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:
- 1899 - The fledging American League owners meet to map a strategy against the established National League. They agree to place a team in Chicago with Charles Comiskey as the owner-manager of the franchise. (2)
- 1915 - Organized Baseball and the Federal League sign a peace treaty at Cincinnati, ending their two-year war. The FL agrees to go out of existence, but the Major Leagues pay an enormous price: $600,000 for distribution to FL owners; amalgamation of two FL franchises, one each into National League and American League; recognition of FL players’ eligibility, and agreement to bid for them in a Fed-controlled auction. The owners of the Baltimore Terrapins, hoping to get the Cardinals, balk, but conferees, eager for settlement, defer their claims - a decision they will repent at leisure when the Baltimore owners take their grievance all the way to the Supreme Court. (1,2)
- 1953 - Jack Dunn III officially turns over the name “Orioles” to the major league franchise. His family had successfully operated the International League Orioles franchise for years in Baltimore, Maryland. (1,2)
- 1980 - The Boston Red Sox mail Fred Lynn and Carlton Fisk their new contracts two days after the Basic Agreement’s December 20 deadline. Boston’s blunder make their All-Stars eligible for free agency. (2)
- 1999 - In an interview in Sports Illustrated magazine, Atlanta Braves P John Rocker offends virtually every race and ethnic group in a hateful outburst. Community leaders, media, management, coaches and teammates alike call for action to be taken against the lefthander who had 38 saves for Atlanta this past season. (2)
- 2012 - Former utility player Ryan Freel is found dead in his Jacksonville, FL home, victim of an apparent suicide at 36. (2)
Cubs birthdays: Elrod Hendricks*. Also notable: Connie Mack HOF, Steve Carlton HOF.
Today in world history:
- 1775 - Continental navy organized with seven ships.
- 1807 - US Congress passes Embargo Act and President Thomas Jefferson signs into law. Prohibits American ships from trading in foreign ports, as result of involvement in hostilities between France and Britain.
- 1877 - Thomas Edison’s phonograph is announced by Scientific American.
- 1943 - Manufacturers get permission to use synthetic rubber for baseball core.
- 1964 - American comedian Lenny Bruce is convicted of obscenity.
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.
- For world 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.
Also please remember that this is supposed to be fun.
Thank you for your cooperation. And thanks for reading!
*Pictured.