Cubs legend shares story of Frank Sinatra managing Cubs in spring training
By Scott Rogust
Chicago Cubs legend Fergie Jenkins shared an awesome story on Twitter about how singer Frank Sinatra got to manage the team in a spring training game.
Cubs fans are smart and know the franchise has had a long history of some great and some not-so-great managers. But did you know Frank Sinatra was one of them?
Yes, seriously Old Blue Eyes was unofficially a manager for the Cubs for a pair of innings in a spring training game back in the day.
Fergie Jenkins, former Cubs Cy Young winner and Hall of Famer, detailed a story about how the team was managed by singer Sinatra for two innings in a spring training game in 1968!
You want stories? Cubs Spring Training Game in 1968 Middle of an inning, Frank Sinatra & entourage come walking onto the field from an outfield door, Umpires stop the game immediately, Leo Durocher waves Sinatra into the Cub dugout, and Sinatra managed for 2 innings. #chairman pic.twitter.com/OCSdn8Wk4n
— Fergie Jenkins (@fergieajenkins) April 9, 2022
Is this not the most random and coolest story you’ve ever heard?!
And yes, that’s Jackie Kennedy and his right-hand man Jilly Rizzo in the picture with him.
Did you know Frank Sinatra once managed the Cubs? Fergie Jenkins shared the secret
As Jenkins writes in his tweet, Sinatra and his entourage walked onto the field during a game that caused the umpires to pause play. Then, manager Leo Durocher called Sinatra into the dugout and became the team’s skipper for a couple of innings.
So there you have it, “the Chairman of the Board” was managing the Cubs during an exhibition game.
Who knew?