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Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Cubs’ World Series champ Dexter Fowler retires

“It’s here. I’m hanging up my cleats,” Fowler wrote. “From an 18-year-old draft pick in Colorado to a “vet” in Anaheim—there are a few things I will never forget ... Getting THAT call to the big leagues in September 2008. Wow. My world was spinning. My first ‘you’ve been traded to Houston’ heart pounding call.

“The feeling of bliss while hearing the words ‘All-Star’. Never knew what it felt like t be that guy! Forever grateful. Soaking wet and freezing on the field with tears in my eyes after winning the World Series in Chicago. The comfort of calling St Louis home and being a Red Bird. Today is one of those moments metaphorically step down from your throne with a standing ovation, tip of the cap, and the world stops spinning. I’m mostly proud to lok back at my career knowing that I played the game the right way and did my best to make a positive impact beyond the win.

“Denver, Houston, Chicago, St Louis and Anaheim ... My family, friends, teammates, and staff. Than you for 14 years. I gave you me all.

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: January 31, 2023 at 10:49 AM | 15 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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1. Starring Bradley Scotchman as RMc Posted: January 31, 2023 at 01:35 PM (#6115279)

Cubs’ World Series champ Dexter Fowler

Fun fact: before 2016, the last person to fit the description "Cubs’ World Series champ" was Ed Reulbach, who died in 1961 -- on the same day as Ty Cobb.

2. What did Billy Ripken have against ElRoy Face? Posted: January 31, 2023 at 02:24 PM (#6115291)

Congratulations to Fowler on a great career. Loved having him in Wrigley. The spin as he rounded first base after his leadoff homer in Game 7...pure joy. My other biggest memory of him is his teammates celebrating in spring training after he unexpectedly re-signed after everyone thought he was going to Baltimore. He was a popular guy.

3. Walt Davis Posted: January 31, 2023 at 02:26 PM (#6115292)

Thanks Dexter. I don't think we could have done it without you. It was only a couple of seasons but you might have been the best Cubs' leadoff hitter I've ever seen. We are so lucky you ended up coming back for 2016.

4. What did Billy Ripken have against ElRoy Face? Posted: January 31, 2023 at 02:28 PM (#6115293)

He really was about the perfect player for that role on that team.

5. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: January 31, 2023 at 03:17 PM (#6115304)

Great Cub. Always had a card that worked in APBA. Congrats to Dex on a nice career.

6. alilisd Posted: January 31, 2023 at 04:49 PM (#6115326)

That's a really nice retirement speech, and a very nice career as well.

7. Walt Davis Posted: January 31, 2023 at 06:29 PM (#6115344)

sOPS+ (relative to league leadoff hitters) and OBP (raw) for leadoff hitters in selected years of my Cub fandom:

1971 93 323
1976 140 341 (Monday and the best PA of Joe Wallis's career)
1981 56 278
1986 93 319
1991 72 303
1996 107 356 (McRae)
2001 96 330
2006 88 329
2011 119 367 (half Castro, half Fukudome)
2016 115 381
2021 107 343

OK, that's not nearly so bad as I expected (stupid facts!) Looks like the Cubs started taking it seriously sometime in the mid-90s. I'd forgotten about Fukudome ever being leadoff -- good role for him -- and I didn't remember McRae getting on that often but he was quite good with the Cubs. Monda I figured would top Fowler but I didn't trust my memory as to how often he hit leadoff (they were some pretty sorry lineups by the time he got there).

Still, in that sample, nobody touches Dexter's 381 OBP.

8. Brian C Posted: January 31, 2023 at 10:25 PM (#6115353)

One of those guys that seemed well-liked and respected everywhere he went, but left probably his longest lasting mark with the Cubs. Wasn't there long, but there's not a Cubs fan who has anything but happy memories of him. And because he left before things turned bad, I think he's destined to be a kind of mascot for that 2016 team - the memories of the other core guys are a little more complex, and I think Fowler more than anyone brings to mind all the warm fuzzies of how magical that year was.

9. Moses Taylor loves a good maim Posted: January 31, 2023 at 10:42 PM (#6115355)

Hard to find a guy that beloved here who played here this briefly. And that's with going straight to the cards as a FA. Maybe not just in Chicago, anywhere even.

Edit: ugh, I can't clean this thought up properly. Oh well.

10. Moses Taylor loves a good maim Posted: January 31, 2023 at 10:43 PM (#6115356)

OK, that's not nearly so bad as I expected (stupid facts!) Looks like the Cubs started taking it seriously sometime in the mid-90s. I'd forgotten about Fukudome ever being leadoff -- good role for him -- and I didn't remember McRae getting on that often but he was quite good with the Cubs. Monda I figured would top Fowler but I didn't trust my memory as to how often he hit leadoff (they were some pretty sorry lineups by the time he got there

What about the 2004 cubs?

11. God can’t be all that impressed with Charles S. Posted: February 01, 2023 at 10:17 AM (#6115377)

And that's with going straight to the cards as a FA.

That enhanced his rep among Cubs fans. He took their money and played like crap for them. Good luck with the next step, Dexter. Hope you find your way back to Chicago and a coach, a vice president of hand shakes and back-slapping or whatever. You'll always have a place in my heart.

12. Itchy Row Posted: February 01, 2023 at 10:55 AM (#6115386)

And that's with going straight to the cards as a FA.

That enhanced his rep among Cubs fans. He took their money and played like crap for them.

"The Reverse J-Hey"

Yeh-J, I guess.

13. Walt Davis Posted: February 01, 2023 at 01:34 PM (#6115402)

What about the 2004 cubs?

They got a 269/329/464, 137 sOPS+ out of the leadoff slot. About 40% Todd Walker (370 OBP), 40% Patterson (317) and a chunk of Grudz (314). And 67 PA from good ol' Jose Macias (284).

14. The Duke Posted: February 01, 2023 at 01:41 PM (#6115405)

Sexy Dexy earned $115 million for a 19.4 bWAR baseball career, good for almost $6 million a win. Seems fair.

He was a steal of a deal or in the least reasonably priced… for everyone aside from the Cardinals who paid over $80 Million for less than 2 WAR.

The cardinal part of his career was a disaster with Mozeliak inexplicably calling him out for being lazy.

“... I’ve also had a lot of people come up to me and question his effort and his energy level. You know, those are things that I can’t defend.”

”What I can defend is trying to create opportunities for him, but not if it’s at the expense of someone who’s out there hustling and playing hard.”

15. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: February 01, 2023 at 06:24 PM (#6115441)

Fowler will be joining Marquee Sports as an analyst this season.

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Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Cubs’ World Series champ Dexter Fowler retires

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