Baseball history unpacked, July 22

... 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-threaded seams from the rich tapestry of Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball history*.

Today in baseball history:

• 1923 - At Cleveland’s Dunn Field, Walter Johnson fans the Tribe’s Stan Coveleski to become the first pitcher in major league history to strike out 3,000 batters. The Senator legend’s milestone will not be reached again until Cardinals right-hander Bob Gibson accomplishes the feat in 1974. (1)
• 1932 - Billy Jurges, shot on July 6th, returns to the Cubs lineup. (3)
• 1951 - With the Cubs 10 games under .500 at 35-45, Phil Cavarretta replaces Frankie Frisch as manager. They will go 27-47 the rest of the way to finish in last place. (3)
• 1965 - Ed Bailey hits a grand slam and drives in eight runs, as the Cubs beat the Phillies, 10-6, at Wrigley Field. (3)
• 1977 - Rick Reuschel allows just four hits as the Cubs beat the Braves, 1-0.
• 1979 - In the first of two at Wrigley Field, the Reds roll over the Cubs, 12-1, behind Bill Bonham. Johnny Bench ties the National League record by collecting five walks and Dave Concepcion hits an 8th-inning grand slam off Willie Hernandez to put the score in double digits. The Cubs come back in the second game to win, 8-4. (3)
• 1986 - The Cubs fire their ball girl, Marla Collins, when it is revealed that she posed nude for Playboy magazine. The photos will appear in the October issue and accompany shots of Marla in her Cubs uniform and one of Harry Caray pointing to a tattoo on her right thigh. The Cubs win today, 6-4, behind Ed Lynch, who ties a National League record in the first inning by making three putouts. The record was set in 1975 by another Cub, Rick Reuschel. (3)
• 2012 - Ron Santo, who died at the end of 2010 disappointed about not being selected for Cooperstown, is inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame. In tribute of the team’s former third baseman and beloved broadcaster, the Cubs click their heels as they jumped over the third-base line to begin the bottom of the first inning during their game in St. Louis, invoking the memory of the Chicago infielder’s signature move after a victory. (1)
• 2013- The Cubs trade P Matt Garza to Texas in return for Mike Olt, C.J. Edwards, Justin Grimm, and Neil Ramirez. (1,3)
• Cubs birthdays: Cliff Johnson, Scott Sanderson. Also notable: Jesse Haines HOF

SimCubs news:

Tuesday was the last livestream unless something changes. The simCubs went out on the right foot with a walk-off victory against the simChiSox as the two teams combined for a Major-League-Record-Tying dozen home runs (by my count) in a ridiculously entertaining game with plenty of lead changes.

Anthony Rizzo was named Player of the Game but it could have been any one of about six players. Alec Mills was not spectacular but the bullpen held at last and Dan Winkler got his third win.

Thanks to all you ersatz Cubs fans for watching. It’s been interesting. Maybe we’ll be back. The ‘rona will decide, I suspect.

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.