Hall of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins will get a statue outside of Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs announced Tuesday, becoming the fifth player to be honored with a sculpture outside the stadium.
The statue could be unveiled sometime in 2022.
“It just brings a smile to your face, knowing that you’re going to be immortal with a statue,” the 78-year-old Jenkins said. “I’m looking forward to it. It should be a great day.”
Jenkins’ will join sculptures of Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Ron Santo and Billy Williams as well as legendary broadcaster Harry Caray.
Jenkins pitched 10 of his Major League seasons with the Cubs over two stints spanning three decades. Jenkins is the Cubs’ all-time leader in starts (347) and strikeouts (2,038), and ranks third all-time in innings (2,673 2/3) and fourth in shutouts (29).
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“I had a pretty good career with the Cubs,” Jenkins said. “Ten years of pitching and having fun with the players [like] Ernie, Ronny and Billy.”
He went 167-132 with the Cubs and finished 284-226 overall with 3,192 strikeouts. The 1971 Cy Young winner and three-time All Star was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991. His No. 31 was also retired by the Cubs.
Jenkins debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1965 and also pitched for the Texas Rangers (1974-75, 1978-81) and Boston Red Sox (1976-77).
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–Field Level Media