Baseball history unpacked, April 15

Well, the simCubs came out on top of the first game of two in Baltimore. SimJason Heyward continued to be a power threat with his 4th and 5th homers of the season, his second being the 150th of his career. SimKyle Hendricks was again splendid, throwing zeroes with regularity in a game unfortunately fraught with difficulties of a technical nature as the PlayStation Network experienced high traffic during the middle innings.

Everyone held on for the wild ride, even unto jumping onto the third track for the final three innings. Trey Mancini, on the injured list in real life, clubbed a three-run bomb, which made things interesting for a while, but not too interesting, as the Orioles are bad, and Craig Kimbrel came out to do some work and fired darts this time to finish the game off.

Game data is already up at the BCB Media Center — Starting pitchers, lineups and more.

Al will have more information about that game in the game post at 2:30 pm CT, for our 3 p.m. start. I’ll drop the specific URL to the contest in the game thread, but you can lurk at the BCB Media Center and catch it there as well. All past games and highlights reels are available there too, if you want the full #simCubs experience.

... 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:

• 1911 - At the age of 24, Grover Cleveland Alexander makes his major league debut, losing a 5-4 decision to the Rustlers on an unearned run in the tenth inning at Boston’s South End Grounds. The Philadelphia rookie who will become known as ‘Old Pete,’ will go on to post a 28-13 (.683) record, which will include seven shutouts and 31 complete games. (1)
• 1921 - At Redland Field, Pirates right-hander Chief Yellow Horse makes his major league debut against the Reds. The Pittsburgh hurler, a member of a North American Plains Indian tribe called the Pawnee, is believed by many baseball historians to be the first full-blooded American Indian to play in the big leagues. (1)
• 1942 - At Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis, Hiram “Hi” Bithorn becomes the first Puerto Rican to play in major league baseball. The Cubs right-handed pitcher from Santurce makes a relief appearance in the 4-2 loss to the Cardinals. (1,3)
• 1947 - 28-year-old Jackie Robinson makes a historic debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African-American to play major league baseball in the 20th century. Robinson goes 0 for 3 in his debut, but scores the deciding run in a 5-3 victory over the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field. He handles 11 chances at first base, a new position for him. Coach Clyde Sukeforth, interim manager and the man credited with first scouting Robinson, guides the Dodgers to two victories before stepping down. Robinson is the first black player to appear in the majors since 1884. (3)
• 1997 - The 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s breaking the color barrier in major league baseball is celebrated before 54,047 at Shea Stadium during a game between the Mets and the Dodgers. U.S. President Bill Clinton and Jackie’s widow, Rachel Robinson, both speak during the 35-minute presentation, but the surprise of the evening occurs when acting Commissioner Bud Selig announces that Robinson’s number 42 will be retired in perpetuity for every team. On the field, the Mets beat the Dodgers, 5 - 0. (3)
• 2004 - Fifty-seven years after the historic event, major league baseball begins the tradition of Jackie Robinson Day, an annual celebration marking the day the color line was broken. At big league parks across the country there are ceremonies honoring the ground-breaking Brooklyn Dodgers second baseman, including Commissioner Bud Selig joining his widow, Rachel Robinson, for a Shea Stadium tribute. (1,3)
• 2009 - Every player in Major League Baseball wears number 42 today on Jackie Robinson Day.
• Cubs birthdays: Sy Sutcliffe, King Cole, Ed Bailey, Ted Sizemore, Mike Diaz, Jeromy Burnitz, Milton Bradley.

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.

Thanks for reading!