The 1969 Cubs had a shelf life, as all good rosters do. The great Ernie Banks’ career was in the books by the end of the 1971 season. Lefty Ken Holtzman was traded after that same campaign, and fellow starting pitcher Bill Hands after the next one.
But in the dust-settling of the 1973 campaign, the ’69 Cubs became ghosts. Ace Fergie Jenkins, infielders Ron Santo and Glenn Beckert and catcher Randy Hundley all were dealt. By this point, star right fielder Billy Williams had developed a sad, almost maudlin tradition — a teammate countdown — with shortstop Don Kessinger.