Baseball history unpacked, November 30

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.

Today in baseball history:

• 1932 - The Chicago Cubs get Babe Herman from the Cincinnati Reds for Rollie Hemsley and three others. (3)
• 1948 - “Sometimes the best trades are the ones you never make” - Bill Veeck, the Indian owner’s observation about a possible deal that wasn’t made.

Lou Boudreau is selected as the American League Most Valuable Player, becoming the only manager to win a World Series and be named the circuit’s MVP in the same season. The popular Indian shortstop, who had almost been dealt to the Browns earlier in the year but for the protest of the Tribe fans, prompts owner Veeck to rethink the transaction. (1)

• 1961 - The BBWAA selects Billy Williams (.278, 25, 86) as the National League’s Rookie of the Year. The Cubs outfielder is named on ten of the 16 ballots cast by the writers with the runner-up, Braves catcher Joe Torre, receiving five votes from the writers. (1)

• 1970 - The Cubs trade veteran knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm to the Braves for minor league first baseman Hal Breeden, who will be used sparingly before being dealt at the start of 1972 season to Montreal. The future Hall of Fame relief pitcher, known as Old Sarge to his teammates, will be released in June by Atlanta, but will finish the season with the Dodgers. (1)
• 1977 - Dave Kingman, joining his fifth team this year, signs as a free agent with the Cubs. Sky King, put on waivers in September by the Padres after a mid-season trade with the Mets, was selected by the Angels, who dealt the much-traveled slugger to the Yankees a week later. (1)
• 2011 - The Cubs sign free agent OF David DeJesus to a two-year contract.
• Cubs birthdays: Frank Killen, Ed Mayer, Steve Hamilton, Bob Tewksbury, Matt Lawton, Alec Mills.

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. #Cubsnews