won’t have our regular Flashback Friday segment today. We hope to have it back up and running next Friday.