Lennie Merullo, an infielder who played seven seasons with the Cubs from 1941-47, died Saturday at the age of 98. He passed away due to complications from a stroke, his son Rick confirmed to Richard Goldstein of the New York Times.
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts released the following statement:
"We were saddened to hear the news our oldest living Cub Lennie Merullo passed away earlier today. While I have experienced many joys as owner of this great franchise, one of the most memorable was meeting Lennie last season. When the Cubs last appeared in a World Series in 1945, Lennie was a 28-year-old shortstop. Nearly 70 years later, he brought the same youthful spirit and excitement, as he threw out the first pitch and led the entire ballpark in singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame'" joined by family and friends. If there was any doubt Wrigley Field does make dreams come true, you could look into Lennie's eyes beaming with joy as he visited his beloved ballpark for what would be the last time. He told everyone he would never forget that day. To his family, friends and loved ones, our organization will never forget him."
Merullo was more than just the old living Cub. He was the last living person to have played for the Cubs in the World Series, according to Goldstein. Merullo was part of the team's 1945 pennant winning club, which lost to the Tigers in the Fall Classic.
Here's some more on Merullo's career from Goldstein:
He spent seven seasons as a Cubs infielder, playing mostly during the World War II years when many front-line ballplayers were in military service, and was never an All-Star ... Merullo was deferred from military service because of color blindness.
...
Merullo was especially remembered in his playing days for his misadventures in the second game of a doubleheader on Sept. 13, 1942, when he committed four errors in a single inning against the Braves in Boston.
A native of Boston, he was keyed up that day because his wife, Jean, had given birth to their first child, Len Jr., at a nearby hospital.
“The baby was born in the morning,” Merullo recalled in an interview in the late 1970s. “Well, naturally, you’re not as sharp as you should be, but still you should be all excited and have a pretty good day. I did just the opposite.”
Merullo was born in May 1917 and is survived by his wife Jean, their four sons, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Our condolences go out to Merullo's family and friends.
The Cubs last won the pennant in that 1945 season. They haven't won the World Series since 1908.
