Baseball history unpacked, June 1

The simCubs took the third game of the series from the Reds behind the splendid pitching of Tyler Chatwood and Alec Mills, with a save from Craig Kimbrel after Tyler Olson gave up a game-tying deep fly to Eugenio Suarez that was countered by a clutch solo homer from Willson Contreras in the bottom of the eighth.

The Jasons, Heyward and Kipnis, were again instrumental in the victory. Ian Happ’s bat sang sweetly and launched both a long ball and a run-scoring grounder that was captured by a fine defensive play by the Reds’ second baseman. Brad Wieck was also effective in a brief appearance, as he has been all season. Lots of highlights!

Today the Cubs close the series against Tyler Mahle. Yu Darvish will take the hill for the Cubs. 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:

• 1925 - Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees pinch-hits for Pee Wee Wanninger, beginning his streak of playing in 2,130 consecutive games. The next day, first baseman Wally Pipp shows up with the after-effects of a concussion, and Gehrig takes over. It is Gehrig’s only pinch-hit appearance. (3)
• 1943 - Rip Sewell of the Pirates throws his dew-drop ball in a game. Sewell loops the ball 18 to 20 feet high on its way to the strike zone. Later it is called a blooper or eephus ball. The pitch is more than a gag, and Sewell is on his way to a 20-win season. (2)
• 1966 - Ron Santo, who will go on to establish a modern-day Cubs mark by hitting in 28 consecutive games, goes hitless the day after the streak begins, but his run at the record stays intact. The Cubs’ infielder receives four walks and is hit by a pitch in his five plate appearances, keeping his one-game streak alive in the team’s 4-3 loss to Philadelphia at Connie Mack Stadium. (1)
• 2000 - As owners struggle over the question of realignment, the Players Association suggests a simpler plan which only moves the Houston Astros from the NL Central to the AL West, thus creating two 15-team leagues. The owners’ ideas would have the newest franchises, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks, switch leagues, the elimination of the National League wild card, and the AL Central consisting of six teams to go along with six divisions with only four teams - four of them in the NL. In the end, the status quo will prevail, but the Players Association’s plan will eventually be implemented in 2013. (1,3)
• 2003 - After being taunted by Twinkie-waving fans in the left-field bleachers, the not-so-svelte Lance Berkman, during a pitching change in the seventh inning, gestures to his Wrigley Field tormentors to throw him one of the sponge cake snacks, which he promptly chows down, much to the delight of the crowd. The next inning, the Astro outfielder goes deep, hitting a sugar-fueled two-run home run in the team’s 9-3 win over the Cubs. (1)
• Cubs birthdays: George Decker, Bill Eagan, Harry McChesney, Joel Newkirk, Jim McKnight, Randy Hundley, Carlos Zambrano.

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.