The Gracies, the Tuffys & the Neifis - Week 1

Every Friday, we'll be highlighting one of the many ex-Cubs in MLB history. It may be a great player, a fan favorite or even a Cubs bust. So essentially, the good, the bad or the ugly. Or in Cubs terms, the Gracie, the Tuffy or the Neifi...


Today's player: Luis Salazar

The second best Cubs' third baseman to ever wear #10, Salazar only played three and a half seasons in Cubbie Blue. He was acquired in a waiver wire deal in 1989, along with Marvell Wynne in order to replace the Cubs struggling third basemen (Vance Law and Domingo Ramos) for the playoffs. The Cubs sent Darrin Jackson, Calvin Schiraldi and Phil Stephenson to San Diego to complete the deal.

That September, in his first month as a Cub, Salazar played solidly. He hit .325 with 12 RBIs and a .357 OBP, as well as playing a near flawless third base. The Cubs went on to win the National League East, thanks in some part to Salazar's rejuvenation of the offense, at least that's how I remember it.

Salazar was a jack of all trades, playing every position except catcher in his career. In his next three years as a Cub, Salazar hit .243 with 31 HRs and and 110 RBIs, nothing to get excited about. But in his defense, the Cubs weren't anything to get excited about either from 1990 to 1992 winning 77, 77 and 78 games in those three years. These days, Salazar is the hitting coach for the Chattanooga Lookouts.

So in conclusion, as much as I loved Luis Salazar, he is considered a Tuffy, a Cubs player with some memorable moments, but a less than solid player nonetheless. Here's to Luis Salazar and that incredible mustache.