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This Week in Cubs History: Hack Wilson Assaults Heckler, Incites Riot

In today’s edition of This Week in Cubs History, we move from the field to the seats, which is exactly what Lewis Robert “Hack” Wilson did 90 years ago.

Wilson, who was unique in terms of both his stature (5-foot-6 and 190 pounds with an 18-inch neck) and his power (some compared him to Babe Ruth), began his career with the New York Giants in 1923. After inconsistent performance and a trip to their minor league affiliate in Toledo, the Giants placed Wilson on waivers. He was picked up by the Cubs in 1925 and quickly became a fan favorite in Chicago.