R.I.P. Scott Sanderson

In the days before the Theo Epstein-lead Cubs revival, playoff appearances were a rare treat on the North Side of Chicago.  Much was made of the 108-year World Series win drought, but in that same time there was a 39-year long streak of not even making the postseason, from 1945-84.  Even after that, October baseball in Wrigley Field only happened about twice every decade, more or less.  As such, we Chicagoans held our Divisional winning and Wild Card earning squads on high esteem, much like most, more successful franchises do for their World Champions.  After all, we had to take what we could get.

When I was a kid, I used to take the cards out of my binders which featured players from these notable rosters and stack them accordingly - 1984, 1989, 1998, 2003, 2007, 2008 - and marvel at their glory.  With fall cameos occurring so infrequently, there was rarely much crossover between these piles of postseason Cubs.  In fact, until the Theo Era, Kerry Wood was the only player in the history of the franchise to see action in four different playoff years.  With that in mind, anyone who was lucky enough to appear for more than one was a truly special Cub, in my eyes.

Scott Sanderson was one of those special guys.  Sadly, last night we learned that the workhorse starter had passed away, suddenly and of undisclosed causes, at the far too young age of 62.

 The wear on these cards from my childhood collection suggests they might have been involved in this stacking.

Sanderson played a key role for two of the most well-loved Cubs teams in the sprawling history of the Chicago National League Ballclub - the 1984 Cubbies, that broke the long postseason drought and came within one game of the World Series, and the 1989 "Boys of Zimmer," who came out of nowhere to thrill fans with a roster full of young guys who played way above their head but didn't know any better.  For both teams, Scott was an unsung hero and took to the mound every fifth day as the fourth starter in the Cubs pitching rotation.  He was particularly effective during the '84 season, as he twirled to the tune of an 8-5 record with a 3.14 ERA in 24 starts.

All told, Mr. Sanderson spent six total years on the North Side of Chicago - bookended by those playoff appearances - posting a compiled record of 42-42 with a 3.81 ERA.  Mediocre, maybe, but serviceable and reliable.  The "Lovable Losers" could certainly count on Scott to put them in a position to win whenever he got the ball.

However, it wasn't just those years in Cubbie Blue which endeared him to the Windy City sporting faithful.  While Scott was born in Michigan, he came of age in Chicago and starred in the prep ranks for Glenbrook North High School in suburban Northbrook.  In fact, he first made himself known to the city as a key member of the 1974 Glenbrook North state-champion baseball team.  After being drafted in the third round of the 1977 draft, it took Sanderson only 28 minor league appearances before making his Big League debut with the Montreal Expos.  A few years later, the local product made his grand return to the Second City after a three-team trade with the Padres.

We sports fans sure do love when the prodigal sons return.

And if that wasn't enough Chi-Town for you, Scott also made a one-year cameo appearance with the White Sox and should've made the playoffs with the South Siders too.  Unfortunately, the single season he played with the Palehose, just so happened to be the strike-shortened 1994 campaign.  When the lockout officially began, Sanderson's Sox were sitting pretty with 67-46 record with an AL Central crown in their future.  Of course, sadly, that would never come to pass.

In the end, Sanderson also spent some time with the Yankees (where he made the All-Star team in 1990), Athletics, Giants, and wrapped up his 19-year career with the Angels.  It was during this time with the Halos that he encountered an young, aspiring coach by the name of Joe Maddon, who upon learning of Scott's passing, commented that he was “thoughtful, kind. Just a wonderful man.”

After he finally hung up his cleats upon the conclusion of the 1996 season, Sanderson returned to the Chicagoland are, settling down in nearby Lake Forest.  From there, he stayed involved in the game he so loved, operating as a player agent.  Such notable names as Josh Beckett, Todd Helton, Josh Hamilton, and Lance Berkman employed his services, as did former Sox teammate, Frank Thomas.  As you can see, the connections between Scott and Chicago are plentiful.

We're going to miss Scott Sanderson here in the "town that Billy Sunday could not shut down."  At this point, all I can say is R.I.P. to a Chicago sporting legend, a Cubs and Sox fan-favorite, and a truly special player in the early years of my fandom.  You'll always have a place in my special stacks.

We are saddened by the passing of former #Cubs pitcher Scott Sanderson and share our deepest condolences with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/OcOFdMJijx

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 11, 2019