Baseball history unpacked, May 15

The simCubs put it on the simPadres yesterday, knocking balls over the wall as is their custom.

Tyler Chatwood started but didn’t go five full even though he looked capable of doing so as Brandon Palmer hit the gong early as is his custom and brought Jesus Luzardo into maintain the status quo. Luzardo got the W for his efforts, and added an earned run as Dan Winkler, who had relieved him, let one in trying to make a sweet double play. The Friars scored, but too little, and too late, and the Cubs will try to ensure at least a split, as is their custom, today at PetCo Park.

Al will have more information about today’s 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:

• 1862 - Baseball’s first enclosed park, the Union Grounds, opens in Brooklyn, NY. (3)
• 1912 - Ty Cobb charges into the stands at Hilltop Park in New York and attacks a crippled heckler named Claude Lueker. Other fans and Tigers mix it up before order is restored. Ban Johnson suspends Cobb indefinitely for the incident. (1,2,3)
• 1944 - In front of just 1,014 fans at Crosley Field, Reds’ hurler Clyde Shoun, in his first start of the season, no-hits the Braves, 1-0. Chuck Aleno’s only home run of the 1944 season accounts for the game’s lone run. (1)
• 1960 - Two days after being traded from the Phillies to the Cubs, Don Cardwell pitches a no-hitter. Two brilliant defensive plays — a leaping catch of Carl Sawatski’s drive by right fielder George Altman in the eighth inning and Walt Moryn’s game-ending sliding grab — save Cardwell’s gem. Ernie Banks’ home run paces the 4-0 win, the first no-hitter against the Cards since May 11, 1919. (2)
• 1971 - Fergie Jenkins (7-2) pitches and bats the Cubs to a 6-4 win over San Diego. Jenkins hits a two-run home run and finishes his seventh game in eight starts. Billy Williams connects for his 300th home run.
• 1973 - California’s Nolan Ryan strikes out 12, including the side in the 1st, and hurls his first career no-hitter in beating Kansas City, 3-0. For C Jeff Torborg, it is his third no-hitter. SS Rudy Meoli preserves the no-no with a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch in the eighth. It is the first of a record seven no-hitters the “Ryan Express” will throw during his career, including another one in two months. (2)
• 1981 - The Indians’ Len Barker pitches the 9th perfect game in 20th century major league history, 3-0 over the Blue Jays before just 7,290 fans on a rainy night at Cleveland Stadium. Last year’s American League strikeout leader, Barker fans 11. It is the 11th time in major league history the feat has been accomplished, and the first time in 13 years since it’s last been done, by Catfish Hunter in 1968. (2)
• 1997 - The Chicago Cubs hit four triples — three in the same inning - to beat the visiting Padres, 8-2. The Cubs score four runs in the seventh off Tim Scott as Brian McRae, Doug Glanville and Sammy Sosa all triple. Chicago third baseman Jose Hernandez also chips in with a run-producing three-bagger during the fourth inning of the Wrigley Field contest. (2)
• 2013 - Jeff Samardzija wins for the first time since Opening Day and hits a two-run homer off Jon Garland in the second in leading the Cubs to a 6-3 victory over the Rockies. (3)
• Cubs birthdays: Fred Goldsmith, Steve Yerkes, Ed Baecht, Fred Baczewski, Ben Johnson, Bill North, Jim Adduci. Also notable: George Brett HOF, John Smoltz 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 home safely.