Obit_Beckert_Baseball_63320

Former Cubs second baseman Glenn Beckert, left, exchanges greetings with Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry at a Legends of Baseball game in 2007. Beckert, a four-time All-Star second baseman in the 1960s and ’70s, died Sunday at age 79. Joseph Garnett/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File

 

Former Chicago Cubs second baseman Glenn Beckert, a four-time All-Star and member of the 1969 team, died Sunday. He was 79.

Citing his family, the Cubs said he died of natural causes in Florida.

“Glenn Beckert was a wonderful person who also happened to be an excellent ballplayer,” the Cubs said in a statement. “He was a mainstay at second base for the Cubs for nine seasons from 1965-73, earning a spot on four All-Star teams and a reputation for one of the toughest at-bats in the league as evidenced by his low strikeout rate. Glenn more than held his own playing alongside future Hall of Famers and won a Gold Glove for defensive excellence at second base in 1968.

“After his playing days concluded, Glenn was a familiar sight at Wrigley Field and numerous Cubs Conventions, and he always had a memory to share of his time on-and-off the field with his beloved teammates.

“We offer our deepest condolences to Glenn’s daughters, Tracy Seaman and Dana Starck, his longtime partner Marybruce Standley and his many, many friends.”

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Beckert played 11 years in the majors, including nine seasons with the Cubs from 1965-73. He finished with a lifetime average of .283, including a career-high .342 average in 1971.

He was part of a lineup that included four Hall of Famers – first baseman Ernie Banks, third baseman Ron Santo, outfielder Billy Williams and pitcher Ferguson Jenkins.

“Beck was the glue that helped meld together four Hall of Famers,” said Ned Colletti, a former Cubs executive and bleacher bum in a text message. “He was the prototypical second hitter followed by three straight Hall of Fame hitters. He rarely struck out. He could move a runner, played the game the right way.

“Now his buddies Ronnie and Ernie have someone to turn a double play.”

Beckert won a Gold Glove award in 1968 and was selected to the National League All-Star team in 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972.

“When (Beckert) attended fantasy camps, he was into it,” said Ron Coomer, the Cubs radio analyst and former All-Star. “He loved anything that had to do with the Cubs. He was a stitch. He loved talking to the campers and about the ‘69 Cubs.

“He loved giving (former Cubs catcher) Randy Hundley a hard time. He would tell Randy he could tell him everything about catching. But when it came to hitting, he would tell Randy to leave the room. He had a big personality.”

Renowned as a contact hitter and usually batting second behind shortstop Don Kessinger, Beckert finished first in the league in fewest strikeouts per at-bats five times, from 1966-69 and 1972.

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