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... 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:
- 1885 - The Washington Nationals are admitted to the National League, in place of Providence. The Washington club was displaced in the American Association by the court’s decision that the Mets’ franchise could not be revoked. (3)
- 1903 - At the league meeting, Ban Johnson is reelected American League president and given a raise to $10,000. Also, the AL votes to allow coaches at third base and first base at all times: till now, only one coach was permitted except if there were two or more baserunners. The AL also institutes the “foul strike” rule, used by the National League since 1901: a foul will be counted as a strike unless there are already two strikes. (3)
- 1980 - Ferguson Jenkins is convicted on cocaine possession charges in a Canadian court, but has the verdict immediately erased by Judge Gerald Young because of his years of “exemplary” conduct. (3)
- 1992 - The Cubs sign free agent OF Willie Wilson to a two-year contract. (3)
- 2009 - The Cubs trade outcast Milton Bradley to the Mariners for pitcher Carlos Silva (1-3, 8.60), Seattle’s very costly and underachieving right-hander. Chicago suspended the outspoken and unpopular outfielder for his criticism of the team’s atmosphere as being the reason the club hadn’t won a World Series since 1908. (3)
Cubs birthdays: Buddy Napier, Lance Richbourg, Coaker Triplett, Rex Brothers. Also notable: Ty Cobb HOF.
Common 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!