Baseball history unpacked, December 14

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:

• 1916 - The Chicago Cubs swap OF Joe Kelly to the Boston Braves for coach Fred Mitchell, who will become Chicago’s new manager. (3)
• 1948 - It’s a busy day for the Phillies as the team purchases pitcher Ken Trinkle from the Giants and trade pitchers Walter Dubiel and Dutch Leonard to the Cubs for first baseman Eddie Waitkus and pitcher Hank Borowy. Ruth Ann Steinhagen, a Chicago female fan totally obsessed with former Cub Waitkus, is very upset with the trade and will try to kill him upon his return to Wrigley Field with the Phillies. (1)

We’ve covered this here several times. Famous incident.

• 1949 - The Cubs send pitcher Bill Voiselle and $35,000 to the Braves for infielder Gene Mauch. The Cubs had hoped to come away with Warren Spahn or Johnny Antonelli. (3)
• 1950 - The baseball owners choose Lou Perini (Braves), Phil Wrigley (Cubs), Del Webb (Yankees), and Ellis Ryan (Indians) to select a new commissioner as rapidly as possible. (2)
• Cubs birthdays: Lefty Tyler, Les Bell, Paul Erickson, Bobby Adams, Sam Jones, Pete Whisenant, Bill Buckner, Rodrigo Lopez, Angel Guzman, Donn Roach. Also notable: Craig Biggio (HoF).

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