In 1963 things started to look up for the formerly slumping Cubs as they finally finished a season with a record over .500. It was their first time with a winning record since 1946. The team appeared to be on their way to better days (which sadly wouldn’t prove to be the case for 1964) and a 27-year-old closer was about to have one heck of a year.
1963 Cubs
Record: 82-80
Standing: 7th in the National League
Manager: Bob Kennedy
The College of Coaches era came to an end in Chicago in 1963, with a single manager taking the helm for the whole year, though he was still called “head coach.