From Find-a-Grave.
Born December 23, 1929, in Cicero, Illinois. Died December 29, 2012, in Chicago.
Lived in obscurity after she shot Eddie Waitkus.
Burial Unknown
From Wikipedia.
Died of a subdural hematoma suffered in an accidental fall in her home.
Her death was unreported for three months. A Chicago Tribune researcher was looking into another death when he came across her death.
There were no immediate survivors.
--Cooter
Showing posts with label Eddie Waitkus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eddie Waitkus. Show all posts
Monday, July 24, 2017
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Eddie Stephen "Eddie" Waitkus
From Find-A-Grave.
Mr. Waitkus was an Major League All-Star three times, twice with the Cubs and once with the Phillies.
"While the Phillies were in Chicago to play the Cubs in 1949, he was shot by a deranged female fan who was obsessed with him. He was severely injured and missed the rest of the 1949 season, but recovered to play in all of the 1950 Phillies' pennant winning games the next season.
"The incident was the real-life inspiration for Bernard Malamud's baseball novel "The Natural" which was made into a movie of the same name starring Robert Redford."
He is buried in Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Plot WWII Lot, Tier 22, Grave 39.
His grave reads EDWARD WAITKUS, MASSACHUSETTS, CPL US ARMY WWII."
--Cooter
Mr. Waitkus was an Major League All-Star three times, twice with the Cubs and once with the Phillies.
"While the Phillies were in Chicago to play the Cubs in 1949, he was shot by a deranged female fan who was obsessed with him. He was severely injured and missed the rest of the 1949 season, but recovered to play in all of the 1950 Phillies' pennant winning games the next season.
"The incident was the real-life inspiration for Bernard Malamud's baseball novel "The Natural" which was made into a movie of the same name starring Robert Redford."
He is buried in Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Plot WWII Lot, Tier 22, Grave 39.
His grave reads EDWARD WAITKUS, MASSACHUSETTS, CPL US ARMY WWII."
--Cooter
Death of Ruth Ann Steinhagen in 2012-- Part 4: Her Original Plans
She used to go to all of the Chicago Cubs home games while Eddie Waitkus was with them. But, when he was traded to the Phillies, she didn't get to see him as much. This led to a mental breakdown.
She moved into a small apartment and turned it into a shrine to Eddie Waitkus.
Her original plan for after killing him was to commit suicide.
Eddie Waitkus fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II and saw especially heavy action in the Philippines. For three years he braved Japanese bullets without a scratch. he then came home and was almost killed by Ruth Ann's bullet as a civilian.
--DaCoot
She moved into a small apartment and turned it into a shrine to Eddie Waitkus.
Her original plan for after killing him was to commit suicide.
Eddie Waitkus fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II and saw especially heavy action in the Philippines. For three years he braved Japanese bullets without a scratch. he then came home and was almost killed by Ruth Ann's bullet as a civilian.
--DaCoot
Death of Ruth Ann Steinhagen-- Part 3: Became a Recluse Afterwards
In 1970, she moved into a small house in Chicago and lived with her parents and sister and became a recluse. She died December 29, 2012, at the age of 83. Her death was not noted despite of her notoriety. It wasn't until a reporter for the Chicago Tribune was researching another death that her death was discovered by the newspapers on March 15, 20143.
She was born in Chicago on December 23, 1929 and had a penchant for falling in love with unattainable men. She had crushes on actor Alan Ladd
--Cooter
She was born in Chicago on December 23, 1929 and had a penchant for falling in love with unattainable men. She had crushes on actor Alan Ladd
--Cooter
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Death of Ruth Ann Steinhagen in 2012-- Part 2: "Now You're Going to Die"
Ruth Ann Steinhagen was a 19-year-old typist for an insurance agency. She had planned to stab Eddie Waitkus, but he came in quickly and sat down. She went to the closet and got a .22 rifle.
She told him, "I have a surprise for you." She trained the gun on him and told him to stand up and move to the window. "For two years you've been bothering me, and now you're going to die."
Then she shot him.
She was arrested and charged with assault with intent to murder.
Less than three weeks afterwards, a judge declared her insane and committed her to a psychiatric hospital where she spend three years and was released.
--Cooter
She told him, "I have a surprise for you." She trained the gun on him and told him to stand up and move to the window. "For two years you've been bothering me, and now you're going to die."
Then she shot him.
She was arrested and charged with assault with intent to murder.
Less than three weeks afterwards, a judge declared her insane and committed her to a psychiatric hospital where she spend three years and was released.
--Cooter
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
The Death of Eddie Waitkus' Shooter, Ruth Ann Steinhagen-- Part 1: Planning the Trap
From the March 23, 2013, New York Times "Ruth Ann Steinhagen Is Dead at 83; Shot a Ballplayer" by Bruce Weber.
On June 14, 1949, a huge tip back then of $5 was given to a bellhop at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago to deliver a note to another guest. Even though the two people had never met, the note said that she needed to see him right away. She called herself Ruth Anne Burus.
