Wow, I remember his card when I was a kid. Looong time ago.
Pafko was one of the players profiled in Roger Kahn’s book, “The Boys of Summer”.
I only know the name because Bruce Willis’ character in “Cop Out” had an Andy Pafko rookie card as his prized possession. Not much of a sports guy myself, but RIP.
Who was available to play major league baseball in 1945? Almost all able bodied men over 17 years old and under 40 years old were in the military.
The Cubs have been to the World Series?
Handy Andy Pafko — could play just about anywhere on teh field and help the club.
Cubs have the longest championship round appearance drought of the 4 major team sports at 67 seasons now.
The Sacramento Kings are 2nd - their last NBA finals appearance came 62 seasons ago.
The Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Lions are tied for 3rd at 55 seasons.
All others are 45 seasons or less.
RIP.
Historical trivia:
Pafko was the Dodgers' left fielder who watched helplessly as Bobby Thomson's famous pennant winning HR sailed over his head and into the Polo Grounds stands in 1951. He had been obtained by the Dodgers in a trade from the Cubs during that season. Ironically, Pafko and Thomson later became teammates on the Milwaukee Braves. (Thomson himself later played for the Cubs.)
That was my first thought, anyway. Didn't realize they'd been to the World Series since then.