(N)opening Day-- Part 5: Some Famous Names like Gibson, Jenkins, Williams, Banks Santo and LaRussa, a Walk-Off Home Run and a Walk Off-Walk Off

Some More Cub Openers

APRIL 6, 1971

Billy Williams hit a walk-off home run off Bob Gibson with one out in the 10th inning to give the Cubs a 2-1 victory over the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

Fergie Jenkins outdueled Gibson in a matchup of future Hall of Famers. Joe Torre's seventh inning homer accounted for the Card run.  This was the first time Ernie Banks wasn't in the starting lineup since 1953.

How about those names?

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APRIL 6, 1973

Trailing 2-1 in the ninth the Cubs scored twice on bases loaded walks and beat the Expos 3-2 at Wrigley Field.  Rick Monday drew the game with two outs to score Tony LaRussa -- pinch running for Ron Santo -- for the winning run.  It was LaRussa's only appearance for the Cubs and his last in the majors as a player.

Some More Names.  --CootCub