She then ordered two whiskey sours and a daiquiri from room service and sipped them while waiting for the guest to arrive. Eddie Waitkus received the note and knocked on her door at 11 p.m.. She told him that she had already gone to bed and needed to dress and asked if he'd come back in a half hour.
Only, her name was Ruth Ann Steinhagen and she was planning on killing Eddie Waitkus.
And They Had Never Met. --DaCoot
On June 14, 1949, a huge tip back then of $5 was given to a bellhop at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago to deliver a note to another guest. Even though the two people had never met, the note said that she needed to see him right away. She called herself Ruth Anne Burus.
She then ordered two whiskey sours and a daiquiri from room service and sipped them while waiting for the guest to arrive. Eddie Waitkus received the note and knocked on her door at 11 p.m.. She told him that she had already gone to bed and needed to dress and asked if he'd come back in a half hour.
Only, her name was Ruth Ann Steinhagen and she was planning on killing Eddie Waitkus.
And They Had Never Met. --DaCoot
So, How'd the Eddie WaitkusTrade Go for the Cubs?
From Baseball Almanac.
One thing about the Chicago Cubs and that on occasion, they have made some bad trades. I got to wondering whether the Eddie Waitkus and Hank Borowy trade to the Phillies for Monk Dubiel and Dutch Leonard was a good one or not.
All players were with the teams they were traded to for at least two years, so here are the stats.
The other three players were pitchers.
Eddie Waitkus 1949-- .306 // 1950-- .284
Hank Borowy 1949-- 12-12 Record, .4.19 ERA // 1950-- 0-0 record, 5.68 ERA. Traded to Pittsburgh Pirates.
From the Phillies to the Cubs
Monk Dubiel 1949 6-9 record, 4.14 ERA // 1950-- 6-10, 4.16 ERA
Dutch Leonard: 1949-- 7-16 record, 4.15 ERA // 1950-- 5-1 record, 3.77 ERA
I'd have to say, because of Waitkus, the Phillies got the better trade.
However, As Far As Nicknames Are Concerned, I'd Say the Cubs Did Better. --Cooter
One thing about the Chicago Cubs and that on occasion, they have made some bad trades. I got to wondering whether the Eddie Waitkus and Hank Borowy trade to the Phillies for Monk Dubiel and Dutch Leonard was a good one or not.
All players were with the teams they were traded to for at least two years, so here are the stats.
The other three players were pitchers.
Eddie Waitkus 1949-- .306 // 1950-- .284
Hank Borowy 1949-- 12-12 Record, .4.19 ERA // 1950-- 0-0 record, 5.68 ERA. Traded to Pittsburgh Pirates.
From the Phillies to the Cubs
Monk Dubiel 1949 6-9 record, 4.14 ERA // 1950-- 6-10, 4.16 ERA
Dutch Leonard: 1949-- 7-16 record, 4.15 ERA // 1950-- 5-1 record, 3.77 ERA
I'd have to say, because of Waitkus, the Phillies got the better trade.
However, As Far As Nicknames Are Concerned, I'd Say the Cubs Did Better. --Cooter
Monday, July 17, 2017
Eddie Waitkus' Major League Stats
Born September 4, 1919 in Massachusetts. Died September 16, 1972.
Lifetime .285 Batting Average and 24 home runs, so not likely to hit one to blow up those lights like in "The Natural."
His rookie year was in 1941 with the Chicago Cubs when he played in 12 games at the end of the season.
From 1942-1945, he was in military service in World War II.
In 1946 he played in 113 games with 441 at bats, 55 RBIs, 4 Home runs and batted .304. The next two years with the Cubs, he batted .292 and .295. In 1949, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. In his time there he hit .306 (the year he was shot), .284, .257, .289 and .291.
And You Thought You Would Have to Worry About A Beanball. --CootNat
Lifetime .285 Batting Average and 24 home runs, so not likely to hit one to blow up those lights like in "The Natural."
His rookie year was in 1941 with the Chicago Cubs when he played in 12 games at the end of the season.
From 1942-1945, he was in military service in World War II.
In 1946 he played in 113 games with 441 at bats, 55 RBIs, 4 Home runs and batted .304. The next two years with the Cubs, he batted .292 and .295. In 1949, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. In his time there he hit .306 (the year he was shot), .284, .257, .289 and .291.
And You Thought You Would Have to Worry About A Beanball. --CootNat
Friday, July 14, 2017
MLB's Eddie Waitkus, Shot By His Stalker in 1949-- Part 3: Was Basis of the Book "The Natural"
Eddie Waitkus returned to the baseball diamond that same year, on August 19, 1949, and finished the season with a .306 batting average. He was the leadoff hitter for the Phillies' "Whiz Kids" that won the 1950 National league Pennant. He led the team with 102 runs scored.
Author Bernard Malamud was not a big baseball fan, but he used basic elements of Waitkus' story and other baseball legends (notably Chicago White Sox's Shoeless Joe Jackson for his 1952 book "The Natural." In 1984, it was made into a movie starring Robert Redford and Glenn Close.
