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On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue brings a you a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past, with plenty of the lore and deep dives into various narratives that expand over the course of time. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow along. Don’t be afraid to click the links for ‘inside baseball’ on the entries, which change from year to year as we re-examine the subjects.
Today in baseball history:
- 1870 - An estimated 20,000 fans pack Dexter Park in Chicago, IL to watch the Chicago White Stockings defeat the Cincinnati Red Stockings, 16-13. Chicago finishes the season with a record of 65-8, making them the unofficial national champions. (2)
- 1903 - In the eighth game, Boston wins the first modern-day World Series. Bill Dineen pitches a 3-0 complete game against Pittsburgh, as Deacon Phillippe hurls his fifth complete game of the Series, but takes the loss. Boston wins the best-of-nine series, five games to three. (1,2)
- 1914 - The Boston Braves complete a remarkable sweep of the Philadelphia Athletics, the first in World Series history. Dick Rudolph pitches a complete game 3-1 victory for the Braves, who were 15 games out of first place in early July. (1,2)
- 1921 - In the first “Subway Series” ever, the New York Giants defeat the New York Yankees, 1-0, to take the World Series, five games to three. The only run of the game scores on a first-inning error by Yankees shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh. (2)
- 1960 - Bill Mazeroski of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits one of the most dramatic home runs in World Series history. Maz’s leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against Ralph Terry of the New York Yankees gives Pittsburgh a stunning 10-9 win in Game 7. (2)
- 1971 - The Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates play the first night game in World Series history. Roberto Clemente bats three hits and rookie catcher Milt May delivers a game-winning pinch-hit in Pittsburgh’s 4-3 comeback victory.(1,2)
- 2006 - The Tigers defeat Oakland, 3-0, in Game 3 of the ALCS, with Kenny Rogers picking up the win. In the game, Mark Kiger makes his major league debut as a defensive substitute for the A’s, becoming the first player to make his debut in the postseason since Bug Holliday in 1885. Kiger will never play a regular season game during his short major league career. (2)
- 2015 - For the first time in their history, the Cubs clinch a postseason series in Wrigley Field when they defeat the Cardinals, 6-4, in Game 4 of the NLDS. The Cardinals take an early lead on a two-run homer by Stephen Piscotty in the first, but the Cubs reply with a four-run secpnd, highlighted by a three-run shot by Javier Baez. After the Cardinals tie the score in the sixth, solo homers by Anthony Rizzo in the sixth and Kyle Schwarber in the seventh, both off Kevin Siegrist, send Chicago to the NLCS. (2)
Cover boy Trevor Cahill was the winning pitcher after blowing the save. Jason Hammel was the starter. Hector Rondon logged the save.
Cubs birthdays: Rube Waddell HOF, Pickles Dillhoefer, Charlie Silvera, George Frazier, Mike Capel, Bryan Hickerson, Kennie Steenstra. Also notable: Eddie Mathews HOF, Trevor Hoffman HOF.
Common sources:
- (1) — Today in Baseball History.
- (2) — Baseball Reference.
- (3) — Society for American Baseball Research.
- (4) — Baseball Hall of Fame.
- (5) — This Day in Chicago Cubs history.
There is a very active baseball history community and there are many facets to their views. We strive for clarity. Please be aware that we are trying to make the historical record as represented by our main sources coherent and as accurate as is possible. No item is posted here without corroboration. Some of these items spread from site to site without being verified. That is exactly why we ask for reputable sources, so that we can address them to the originators. BBRef is very cooperative in this regard, as are SABR and the Baseball Almanac. We have removed thenationalpastime from our sourcing list, as there have been multiple complaints about their content and they do not respond to attempts to communicate.
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