Billy Jurges

William Frederick Jurges (May 9, 1908 – March 3, 1997) played shortstop and third base in Major League Baseball over 17 seasons, compiling a .258 batting average across 1,816 games. Born in the Bronx, New York, Jurges was regarded as a top-flight defensive shortstop, leading National League shortstops in fielding percentage four times and in double plays once. He was central to three NL pennant-winning Chicago Cubs teams in 1932, 1935, and 1938. In July 1932, he returned from gunshot wounds—inflicted by a former girlfriend—to help the Cubs reach the pennant. He finished his career with 1,613 hits, 245 doubles, and 43 home runs.