Baseball history unpacked, December 13

... 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*. Beware of rabbit holes.

Today in baseball history:

• 1911 - The Boston Rustlers (formerly the Doves) are bought by New York politician James E. Gaffney and former player, now attorney, John Montgomery Ward. The team will be called the Braves because of Gaffney’s Tammany Hall connections. (1,3)
• 1956 - The Dodgers trade Jackie Robinson to the cross-town rivals, the Giants, for pitcher Dick Littlefield and $35,000. Jackie, according to some accounts had already decided privately to leave the game to work for Chock Full of Nuts, publicly retires from baseball rather than accept the trade. (1,2,3)
• 1969 - Curt Flood attends the Players’ Association executive board meeting to seek financial assistance in his attempt to sue major league baseball on the grounds the reserve clause violates Federal antitrust laws. Although skeptical about the outcome of the suit, the player reps vote 25-0 to support the recently traded outfielder, who refuses to report to the Phillies after being dealt by the Cardinals. (1)
• 2007 - The Mitchell Report is released, naming 89 players as having used or been in possession of steroids. Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Miguel Tejada and Jason Giambi are among those named. The report calls for tighter regulation of performance-enhancing drugs. (1,3)
• 2008 - Kerry Wood signs a two-year, $20.5 million deal (with a 2011 option) to play for the Cleveland Indians. The former Cubs fireballing phenom saved 34 games in 2008, his first season as a closer for Chicago. (1,3)
• Cubs birthdays: Bill Everitt, Jack Taylor, Bob Wright, Lindy McDaniel J.C. Martin, Nate Oliver, Fergie Jenkins (HoF), Jon Perlman, Jeff Robinson,Steve Wilson. Also notable: Buckshot May, Larry Doby (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.

*We try to vet each item. Please let us know if an item is in error, especially if you have a source.

Thanks for reading.