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A wildly popular Cubs-centric look at baseball’s past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow along as we review select scenes from the rich tapestry of Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball history. We’re winding down to the end of the season, and there’s not much to choose from — but we have video. It’s a beautiful day for a ball game — let’s get started!
Monday, we’ll segue into historical essays in this space — stay tuned!
Today in baseball history:
- 1908 - Baseball’s anthem, Take Me Out to the Ballgame, is introduced by singer Billy Murray. The songwriting team of Albert Von Tilzer (music) and Jack Norworth (words), who created the immortal tune, had never seen a game before composing the immortal number. (3)
- 1972 - Jackie Robinson, weakened by complications of heart disease and diabetes, dies of a heart attack in his home in North Stamford, Connecticut. The 53-year-old, nearly blind baseball pioneer and social activist’s death comes nine days after his appearance at the World Series, where he threw the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Stadium. (1)
There’s a really good bio of Jackie Robinson here...and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Branch Rickey’s role in introducing Robinson to the world. Sad that he was in such poor health at that age.
- 2014 - In a surprise development, long-time Rays manager Joe Maddon resigns after nine seasons at the helm, following the departure of GM Andrew Friedman by only a few weeks. The tandem is widely credited with turning the franchise around. (3)
Of course, we know what happened after that, and Maddon is heading into the last year of the deal he signed with the Cubs. Will there be another? That remains to be seen.
- Cubs birthdays: Ned Williamson, Eddie Stack, Jack Russell, Jim Brosnan, John Goetz, Rawly Eastwick, Bill Hayes.
Sources:
- (1) — The National Pastime.
- (2) — Today in Baseball History.
- (3) — Baseball Reference.
- (4) — Society for American Baseball Research.
Thanks for reading.