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Baseball history unpacked, January 15

Cubs and MLB news and notes — The Green Light Letter, and other stories

Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Photo by Thomas D Mcavoy/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images

... 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:

In his famous ‘Green Light letter,’ President Roosevelt answers Commissioner Landis’s query about playing baseball in the wake of the Second World War. FDR responds that he believes playing the sport would be good for Americans and encourages the owners to have more games at night to give war workers an opportunity to attend games. (1)

Ironically, the Cubs, who had signed contracts to install lights at Wrigley Field, drop their plans because of the military need for the material. There will be no lights at Wrigley for 35 more years. (2)

Full text. (1)

Sources:

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

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