Cubs first baseman Frank Schwindel named National League Player of the Week

If I had told you, before the 2021 season started, that in September you’d see that headline on this site, you would have... well, to be charitable, let’s just say that you wouldn’t have believed me.

But here we are, and Frank Schwindel, who has captured the imagination of many Cubs fans over the last few weeks, was named National League Player of the Week for his great performance against the Twins and Pirates. (And this doesn’t even include his game-winning hit Monday against the Reds!)

Over the six games the Cubs played from August 31 - September 5, Schwindel hit .462/.500/1.038 (1.538 OPS). He went 12-for-26 with five home runs, seven runs scored and 12 RBI. Yes, I get it, the Twins and Pirates aren’t very good. Still, you have to produce when given the chance and he did.

Frank also homered in three consecutive games twice: August 29 - September 1 and September 3 - 5. In so doing he joined Anthony Rizzo (2017, 2019), Alfonso Soriano (2007), Aramis Ramirez (2005), Moises Alou (2004) and Sammy Sosa (2000-2002) as the only Cubs players since 2000 to record multiple three-game homer streaks in the same season.

This is the third Cubs NL Player of the Week honor for this year. Patrick Wisdom won it for the week of May 31 - June 6 for hitting .435 (10–23) with six home runs, seven runs, nine RBI and a 1.719 OPS.

The award also went to a Cub for the week of April 26 - May 2, for a performance of a .417 BA (10–24) with four home runs, six runs, 10 RBI and a 1.542 OPS. That winner was some guy named Kris Bryant. Perhaps you’ve heard of him.