Baseball history unpacked, March 25

... 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:

• 1891 - Albert Spalding retires from active participation in the affairs of the Chicago Colts club and the National League. James A. Hart will assume the club presidency. (3)
• 1914 - Babe Ruth makes his first start of his professional career when he defeats the world champion Philadelphia Athletics, 6-2, in an exhibition game played in Wilmington, N.C. The 19 year-old Red Sox rookie left-hander had faced 29 batters in relief, allowing just six hits to earn a spot in manager Jack Dunn’s rotation. (1)
• 1962 - Elvin Tappe is named as the Chicago Cubs’ first “head coach” of the season in team’s college of coaches plan. Chicago hasn’t had a manager since 1960. (1,3)
• 1985 - A judge in Illinois rules that state laws prohibiting night baseball at Wrigley Field are constitutional. The Chicago Cubs had previously sued to have the laws overturned after Major League Baseball took away one of the Cubs’ home games during the 1984 NLCS. (1,3)
• Cubs birthdays: Frank Dwyer, Bill Carney, Polly McLarry, Denver Grigsby, Dutch Leonard, Jim Ellis, Jeff Kunkel, Scott Sanders, Neal Cotts. Also notable: Tom Glavine (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.

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