A high spirited and durable catcher Clyde McCullough was one of the leading backstops of this era. A native of Nashville Tennessee he played nine games at age 23 for the Chicago Cubs in late-1940 and the next year was the Cubs 1941 Opening Day catcher and played in 125 games, hitting .227. In 1942 the quick-of-foot catcher hit .282 with a career high 22 doubles in 109 games. Clyde McCullough proudly served in the US Military during World War II from late-1943 thru 1945. After the War he retuned to the Cubs where he played until 1948. He was traded to Pittsburgh on December 8 1949 along pitcher Cliff Chambers for pitcher Cal McLish and infielder Frankie Gustine. Playing for Bill Meyer, Pirates manager, Clyde McCullough responded well and worked hard in his 4-year tenure in Pittsburgh, batting .237 in 91 games, then in 1951 hit a career high .297 in 103 games. According to ‘Who’s Who Magazine’ ‘In 1949 he was behind the plate in 90 games and his handling of pitchers and high spirit compensated for his rather weak batting average that year, .237.’ In the winter of 1952 Clyde McCullough was traded back to the Chicago Cubs, on August 17 1954 he blasted a grand slam home run off Cincinnati pitcher Bud Podbelian in the fourth inning. Clyde McCullough is one of about 40 Cubs players in the to compile over 700 total bases while in a Cubs uniform, 757 total bases. Clyde McCullough first pro experience was ’35 with Lafayette of the Evangeline League. Hit majors in 1940 with Cubs i9n 1941, and remained with them until traded to the Pirates. Highest batting average was .287 in 1942 |