--Cooter
Author Bernard Malamud was not a big baseball fan, but he used basic elements of Waitkus' story and other baseball legends (notably Chicago White Sox's Shoeless Joe Jackson for his 1952 book "The Natural." In 1984, it was made into a movie starring Robert Redford and Glenn Close.
--Cooter
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Eddie Waitkus, Philadelphia Phillies, Shot in 1949-- Shot At Chicago's Edgewater Beach Hotel
Eddie Waitkus quickly became a popular media figure. He was well-educated and could speak fluently in Lithuanian, Polish, German and French.
The ladies especially loved him. One of them, Ruth Ann Steinhagen, became an obsessed fan who shot him at Chicago's Edgewater Beach Hotel on June 14, 1949, in what became one of the earliest recognized cases of criminal stalking.
She had been infatuated with him while he was with the Cubs, but got to see him during all home games. But now that he was with the Phillies, that was a rare instance. So, while he was in town, she checked into the Edgewater under the name of one of Eddie Waitkus' former classmates. She sent word to him that they needed to meet.
When he arrived at the room, she shot him with a .22 caliber rifle, just missing his heart. She immediately called the front desk to tell them there had been a shooting. When help arrived, they found her cradling his head in her lap.
Eddie Waitkus nearly died several times on the operating table before the bullet was removed.
Steinhagen was never tried but was in a mental institution for a short time.
--DaCootBang
The ladies especially loved him. One of them, Ruth Ann Steinhagen, became an obsessed fan who shot him at Chicago's Edgewater Beach Hotel on June 14, 1949, in what became one of the earliest recognized cases of criminal stalking.
She had been infatuated with him while he was with the Cubs, but got to see him during all home games. But now that he was with the Phillies, that was a rare instance. So, while he was in town, she checked into the Edgewater under the name of one of Eddie Waitkus' former classmates. She sent word to him that they needed to meet.
When he arrived at the room, she shot him with a .22 caliber rifle, just missing his heart. She immediately called the front desk to tell them there had been a shooting. When help arrived, they found her cradling his head in her lap.
Eddie Waitkus nearly died several times on the operating table before the bullet was removed.
Steinhagen was never tried but was in a mental institution for a short time.
--DaCootBang
Eddie Waitkus, Former Cubs Player Shot in 1949-- Part 1: "The Natural"
From Wikipedia.
In the last post, I mentioned that along with Billy Jurges being shot by a jilted lover in 1932, another former Cub by the name of Eddie Waitkus, was shot by a woman in 1949 while playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Born September 4, 1919 in Massachusetts. Died September 16, 1972 in Massachusetts.
Played first base for eleven years: Cubs and Phillies in the National League and the Orioles in the American League. He was a member of the National League All Star team in 1948 and 1949.
As a rookie, he was known as "The Natural" for his baseball abilities. (Sound familiar?) He played a few games with the Cubs at the end of the 1941 season, but then served in the military during World War II, taking part in the battles in the Philippines. During that time he was awarded four Bronze Stars.
Returning to baseball in 1946, he quickly became a star for the Chicago Cubs.
--CootCub
In the last post, I mentioned that along with Billy Jurges being shot by a jilted lover in 1932, another former Cub by the name of Eddie Waitkus, was shot by a woman in 1949 while playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Born September 4, 1919 in Massachusetts. Died September 16, 1972 in Massachusetts.
Played first base for eleven years: Cubs and Phillies in the National League and the Orioles in the American League. He was a member of the National League All Star team in 1948 and 1949.
As a rookie, he was known as "The Natural" for his baseball abilities. (Sound familiar?) He played a few games with the Cubs at the end of the 1941 season, but then served in the military during World War II, taking part in the battles in the Philippines. During that time he was awarded four Bronze Stars.
Returning to baseball in 1946, he quickly became a star for the Chicago Cubs.
--CootCub
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Billy Jurges, Played With a Great Cubs Infield
Born May 9, 1908. Died March 3, 1997 in Clearwater, Florida.
Known as a light hitter and good fielder. Right handed. In 1932 anchored an infield of Stan Hack (3rd), Billy Herman (2nd) and Charlie Grimm and Phil Cavarretta (1st). Recovered from wound in 1932 and helped the Cubs win the National league pennant.
Played with the New York Giants but missed 80 games in 1940 after being hit in the head by a pitched ball.
Later coached under Charlie Grimm and then held managerial jobs with several minor league teams.
I also found out another Chicago Cub player named Eddie Waitkus was shot i n 1949 (but playing with the Philadelphia Phillies at the time).
--Cooter
Known as a light hitter and good fielder. Right handed. In 1932 anchored an infield of Stan Hack (3rd), Billy Herman (2nd) and Charlie Grimm and Phil Cavarretta (1st). Recovered from wound in 1932 and helped the Cubs win the National league pennant.
Played with the New York Giants but missed 80 games in 1940 after being hit in the head by a pitched ball.
Later coached under Charlie Grimm and then held managerial jobs with several minor league teams.
I also found out another Chicago Cub player named Eddie Waitkus was shot i n 1949 (but playing with the Philadelphia Phillies at the time).
--Cooter
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