First fanpost -- Funny story about a former Cub

by DonnyDonovan on Jul 8, 2009 12:12 PM CDT

So, after the Cubs' big win over the Brewers Sunday, I was out for a walk with my 4-year old and dog on a lovely sunny day in Duluth, MN, and wearing my favorite Cubs T-shirt. I was a couple blocks from my house when a 50-ish woman working on her lawn got all excited -- "Hey, you're wearing a Cubs shirt! My Dad played for the Cubs!" She asked if I was a fan. After confirming I was, she proceeded to tell me her Dad, a guy named Bob "shorty" Raudman, played outfield for the Cubs from '61 to '68 before being traded to the Reds. Said he hit behind Ernie Banks. After chatting for a minute or two we ended our brief and pleasant exchange and I moved on. Of course, being the skeptical sort, I did a little research when I got home.

Shorty Raudman

Turns out he was signed in '61, although he only saw time with the parent club in '66 and '67, and only played in 16 games. His rights were traded to Cleveland in '67, and immediately re-traded to Cincy. Despite barely having a cup of coffee in the majors, I thought it was cool that I live two blocks from his daughter and that she's still a Cub fan. So, any long-timers (I went with that rather than "old" timers) remember Shorty Raudman? Any stories? Like I said, very brief stint with the team, but still cool.

I'm a long-time reader and very infrequent poster, but I thought this story was worthy of sharing.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Nice story

thanks for sharing it.

"I lof to hit de home ron!"

by Tekboy on Jul 8, 2009 1:22 PM CDT reply actions

Fellow Minnesotan here.

Ran Grandma’s two weeks ago, third race @ Gma’s overall. Lil’ brother went to UMD, graduated in 2007. You a student there? I’m sure I know somebody you know.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 8, 2009 1:37 PM CDT reply actions

No, I've been out of college for several years (I'm a native Iowan and a U of I grad).

I went to grad school at the U of M, lived in Grand Rapids for a couple years, and somehow ended up in Duluth with my wife and kids. It’s a beautiful place and great for raising a family despite having about three weeks of summer a year. I’ve been a Cub fan for many, many years and also root for the Twins as my AL team. My 4-year old can sing “Go Cubs Go.” I don’t know whether to be proud of that or not. :)

There aren’t a ton of Cub fans up here although there are more than most other teams.

by DonnyDonovan on Jul 8, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Cool story.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on Jul 8, 2009 1:42 PM CDT reply actions

That's a cool story

But I don’t know if I believe it. My brother said he ran into a guy at Dunkin Donuts who said he played for the Cubs and he was the reason they moved Ernie Banks to first, then he suffered some big injury or something. I don’t remember what he said his name was, but I looked him up and he didn’t exist.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 8, 2009 3:34 PM CDT reply actions

I looked him up and he did exist.

I posted the link. She even had her years right, other than she made it sound like he was in the big leagues most of that time when in fact almost all of his career was spent in the minors.

I’m 100% sure her story is legit. No one would make up a story about Robert Joyce “Shorty” Raudman. That wouldn’t make any sense.

by DonnyDonovan on Jul 8, 2009 4:12 PM CDT reply actions

Yes, I believe this story.

How old is this woman? Bob Raudman is 67 years old. His daughter couldn’t be “50ish” — could she be in her early or mid 40’s?

A little research found a Bob J. Raudman living in Arizona. Next time you see her ask her where her dad lives.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jul 8, 2009 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions

She absolutely could have been.

I’m not a very good judge of age.

by DonnyDonovan on Jul 9, 2009 8:09 AM CDT up reply actions

Bob Will

I was looking for tickets a few years ago outside wrigley field and bumped into an old guy outside a ticket broker who said he had a couple of extras. i bought a pair off him and ended up sitting beside him at the game between the visitors dugout and home plate about twenty rows up. it turned out the guy had played for the cubs in the late fifties early sixties. his name was bob will

anyways he turned out to be a really nice guy and has sent me some old pictures and cards from his playing days. i am coming down to chicago in september and going to try and look him up.

by hoppy91 on Jul 8, 2009 5:07 PM CDT reply actions