Chicago Baseball Loses a Legend: Cubs Clubhouse Manager of 50 Years Passes Away

The world of MLB is observing a moment of silence. As one remembers the esteemed clubhouse manager, one can’t hold back tears thinking of his massive contributions. As a part of the Chicago Cubs for years, he was “loved by everyone who was blessed to know him”.

Not only was he a key force in managing the clubhouse, but was also a beloved of the players. Ranging from making the players feel at home to preparing food for them, this man who spent 5 decades in MLB, did it all. So much so that players felt he should be “wearing chef’s gear in there“. 

The MLB World Stands Still As It Loses, the Cubs’ Loyal Gem

The Chicago Cubs clubhouse manager Cubs Tom ‘Otis’ Hellman passed away today. While the reason for his death is unknown, what one knows that how special he was in the world of baseball. Bob Nightengale took to Twitter stating, “RIP beloved Cubs clubhouse manager Cubs Tom “Otis” Hellman, who passed away today after spending 50 years in MLB. He was loved by everyone who was blessed to know him.”

Hellman aka Otis was not an ordinary man. He always kept his best foot forward when it came to the clubhouse and its players. Hellman established himself as the team’s head chef. His influence in the kitchen was so great that Lou Piniella, a former Cubs player mentioned that “The kitchen, I feel like Otis should be wearing chef’s gear in there”. The Chicago Tribune however describes Hellman with different words. 

“The consigliere of the clubhouse is a balding, middle-aged man”, and his name is ‘Otis’. There’s hardly any name that would be more native to the Cubs than his. Apart from having spent close to 40 years dedicated to Chicago, his contribution to the organization has been monumental. 

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Chicago Cubs’ Tom ‘Otis’ Hellman – A Beloved Behind-the-Scenes Person

A notable moment after replacing Yosh Kawano in the ’90s comes to mind. This goes back to when the Cubs moved from an old clubhouse to the new one. His opinion was that going from the coziness of familiarity to the “super-sized version” of the clubhouse would be quite an adjustment to make. However, Otis was sure that folks would welcome the change like “the first robin in spring”.

His saga continues. Last year, in the month of February, Job Greenberg shared that “Longtime Cubs head clubby Tom “Otis” Hellman has moved to an emeritus role”. Now that was worth commending. After all, his loyalty to the organization will be etched forever in the history of the Windy City’s Cubs. 

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Otis was not the only beloved behind-the-scenes person. His assistant Danny Mueller, who has been loyal to the Cubs since he started as a bat boy in 2008, was made the new head guy. Come what may, Tom ‘Otis’ Hellman, his loyalty and contributions will never be forgotten.