Baseball history unpacked, October 16

... 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:

• 1960 - In the first structural change since 1900, the National League votes to admit Houston and New York into the Senior Circuit. The two expansion teams will begin play in 1962. (2,3)
• 1974 - Pitcher Ken Holtzman, who hasn’t batted in the regular season because of the designated hitter rule, belts a third-inning home run off Andy Messersmith in Game 4 and gets the 5-2 victory. Rollie Fingers holds the Dodgers in relief and Oakland takes a 3-1 Series lead. Holtzman remains the last pitcher in American League history to hit a home run at home. (3)
• 2006 - Former Manager of the Year (1995 and 2001 Mariners) Lou Piniella inks a three-year contract worth approximately $10 million, which has an option for a fourth year, to manage the Cubs. The 64-year-old fiery skipper, who is replacing Dusty Baker (66-96), has a record of 1,519-1,420 during his 18-year managerial tenure with the Yankees, Reds, Mariners, and Devil Rays. (1)
• 2019 - The Angels hire Joe Maddon, who spent 31 years in their organization before managing the Rays and Cubs, as their new manager, replacing Brad Ausmus. (3)
• Cubs birthdays: Rodney Scott, Kurt Seibert. Also notable: Goose Goslin HOF.

SimNews:

The simCubs’ magic wore off and they were defeated by the simDodgers in five games. Yu Darvish pitched well but the bats were made out of pool noodles and at length the Cubs were unable to keep treading water and sank. Jesus Luzardo wept.

The Dodgers went on the win the World Series against the Angels. Mike Trout and Joe Maddon deserved better.

If we play next year, I’ll have a new game (MLB The Show 2021). But I’m going to indulge myself and fire that coaching staff and make a few deals. Thanks to Dep and James and Pete, who stuck around all year and made the thing worth doing.

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!