Lennie Merullo

Background

He was born in East Boston, Massachusetts.

Career

Merullo played shortstop for the for seven years in the major leagues in the 1940s. He appeared in three games during the 1945 World Series against two-time Most Valuable Player Hal Newhouser, pitchers Virgil Trucks, Tommy Bridges, and slugger Hank Greenberg of the Detroit Tigers, who defeated the Cubs in seven games in the Series, the last one the Cubs have played in as of 2014. In 1946, Billy Jurges, Bobby Sturgeon and Merullo shared the shortstop position until Merullo regained the position in 1947.

During this period, Merullo was known to have the quickest throwing arm in baseball.

Merullo"s time with the Cubs caused him, in later years, to be a frequent subject of Chicago columnist Mike Royko"s annual Cub Quiz. In September, 1942, he made baseball history by committing four errors in a single inning.

After retiring from professional baseball, Merullo was chief scout for the Cubs from 1950-1972, signing, among others, relief pitcher Moe Drabowsky. He left the Cubs in 1973 to join the then-fledgling Major League Baseball ing Bureau, where he served until his retirement at the age of 85 in 2003.

On May 30, 2015 in the early morning, Merullo had died, due to complications following a stroke a few weeks prior, aged 98, as announced by the The team did not reveal details pertaining to his death.

Achievements

• Amongst many accolades, Merullo was named to the Hall of Fame of the Cape Cod Baseball League, having led the Barnstable Townies to the old Cape League title in 1935. He was awarded of the Year in 1990, and the prestigious Judge Emil Fuchs Award for long and meritorious service to baseball in 2006.

Membership

With the death of Andy Pafko on October 8, 2013, Merullo was the only living man to have played for the Cubs in a World Series, as well as being the oldest living former member of the Cubs.