Baseball history unpacked, October 12

... 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*.

Today in baseball history:

• 1907 - At Detroit’s Bennett Park, Chicago Cubs pitcher Three Finger Brown shuts down the Detroit Tigers, 2-0, to win the World Series. Chicago steals four bases for a total of 18 in the five-game Series. Although Game 1 ended in a 3-3, 12-inning tie, Chicago becomes the first club to sweep a Fall Classic when the team wins the next four games. (1)
• 1929 - Trailing the Chicago Cubs, 8-0, in Game 4 of the World Series, the Philadelphia Athletics scored 10 runs in the seventh inning to win, 10-8. (2,3)
• 2003- With his team having lost three consecutive playoff games and on the brink of elimination in the NLCS, Marlins starter Josh Beckett sends the series back to Chicago when he strikes out 11 Chicago batters and gives up just two hits en route to tossing a 4-0 shutout at Pro Player Stadium. Florida will complete their stunning comeback by winning the final two games at Wrigley Field. Jose Feliciano sings the Star-Spangled Banner. (1)
• 2009 - The Cubs file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Wilmington, Delaware. The anticipated short-term move will allow the club’s owner, the Tribune Company, to sell the team in an $845 million deal to the family of TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.’s founder, Joe Ricketts. (1)
• 2011 - The Chicago Cubs agree on a five-year contract with Theo Epstein to be their new team President. Epstein built the Boston Red Sox team that won two World Series in 2004 and 2007, but was shaken by the team’s brutal September collapse this season, following manager Terry Francona’s departure by a few days. The deal won’t be made official for another two weeks, and Boston and Chicago will need to agree on compensation as Epstein still has a year to go on his contract. (3)
• 2015 - The Cubs hit six homers in defeating the Cardinals, 8-6, in Game 3 of the other NLDS. The hitters are Kyle Schwarber, Starlin Castro, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Jorge Soler and Dexter Fowler. Jake Arrieta is not his usually dominant self, but still strikes out nine in 5⅔ innings to earn the win over Michael Wacha, who gives up three of the long balls. (1,3)

• Cubs birthdays: Malachi Kittridge, Dick Cotter, Walter Signer, Lou Novikoff, Glenn Beckert, Jorge Pedre, Derrick White, Tanyon Sturtze, Casey McGehee, Also notable: Rick Ferrell HOF, Joe Cronin HOF.

SimNews:

Cubs vs Dodgers in a great series with the pennant at stake! Kyle Hendricks and Julio Urias face each other at 11 a.m. CT in the third game of a possible seven, at Chavez Ravine. The NLCS is tied 1-1. All game video and related material is available commercial-free, 24/7, at the BCB Media Center.

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 vet each item as much as time allows. Please let us know if an item is in error, especially if you have a source. Thanks for reading!