Baseball history unpacked, September 27

... on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue brings a you a wildly popular 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. The embedded links often point to articles that pertain to the scenes, such as reproductions of period newspapers, images, and/or other such material as is often found in the wild.

Today in baseball history:

• 1930 - In a 13-8 victory over the Reds at Wrigley Field, Hack Wilson hits two home runs, establishing a new National League mark for homers. The Cub outfielder’s total of 56 for the season will stand until Mark McGwire breaks the record in 1998. Pat Malone wins his 20th of the year. (1,3)

Box score.

• 1935 - With their 21st consecutive win, the Cubs clinch the National League pennant. Chicago beats the Cardinals in the first game of a doubleheader sweep to punch their ticket to the World Series. Only once during the winning streak have the Cubs pitchers given up more than three runs. The streak ties the franchise mark set in 1880. (1,3)

Box score. Second game.

• 1942 - On the last day of the regular season, the Cardinals clinch the National League pennant as sore-armed hurler Ernie White throws a five-hit complete-game, beating the Cubs in the first game of a twin bill, 9-2. The Redbirds also win the nightcap to finish the season with 11 victories in their final 12 games. (1)

Box scores — Game One. Game Two.

• 1961 - In front of only 1,717 fans at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, Bob Sprout** appears in his only major league game. The Angels starter, who once struck out 22 batters in a seven-inning no-hitter in the minor leagues, starts against the Senators, allowing four hits and two runs in four innings, and has no role in the decision of his team’s 8-6 victory over Washington. (1)

Box score.

• 1972 - At Jarry Park, Rick Reuschel pitches a four-hitter and Billy Williams hits a grand slam as the Cubs defeat the Expos 8-0. (6)

Box score.

• 1992 - Gary Carter, in his last major league at-bat, doubles deep to right field in the seventh inning, driving in Larry Walker with the lone run in the Expos’ 1-0 victory over the Cubs. The Montreal fans show their appreciation for one of the most beloved and talented players in franchise history with a long and loud standing ovation, causing the Kid to make two curtain calls to acknowledged the enthusiastic crowd when he removed from the game. (1)

Box score.

• 1993 - Cubs’ reliever Randy Myers tosses a perfect ninth inning to become the first National League pitcher to record 50 saves in a season when the team beats the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine, 7-3. The 30 year-old southpaw closer, best known for being one of the Reds’ Nasty Boys, will finish the season with a major-league leading 53 saves. (1)

Box score.

• 2003 - Cubs’ slugger Sammy Sosa blasts his 40th home run to establish a National League record by reaching the plateau for the sixth consecutive season. The Chicago right fielder, who had previously been tied with Ralph Kiner and Duke Snider, needs another season of at least 40 homers to equal Babe Ruth’s major league mark of seven seasons, set from 1926 to 1932. (1)

Box scores. Game one. Game two. The Cubs clinched the N.L. Central title with the second-game win.

• Cubs birthdays: Don Schulze. Also notable: Mike Schmidt (HoF).

** The Bob Sprout story.

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.