Phil Cavarretta, who began playing baseball for the Chicago Cubs at age 18, and holds the franchise record for longevity with 20 seasons, died Saturday in Lilburn, Ga. He was 94.
The first baseman and outfielder, who was the National League's Most Valuable Player and led the Cubs to their last World Series appearance in 1945, played his final 77 games for the White Sox.
Cavarretta holds the Cubs' record for single-season batting average by a left-handed hitter at .355 in his MVP season. He ranks in the top 10 in most offensive categories for the Cubs.
Born in Chicago on July19, 1916, he signed with the Cubs before graduating from high school, then was sent to Peoria before being called up to the Cubs to play first base. On Sept. 25, 1934, Cavarretta made his Wrigley Field debut, homering in a 1-0 victory over the Reds.
His grandson, Jeffrey Brown of Lubbock, Texas, told the Associated Press that Cavarretta died in a hospice care center. Brown said Cavarretta suffered a stroke several days earlier.
Brown said Cavarretta is survived by his wife, Loraine, four daughters and one son, among others.
