Baseball history unpacked, December 7

... 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*.

This day in baseball history:

• 1937 - The National League extends permission for night baseball but the American League refuses to permit arc light games. (3)
• 1939 - Lou Gehrig‚ age 36‚ is unanimously elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame‚ the sole choice this year. The five-year waiting period is waived for the “Iron Horse”.
• 1966 - Dick Ellsworth is traded by the Cubs to the Phillies for right-hander Ray Culp and cash. During his eight-year tenure in Chicago, the southpaw, who had both a 22-win (1963) and 22-loss (1966) season for the club, compiled 84 victories, the most by a Northside hurler during the decade. (1,3)
• 1983 - In a complicated three-team swap‚ pitcher Scott Sanderson is traded from the Expos to the Cubs. Montreal receives pitcher Gary Lucas from San Diego‚ and the Padres get P Craig Lefferts‚ 1B-OF Carmelo Martinez and 3B Fritzie Connally from Chicago, and IF Al Newman from Montreal. (3)
• 1998 - The Cubs sign two free agents, 3B Gary Gaetti and OF Glenallen Hill. (3)
• 2004 - After refusing a $60 million, four-year extension from the Red Sox last winter, Nomar Garciaparra signs a one-year deal with the Cubs, the team he was traded to in July, for $8 million. The All-Star shortstop, who is coming off an injury-plagued season, can increase the value of the contract with bonus incentives based on performance and playing time to $11 million. (1)
• 2005 - The Marlins shed the last of their high-priced talent, trading CF speedster Juan Pierre to the Cubs for P Sergio Mitre and minor league Ps Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto. (3)
• 2017 - The Cubs sign free agent P Tyler Chatwood to a three-year deal worth $38 million. While Chatwood led the NL with 15 losses last year, he has also posted excellent road ERAs for the last two seasons and is seen as a potential break-out candidate now that he no longer needs to pitch his home games in Coors Field. (3)
• Cubs birthdays: Ed Morris, Don Johnson, Jorge Comellas, Mark Freeman, Don Cardwell, Scot Thompson, Ryan Theriot, Kyle Hendricks. Also notable: Johnny Bench 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!