Cubs historical sleuthing: Fergie Jenkins edition

Cubs Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins tweeted out this video earlier today for “Throwback Thursday”:

Fergie is absolutely right — no caption needed for one of his 3,192 career strikeouts.

But when was this K? First, here’s a better look at the video.

There are three clear sleuthing clues in this video. First is the no-belt look on the Cubs uniform. That began in 1972, so this has to be from 1972 or 1973, because it’s clearly a younger Fergie than was back with the club in 1982 and 1983.

Second is the catcher, wearing No. 12. The only Cubs catcher wearing that number in either of those years was J.C. Martin in 1972.

Martin caught only 25 games for the Cubs that year, his final season in the major leagues, all between June 1 and August 12.

The batter is a Philadelphia Phillie, and now that we know it’s ‘72, that has to be Don Money, who played for the Phillies from 1968-72 (and wore No. 16 from 1970-72), then played another 11 years in the majors with the Brewers.

So, when did Fergie start a game at Wrigley against the Phillies in that time frame?

There’s only one — the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday, June 27, 1972. Martin runs off the field after the strikeout, so we know this ended an inning.

Sure enough, Fergie struck out Money to end the top of the fifth inning that afternoon. Money got him back later in the game, smashing a three-run homer in the top of the seventh. But that was all the Phillies scored off Jenkins, who threw a complete game as the Cubs defeated the Phillies 6-3.

This pitcher/batter matchup was, incidentally, the most common in both players’ long careers. Money hit .254/.271/.476 (32-for-126) against Jenkins with six home runs.

Just another little slice of Cubs history. Incidentally, I can’t quite place the announcer’s voice on this clip. It’s clearly not Jack Brickhouse and I don’t think it’s Jim West, either. West shared the booth with Brickhouse from 1970-76. If you recognize the voice, let us know.