Baseball history unpacked, January 6

... 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:

• 1914 - The National Commission grants some demands of the players’ union: players are to be notified in writing of their transfer or release and to receive a copy of their contract; players with 10 years in the Major Leagues are eligible to become free agents; clubs will pay traveling expenses to spring training and furnish all uniforms, and outfield fences in major league ballparks should be painted green to provide a better hitting background for batters. (1,3)
• 1916 - King Cole, the pitcher who gave up Babe Ruth’s first hit in 1914, dies in Bay City, MI at age 29. Cole was a stellar pitcher while playing for the Chicago Cubs, helping his team to the 1910 World Series. (3)
• 1950 - Charlie Grimm, uncomfortable with front office duties, leaves the Cubs as a vice president to manage the Dallas Eagles. ‘Jolly Cholly’, who had led the team to National League pennants in 1932, 1935, and 1945, signs for a record salary of $90,000 to be the skipper of the Texas League team. Grimm comments, “these hands were never intended to carry a brief case.” (1,3)
• 2000 - Gene Budig resigns as American League president and is appointed a senior adviser to Commissioner Bud Selig. The American and National Leagues will be disbanded as legal entities later this month, with their functions consolidated in the commissioner’s office. (3)
• 2009 - The Cubs acquire right-handed reliever Luis Vizcaino from the Rockies in exchange for starting pitcher Jason Marquis and cash. The deal, which frees up $9 million from Chicago’s payroll in 2009, gives the club more financial flexibility to sign free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley. (1)
• 2009 - The Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs exchange pitchers, with Jason Marquis going to Chicago in return for Luis Vizcaino. (3)
• 2010 - In his ninth year on the BBWAA’s ballot, Andre Dawson is the only player to receive 75 percent, or more of the writers’ votes (77.9) necessary for election to the Hall of Fame. The former National League Rookie of the Year (1977 - Montreal) and Most Valuable Player (1987 - Chicago), who spent 21 seasons patrolling the outfield for the Expos, Cubs, Red Sox, and Marlins, is one of only three players, that includes Willie Mays and Barry Bonds, to exceed 400 homers and 300 stolen bases during his major league career. (1,3)
• 2012 - The Padres trade 1B prospect Anthony Rizzo and minor league P Zach Cates to the Cubs for P Andrew Cashner and OF Kyung-Min Na. (3)
• Cubs birthdays: Clyde Beck, Lee Walls. Also notable: Early Wynn (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.