Bleed Cubbie Blue · Apr 30, 2020
Cubs unsung heroes: Alan Benes, August 27, 2002
Photo by Jonathan Daniel /Getty ImagesAndy Benes was a solid rotation starter for 14 years in the major leagues, mostly with the Padres and Cardinals. San Diego had made him their No. 1 pick in 1988.
Five years later, Andy’s younger brother Alan Benes was selected in the first round (16th overall) by the Cardinals. In doing so they passed on Torii Hunter and Jason Varitek, among others.
Alan Benes pitched briefly for the Cardinals from 1995-97, posting a 3.5 bWAR season in ‘97, then suffered shoulder injuries that kept him out almost two years. He was 30 when the Cubs signed him as a free agent in January 2002, another “lightning in a bottle” attempt.