Books and articles about Lennie Merullo

Merullo was a wartime shortstop who did his battling on the diamond. In 1946 he tangled with Eddie Stanky of the Dodgers during a game and the next day accepted a challenge from Dixie Walker before the game in a fight unusually serious by baseball standards. After his playing career he spent 25 years as the Cubs' chief scout. He nicknamed his son Boots because, the day the boy was born, Lennie made four errors. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 27, 1901: 3B Jimmy Burke of Milwaukee makes four errors in the 4th inning, a major-league record tied by Cleveland’s Ray Chapman in 1914 and the Cubs Len Merullo in 1942. The A's score seven times in the frame and Eddie Plank coasts home with an 8-3 win. » 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. » September 13, 1942: Chicago Cub SS Lennie Merullo makes a ML record 4 errors in the 2nd inning of the nightcap against the Boston Braves. Merullo's son is born today and is named Boots. The Cubs win 12-8 after losing the first game 10-6. » May 22, 1946: With the score tied 1–1 in the 10th inning at Ebbets Field, Cubs SS Len Merullo and Dodger 2B Eddie Stanky start punching each other, precipitating a brawl between the two teams. Claude Passeau rips off Leo Durocher's jersey before calm is restored. The Dodgers win 2–1 in 13 innings, collecting 11 hits off Johnny Schmidt, who goes the distance. Joe Hatten gives up four hits in 12 innings, with Kirby Higbe pitching the last round. » May 11, 1947: The Cubs take over undisputed possession of first place sweeping a pair from the Reds, 6–3 and 4–3 in 10 innings. Bob Scheffing drives in four runs in the opener and Len Merullo's double in the 10th wins the nitecap. » August 8, 1947: At Wrigley Field, Bill Nicholson breaks up a pitching duel between Johnny Schmitz and Ewell Blackwell with an 11th inning solo homer. The Cubs whip the Reds, 2–1. Nicholson also scores the Cubs first run, an unearned tally. Chicago helps Schmitz out with a 7th inning triple play when Len Merullo snags a liner, steps on 2B, and fires to Eddie Waitkus.