Baseball history unpacked, April 30

... on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue brings a you a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow along as we review select snapshots from the big picture of Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball history.

Today in baseball history:

• 1887 - In front of nearly 10,000 at Pittsburgh’s Recreation Park, the Alleghenys play their first game in the National League, defeating the defending league-champion Chicago White Stockings, 6-2. The former American Association team, who will become known as the Pirates in 1891, will post a 55-69 record, finishing in sixth place in the eight-team circuit. (1)
• 1922 - Charlie Robertson, in only his fourth career start, becomes the third modern pitcher to throw a perfect no-hit, no-run game when he beats the Tigers at Navin Field, 2-0. The White Sox hurler, thanks to Johnny Mostil’s two outstanding catches in the outfield, is also the fourth modern-era rookie to throw a no-hitter. (1,3)
• 1939 - At Yankee Stadium, Lou Gehrig’s streak and career come to an end as the ‘Iron Horse’ plays his final game, going 0-for-4 in a 3-2 loss to the Senators. The ailing Yankees first baseman, who has only four hits this season, played in 2,130 consecutive games and compiled a .340 batting average with 490 home runs during his 17 Hall of Fame seasons with the Yankees. (1)
• 1940 - The Dodgers tie the major league mark for consecutive wins from the beginning of the season with style as James ‘Tex’ Carleton no-hits the Reds, 3-0, for the team’s ninth straight victory since Opening Day. (1,3)
• 1946 - In the game he considers his biggest thrill in baseball, Indian hurler Bob Feller, striking out 11 batters, throws his second career no-hitter, edging the Yankees at the Stadium, 1-0. Frankie Hayes’ home run in the top of the ninth inning proves to be the difference. (1)
• 1949 - At Wrigley Field, Rocky Nelson of the St. Louis Cardinals hits an “inside-the-glove” two-run home run to turn a ninth-inning, 3-2 Chicago Cubs lead into a 4-3 Cardinals victory. Cubs center fielder Andy Pafko catches a blooper that is strewn with paper cups, and umpire Al Barlick calls Nelson safe on a supposedly “trapped” catch. Pafko starts arguing with Barlick, and forgets to call time. Nelson circles the bases, for perhaps the only “inside the glove” home run in history. (3)
• 1967 - Steve Barber and Stu Miller of the Baltimore Orioles combine on a no-hitter, but still lose the game to the Detroit Tigers, 2-1. A wild Barber gives up 10 walks in eight and one-third innings before giving way to Miller, who pitches one-third of an inning. (3)
• 1969 - Jim Maloney strikes out 13 batters en route to no-hitting the Astros at Crosley Field. The 10-0 victory is the Reds hurler’s third no-hitter of his career. (1,3)
• 1970 - Billy Williams becomes the first National Leaguer to play in 1,000 consecutive games. The Cubs’ outfielder streak, which started in 1962, will end in two seasons after the future Hall of Famer plays in 1,117 straight contests, setting a National League record. (1,3)
• 2005 - Major league players are asked by Commissioner Bud Selig to agree to a 50-game suspension for the first offense, a 100-game suspension for the second offense and a lifelong ban after the third offense for the use of steroids. In addition to the harsher “three-strike” rule, the commissioner is also seeking a ban on amphetamines. (1,3)

Cubs birthdays: Dave Eggler, Charley Jones, Tony Murray, Jumbo Brown, Bob Hendley, Joe Strain. More on Joe Strain from BCB.

Common 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.

There is a very active baseball history community and there are many facets to their views. We strive for clarity. Please let us know (nicely) if you feel that an item is in error and we will address that issue to the originator(s), if at all possible.

Thanks for reading!