Lennie Merullo

Merullo playing shortstop


Yesterday, I watched the Cubs-Marlins game on WGN. They were honoring Lennie Merullo, 97, the last surviving member of the 1945 Cubs team-the last to play in a world series. Lennie threw out the first ball, sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and was interviewed by the Cub broadcasters during the 7th inning sharing his memories and telling stories about his teammates.



http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/6/8/5789784/lennie-merullo-steals-the-show-wrigley-field

One of the players Lennie mentioned was Andy Pafko, who, coincidentally was playing for the old Milwaukee Braves in the mid-50s when I adopted that team as my first favorite team. Pafko passed away last year. Another he mentioned was Harry "Peanuts" Lowrie, who retired in the LA area and often played golf with my dad. Through that relationship I got to buy a couple of world series tickets from Lowrie in 1963 and meet him at his house. (It was the 3rd game of the series in which Don Drysdale shut out the Yankees 1-0.)

Lennie lives in the Boston area, where he hails from originally.