Baseball history unpacked, November 21

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 invite you to investigate the linked material, which will illustrate the bullets somewhat.

Today in baseball history:

• 1893 - Ban Johnson is named president, secretary, and treasurer of the recently reorganized Western League. Under Johnson’s leadership the league will prosper and eventually become the American League. (3)
• 1933 - Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Chuck Klein, who won the Triple Crown after hitting .368 with 28 home runs and 120 RBI, is sold to the Cubs for $125,000 and veterans Mark Koenig and Harvey Hendrick, and rookie Ted Kleinhans. Hendrick will play one year with the Phillies, while Koenig and Hendrick quickly go to the Reds. Klein, who also led the National League in hits (223), doubles (44), extra-base hits (79), total bases (365), slugging percentage (.602), on base percentage (.368) and OPS (1.025), and finished second in runs (102) and fourth in steals (15), is the only player in major league history to be traded after a Triple Crown season. Klein will have two-plus seasons at Wrigley Field before returning to Philadelphia in 1936. (3)
• 1934 - In a pitchers transaction, the St. Louis Cardinals send 16-game winner Tex Carleton to the Chicago Cubs for Bud Tinning and Dick Ward, and cash considerations. Carleton will win 11 in Chicago while Tinning and Ward will help little. (3)
• 1949 - Bill Veeck sells the Indians for $2.2 million to a local syndicate headed by Ellis Ryan. Hank Greenberg will be general manager. (2)

More fun. Of local interest.

• 2000 - Citing statistics to a U.S. Senate panel, commissioner Bud Selig states it is time for ‘sweeping changes’ in the game’s economic makeup, raising the possibility of a work stoppage after the current contract expires October 31, 2001. (1)
• Cubs birthdays: Laurie Reis, Clark Griffith (HoF), Jess Dobernic, Jay Johnstone, Rick Monday, Alex Arias, Sam Fuld.

Sources:

• (1) — The National Pastime.
• (2) — Today in Baseball History.
• (3) — Baseball Reference.
• (4) — Society for American Baseball Research.
• (5) — Baseball Hall of Fame.

Thanks for reading.