Books and articles about Don Elston

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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)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » December 9, 1955: The Dodgers send P Russ Meyer to the Cubs for P Don Elston and cash. Meyer has the best record in history against the Cubs, at one point going 22-1 against them. » July 6, 1958: Cubs pitchers Dick Drott and Don Elston combine on a 1-hit, 6-2 win over the Dodgers. Jim Gilliam's' single in the seventh is the only Los Angeles safety. » September 9, 1958: The Cardinals beat the Cubs, 8–7, with Jim Brosnan earning the win over his old team. Don Elston takes the loss. Ernie Banks hits his 1st home run in St. Louis in two years while Eddie Kasko cracks a grand slam. » April 24, 1960: George Altman of the Cubs earns a "3-ball walk," as umpire Ken Burkhart accidentally counts a balk as a ball in Chicago's game against the Giants. The Cubs add some offense and win, 9–4, behind Don Elston. Billy Loes loses. » August 8, 1963: In the 5th inning, Frank Howard and Moose Skowron pinch-hit back-to-back home runs for the Dodgers, only the 2nd time this has ever occurred. Cub pitchers Bob Buhl and Don Elston are the victims. But the Cubs hold on to win 5–4 at Wrigley. » August 23, 1964: Mets pitcher Willard Hunter picks up half his career wins (4) today as New York sweeps the Cubs, 2–1, in 10 innings, and 5–4 in the nitecap. No one has ever won a pair more efficiently as he totals one 2/3 innings of work. Bob Buhl and Don Elston pick up losses. The Cubs lose Ernie Broglio, who woke up with a locked elbow and will need surgery to repair the ulnar lateral ligament damage in his elbow. He'll be 1–6 in 1965.