Baseball history unpacked, December 24

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:

• 1949 - Early in the morning on Christmas Eve, Grover Cleveland Alexander is found lying unconscious in an alley near his apartment in Hollywood. The seriously ill Hall-of-Famer, who will spend several days in Los Angeles County General Hospital before being released, is suffering from alcoholism and epilepsy. (1)
• 1969 -

“I do not feel that I am a piece of property to be bought and sold irrespective of my wishes.” - CURT FLOOD, responding to being traded to Philadelphia.

In a letter to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, Curt Flood states his refusal to report to the Phillies after being traded by the Cardinals, citing he is not a piece of property to be sold. The MLB Players Association announces support for the outfielder’s suit against baseball and agrees to pay the legal fees for the case that will eventually be heard in the U.S. Supreme Court. (1)

The Christmas Eve when Curt Flood changed baseball forever.

• 1974 - St. Louis Cardinals speedster Lou Brock is named Sportsman of the Year by The Sporting News. He finishes ahead of such sports luminaries as tennis great Jimmy Connors, golfer Johnny Miller, and Dodgers ironman reliever Mike Marshall. (3)
• Cubs birthdays: Del Howard, Ernie Groth, James Norwood.
• Michael Clair (Cut Four): Seven ways to turn your holiday celebrations into a baseball-themed dream world.

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