Baseball history unpacked, May 27

The simCubs lost 2-1 to the Marlins, who hit two solo homers for their scores. David Bote singled and TOOTBLAN’d for the Cubs’ run.

There really aren’t many highlights, so I’m going to skip those. Today’s game features Pablo Lopez versus Yu Darvish. The Cubs need to win to preserve the meat loaf possibilities.

Al will have more about that in the game post Tuesday (at 2:30 p.m. CT, for our 3 p.m. start), as Monday is an off day. 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:

• 1968 - Major League Baseball expands outside the confines of the United States as the National League announces expansion for the first time in seven years, awarding franchises to Montreal as well as San Diego, to begin play next season. (1,3)
• 1981 - After Lenny Randle drops to his hands and knees in an attempt to ‘encourage’ Amos Otis’ slow roller to go foul, umpire Larry McCoy accuses the Mariner third baseman of blowing the ball foul. Randle’s explanation that he was merely yelling at the ball not to stay fair is initially convincing until Royals’ manager Jim Frey complains. (1)

• 1984 - Mario Soto, Cincinnati’s starting pitcher, is ejected from the game when he shoves Steve Rippley, the third base umpire who called Ron Cey’s foul ball down the left-field line a home run. Although the decision will be reversed, the Reds right-hander will also attack Cubs coach Don Zimmer, prompting National League president Chub Feeney to suspend the fiery fireballer for five games, the first of the two suspensions he will be given this season. (1)
• 2008 - The Indians complete a triple steal during a 8-2 win over the ChiSox. It is the first in the majors in 21 years. With a 5-2 score in the sixth and the bases loaded, Ehren Wassermann tries to pick Jamey Carroll off first base. While Carroll is in a rundown, David Dellucci dashes for home and beats Paul Konerko’s throw to Toby Hall. Grady Sizemore swipes third on the play while Carroll successfully makes it to second. (3)
• 2015 - Cubs pitcher Jon Lester sets a new record for most hitless at bats from the start of a career by going 0 for 2 in a game against the Nationals. Coming into the game, he had been tied with Joey Hamilton with 57 fruitless at-bats. (3)
• 2017 - “We are honored to pay tribute to the 25th anniversary of Homer at the Bat.The Simpsons has left an impressive imprint on our culture as the longest-running American sitcom, and ‘Homer at the Bat’ remains as popular today as when the episode aired in 1992. “ - Hall of Fame President JEFF IDELSON, commenting about the Cooperstown celebration of the animated series.

The Baseball Hall of Fame inducts fictional cartoon character Homer Simpson as part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Simpsons episode ‘Homer at the Bat.’ As part of the ceremony, a roundtable discussion of the much-beloved episode includes comments by real Hall of-Famers Wade Boggs and Ozzie Smith, who played themselves on the animated show, as well as executive producers Al Jean and Mike Reiss, director Jim Reardon, executive story editor Jeff Martin and casting director Bonnie Pietila.

• Cubs birthdays: Jimmy Hallinan, Jerry Kindall, Todd Hundley. Also notable: Frank Thomas HOF, Jeff Bagwell 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.