Books and articles about Clyde McCullough

Though he was platooned for much of his career, the rugged, strong-armed McCullough was considered a top defensive catcher, and is reputed to have been the last catcher to play without a chest protector. Though he had only five home runs in 1942, he hit three in a row on July 26, all solo shots, as his Cubs lost to the Phillies 4-3. Following two years in the Navy, he returned to the Cubs just in time to pinch hit in the final game of the 1945 World Series, one of only two players ever to appear in a WS game without a regular-season appearance. After batting .209 in 1948, he was swapped to the Pirates, where he hit .297 in 1951 for a career high. Returned to the Cubs two years later, he caught Sam Jones's no-hitter against the Pirates on May 12, 1955. It was the first no-hitter by a black pitcher, and the first in Wrigley Field in 38 years. McCullough coached one season each for the Senators, Twins, Mets, and Padres, and managed and instructed in the Mets' farm system. (ARA)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » July 26, 1942: Clyde McCullough hits three consecutive HRs, but the Chicago Cubs lose 4-3 to Philadelphia Phillies. » August 22, 1942: Cubs catcher Clyde McCullough, SS Lennie Merullo, and 1B Phil Cavarretta combine on a triple play in the top of the 11th, and Bill Nicholson home runs in the bottom half of the inning, as the Chicago Cubs stun the Cincinnati Reds, 5–4. » December 8, 1948: Pittsburgh trades 2B Frankie Gustine and P Cal McLish to the Cubs for P Cliff Chambers and C Clyde McCullough. » August 19, 1950: The Pirates outslug the Cubs, 13–9, for their sixth win in seven games. Ralph Kiner slugs two homers to put him seven days and nine games ahead of last year, when he hit 54. He has rapped eight this month and four in the last five games. Clyde McCullough adds a bases loaded triple, sac fly, and two-run double, while Johnny Hopp homers. The Cubs answer with homers by Hank Sauer, Mickey Owen, and Roy Smalley, but its not enough. Reliever Bob Rush loses to Murry Dickson. » August 27, 1951: "The two fine Italian arms of Branca and Furillo had a no-hitter running for eight innings" writes columnist Dick Young; in the 3rd inning Ralph Branca's no-hitter seems broken by a one-hop shot to RF by pitcher Mel Queen, but Carl Furillo guns him out at first. Branca, pitching on two days rest, finally gives up two Pirate hits in the 9th before winning, 5–0. In the nitecap the Pirates jump on Erv Palica for three runs in the first inning and hold on for a 5–3 win behind Bill Werle and Vern Law. Clyde McCullough is the "Big Un" with a two-run double and a two-run homer. The Pirates continue to be the only team with a season edge on the Dodgers.