Al Yellon created Bleed Cubbie Blue and has been its managing editor since 2005. He's also written three books about the Cubs, the latest is "Chicago Cubs Firsts."
The Cubs had come off of a couple of really bad seasons — 90+ losses — in 1956 and 1957. About all they had going for them was Ernie Banks, who would become league MVP in ‘58.
They didn’t do much to help Banks by trade, anyway, in this year.
April 3: Acquired Bobby Thomson from the Giants for Bob Speake
Speake had burst on the scene for the Cubs in 1955, batting .