Baseball history unpacked, November 1

... 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.

Today in baseball history:

• 1938 - National League batting champ Ernie Lombardi of the Cincinnati Reds is named the Most Valuable Player. Chicago Cubs pitcher Bill Lee is runner-up. (2,3)
• 1982 - At a meeting in Chicago, the major league owners vote not to renew Commissioner Bowie Kuhn’s contract. The American League owners vote in favor of Kuhn 11-3, and the National League 7-5. But his 18 votes leave him 2 shy of the three-fourths majority required for reelection. Kuhn will remain on the job until a successor is found. He will eventually be replaced by Peter Ueberroth. (1,2,3)
• 1999 - Atlanta Braves coach Don Baylor is hired as the Chicago Cubs’ manager.
• 2016 - The Cubs force a decisive Game 7 in the 2016 World Series with a 9-3 win over the Indians at Progressive Field in Game 6. Kris Bryant opens the scoring with a solo homer off Josh Tomlin in the first, and later in the inning Addison Russell adds a two-run double on a ball that falls between CF Tyler Naquin and RF Lonnie Chisenhall. Russell adds a grand slam in the third as Chicago builds an insurmountable lead and cruises to the finish. (3)

Box score.

• Cubs birthdays: Fred Demarais, Snapper Kennedy, Lefty York, Earl Blackburn, Larry French, Clint Compton, Miguel Dilone, Anthony Bass. Also notable: Bid McPhee (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.