Baseball history unpacked, December 20

... 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:

• 1921 - At the Major League meetings, the American League votes to return to the best-of-seven World Series; the National League votes to keep the five-of-nine format. Judge Landis casts the deciding vote, and the four-of-seven format is reinstated. (2,3)
• 1978 - Don Blasingame becomes the first American not of Japanese descent to be named as a manager of a Japanese team. The former major league second baseman will pilot the cellar-dwelling Hanshin Tigers to a fourth-place finish the next season. (1,3)
• 2012 - Edwin Jackson joins his 8th team in 11 years, signing a four-year, $52 million deal with the Chicago Cubs despite a career record of 70-71. (3)
• Cubs birthdays: Herm Doscher, Fred Merkle, Gabby Hartnett (HoF), Marv Felderman, Oscar Gamble, Paul Moskau, Fernando Ramsey, Augie Ojeda, David DeJesus. Also notable: Branch Rickey (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.