Hard-throwing Elston started 14 games for the Cubs in 1957 but switched to relief
and became one of the NL's best. In 1958 he set a Cub record (since broken) with
a league-leading 69 appearances. The following year, he and bullpen mate
Bill Henry
tied for the appearance lead with 65. Elston was picked for the 1959 NL All-Star
team. In the eight seasons he relieved, Elston saved 63 games for Cub teams that
seldom won very many games. "The most important asset of a reliever is his temperament,"
he said. "I wasn't too crazy about the term `ice water in his veins,' but that is
a good description."
(MC)