Baseball history unpacked, October 30

... on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue brings a you a lighthearted 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.

And, as a bow to the impending holiday, a completely un-acked-for side bustle.

Today in baseball history:

• 1945 - Branch Rickey signs Jackie Robinson and John Wright to contracts with Triple-A Montreal of the International League for 1946. It is the beginning of integration. (2,3)
• 2007 - Ria Cortesio, professional baseball’s only active female umpire and sixth overall, is released after nine years of making calls in the minors. The 31-year-old crew chief, whose mask is in the Hall of Fame, worked the Futures Game and Home Run Derby at the 2006 All-Star Game played in Pittsburgh, and she was on the bases for an exhibition game between the Diamondbacks and Cubs during spring training. (1)
• 2009 - Tom Ricketts, the Cubs’ chairman, makes it clear that the new ownership intends to win a World Championship. At his introductory press conference, the investment banker tells the media he believes a thoughtful, long-range approach is needed for the team to succeed in overcoming its 101-year absence from the Fall Classic. (1)

Video from NBC Sports Chicago.

• 2016 - The Cubs remain alive in the 2016 World Series with a 3 - 2 win over Cleveland in Game 5. The Indians score first, on a solo homer by Jose Ramirez off Jon Lester in the 2nd but Chicago scores 3 against Trevor Bauer in the 4th. Aroldis Chapman gets the final 8 outs to record the save.

Box score.

• Cubs birthdays: Tom Nagle, Rudy Sommers, Kettle Wirts, Roy Joiner, John Burrows, Roe Skidmore. Also notable: Ed Delahanty (HoF), Bill Terry (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.
• (6) — This Day in Chicago Cubs history.

Thanks for reading.