Baseball history unpacked, November 11

... 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:

• 1891 - The National League meets and dismisses the charges of collusion and game-throwing against the eastern clubs brought by the Chicago Colts, thereby formally giving the Boston Beaneaters the pennant. The pennant winners won 23 of their last 30 games, including 18 in a row. (1)

Lyle Spatz of SABR explains.

• 1962 - His major league peers select Ken Hubbs as the recipient of the Gold Glove for his performance at second base. The 21-year-old Cubs infielder is the first rookie to be honored with the prestigious fielding award. (And yes, he was the RoY that year. I emailed BBRef to inform them of that lack, from a previous entry, spotted by a sharp-eyed reader.) (1,3)
• 1987 - Jim Frey, who managed the Chicago Cubs to the 1984 NL East division title, and spent last season as a broadcaster for the Cubs, is named the club’s director of baseball operations. His first major move will be to hire longtime friend Don Zimmer as manager on November 20th. (3)
• Cubs birthdays: Bert Abbey, Rabbit Maranville (HoF), Scott May. Also notable: Pie Traynor (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.