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Glenn Alfred Beckert (October 12, 1940 – April 12, 2020) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a second baseman for the Chicago Cubs for nine seasons from 1965 to 1973, before ending his career with the San Diego Padres in 1975.[1][2] He was a four-time All-Star and a Gold Glove Award winner.
| Glenn Beckert | |
|---|---|
 Beckert in 1973 | |
| Second baseman | |
| Born: October 12, 1940 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| Died: April 12, 2020 (aged 79) Englewood, Florida, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 12, 1965, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| April 27, 1975, for the San Diego Padres | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .283 |
| Home runs | 22 |
| Runs batted in | 360 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Beckert attended Perry Traditional Academy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1958. He was named All-City in baseball and basketball. He attended Allegheny College, where he played college baseball, graduating with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1962.[3]
The Boston Red Sox signed Beckert as an amateur free agent in 1962. He was selected later that year by the Chicago Cubs from the Red Sox in the First-Year Player Draft on November 26.[4] He spent three years in the minors as a shortstop, where he led the Pacific Coast League in putouts and assists in 1964.[5]
Following the sudden death of Cubs second baseman Ken Hubbs in 1964, the Cubs brought Beckert to the major leagues as their second baseman for the 1965 season.[5] Beckert played nine seasons as the Cubs' second baseman.[1] During his entire Cub tenure, he played alongside shortstop Don Kessinger and third baseman Ron Santo.[5] Beckert led the National League in assists during his rookie year.[1] He was a tough batter, leading the league five times in fewest strikeouts per at bats.[5]
In 1968, Beckert led the league in runs scored. He also won the National League's Gold Glove Award for second basemen,[6][7] ending Bill Mazeroski's run of five consecutive Gold Glove Awards. In 1969, he was chosen for his first of four consecutive All-Star Games.[8] He had his best offensive season in 1971 when he hit for a career-high .342 batting average[9] to finish third in the National League batting championship behind Joe Torre and Ralph Garr.[10]
After the 1973 season, the Cubs traded Beckert, along with Bobby Fenwick, to the San Diego Padres for Jerry Morales.[11] Beckert was a utility infielder and pinch hitter with the Padres before being released in May 1975.[12] He is an inductee in the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame.[13]
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In an 11-year career, Beckert played in 1,320 games, accumulating 1,473 hits in 5,208 at bats for a .283 career batting average along with 22 home runs and 360 runs batted in. He posted a .973 career fielding percentage.[1]
Beckert married Mary Marshall, a flight attendant, in November 1967.[3]
Beckert died on April 12, 2020.[14]
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