The switch-hitting Ontiveros spent four years each with the Giants and Cubs but had his only two full seasons with Chicago, batting .299 in 1977 and .285 in 1979. As a third baseman, he had little range and an average throwing arm. In Chicago, he is remembered for doing testimonials for a scalp treament clinic that specialized in re-sodding balding heads. (ARA)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»February 11, 1977: The Cubs trade 3B Bill Madlock, the NL batting champ the past two seasons, and 2B Rod Sperring to the Giants for OF Bobby Murcer, IF Steve Ontiveros, and a minor league pitcher. Madlock leaves Chicago having hit .336 for them, which ties him with Riggs Stephenson for the top Cub career average.
»July 23, 1979: At Wrigley, the Reds and Cubs complete a game suspended on May 10th because the Cubs had to catch a plane. That contest was tied 7-7 after nine innings. Both teams score in the 11th and the Cubs win in the 18th on a run scoring single by Steve Ontiveros. The Cubs then win the regularly scheduled game, 21, with Willie Hernandez getting the victory.
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