Cubs star was NL MVP in 1945

Phil Cavarretta, the 1945 National League MVP who led the Chicago Cubs to their last World Series appearance, has died. He was 94.

Mr. Cavarretta died Saturday evening in Lilburn, Ga., of complications from a stroke, according to his grandson, Jeffrey Brown, of Lubbock, Texas.

Brown told the Associated Press in a phone interview that Mr. Cavarretta died in a hospice care center. Brown said Cavarretta had been battling leukemia and suffered the stroke several days ago.

A first baseman and outfielder, Mr. Cavarretta broke into the major leagues in 1934 and spent the first 20 of his 22 seasons with the Cubs before moving across town to play 77 games for the White Sox …