Cubs “One Hit” Wonders – #9 – Mickey Morandini

Taking a look back at the 10 players who had one really good or great year in their career while they were with the Cubs.

Year: 1998
WAR: 3.9
+1.4 WAR = 35.9% Improvement

1998 was a crazy year for many reasons, especially the home run race between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGuire. But one of the bright spots for the Cubs that year was Mickey Morandini, who was 2nd on the team in WAR.

Second base had not been a problem for the Cubs for 15 years, as Ryne Sandberg had owned that spot (with the exception of 1995, when he temporarily retired). But with Sandberg permanently retired, the Cubs needed to find someone.

So, the Cubs acquired the 32-year-old Morandini for ESPN personality, Doug Glanville in December of 1997.

Morandini had been a solid player for the Phillies, peaking at a 2.5 WAR in 1995 (and making the All-Star Game), but also posting solid WARs of 2.0, 1.3, 1.2, and 1.0 during his Phillies career.

But he really shined in 1998, with a slash line of .296./.380/.385. He also had an excellent defensive year at second base, leading the National League in both fielding percentage at .993 and Total Zone in Runs Above Average at 10 for his position.

The defensive prowess was was the more unexpected part, as he had been a below average second baseman with the Phillies, and then for his last few years in the majors.

1998 was Morandini’s only good season with the Cubs, as he dropped to a -1.1 WAR in 1999, and left as a free agent in 2000. That season, he signed with the Expos, was sold to the Phillies and traded to the Blue Jays for Rob Ducey. He re-signed with the Jays, but did not play again in the majors.

Here is full video of the Cubs – Giants one-game playoff in 1998 where Morandini batted 2nd and went 1-4:

Logan Whaley of Cubbies Crib wrote an piece about Morandini’s 1998 season here:

Chicago Cubs: Re-living Mickey Morandini’s golden 1998 season