A version of this story originally ran April 8, 2019, the 50th anniversary of this historic event. I repost it here as part of this walkoff wins series, with some minor edits and a few notes on Willie Smith’s career.

To understand the true meaning of Willie Smith’s walkoff two-run homer on April 8, 1969, a little background is needed.

The Cubs had gone into a two-decade slumber after 1946. From 1947-66 — 20 full seasons — they had finished over .500 just once (1963) and lost 90 or more games 11 times.

Then, suddenly, in 1967 they awoke and went into first place briefly in July before fading and finishing third. Still, the 87-74 record they posted that year was their best since 1946 and with young stars Billy Williams, Ron Santo and Fergie Jenkins, there was much hope for the future.

In

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