Baseball history unpacked, May 11

The simCubs failed to take all three games against the Nationals and Mom had to settle for meat loaf. She was not pleased.

It was a good game but it ended up wrong. Some of the games plays were flat-out weird, like there being men on first and second after a drive off the wall with a man on. That was so wrong that it started raining here. Almost as wrong as Brandon Palmer’s lineup yesterday, which he refused to defend when asked.

Today at Wrigley, Freddy Peralta (1-1, 6.35) and the Brewers will face Kyle Hendricks (6-0, 1.82) and the Cubs. Al will have more information about the game in the game post at 2:30 pm CT, Tuesday, 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 hand-picked scenes from the rich tapestry of Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball history*.

Today in baseball history:

• 1897 - In National League action, Washington Senators catcher Duke Farrell picks up eight assists in a game against the Baltimore Orioles. For many years, record books will credit him with eight runners caught stealing, but that is incorrect. Only five of the assists were on stolen base attempts; one came on a pick-off and the last two on other fielding plays. In spite of Farrell’s efforts, the Senators lose anyway, 6-3. (3)
• 1919 - Reds’ right-hander Hod Eller of the Cincinnati Reds pitches a no-hitter to beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 6-0. The ace of the eventual world champs strikes out eight while walking three batters on a cold day at Cincinnati’s Redland Field. (1,3)
• 1946 - In front of the largest crowd in 13 years, the New York Giants defeat the Boston Braves, 5-1, in the first night game played at Braves Field. The 37,407 fans are surprised as their hometown heroes enter the field wearing shiny satin uniforms designed to reflect the light generated by the electricity used for the evening contest. (1,3)

• 1955 - Ernie Banks hits a grand slam — the first of five on the year — to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 10-8 victory that snaps the Brooklyn Dodgers’ 11-game winning streak. (1,3)
• 1963 - Sandy Koufax pitches the second of four career no-hitters to help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat San Francisco, 8-0. (3)
• 1998 - Kerry Wood of the Chicago Cubs sets the major league record for strikeouts in consecutive games (33) by fanning 13 Arizona Diamondbacks in a 4-2 victory. The record for strikeouts in two starts had been 32, set by Luis Tiant in 1968 and matched by Nolan Ryan (1974), Dwight Gooden (1984) and Randy Johnson (1997). (1,3)
• 2000 - The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs, 14-8, in the longest nine-inning game in National League history: 4 hours, 22 minutes. The teams tie the major league record set in the American League by Baltimore and the Yankees on September 5, 1997. (3)

Cubs birthdays: Jim Connor, Dewey Adkins, Gene Hermanski, Mel Wright, Milt Pappas, Jerry Martin. Also notable: Charlie Gehringer 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. Thanks for reading, and please drive safely.