Baseball history unpacked, May 3

... 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:

• 1896 - With an overflow crowd of 17,231 at West Side Grounds, the umpire rules that any ball hit into the crowd is a ground rule triple. The Chicago Colts take advantage and crack nine triples, including three by Bill Dahlen, to crush the St. Louis Browns, 16-7. (3)
• 1936 - Joe DiMaggio makes his major league debut for the New York Yankees and has three hits in a 14 - 5 victory over the St. Louis Browns. (3)
• 1975 - After taking the mound against the Rangers in the second inning at Arlington Stadium, Nolan Ryan finds a rubber snake and a large rubber crab when he reaches for the rosin bag. The Angels right-hander, who gets the victory when the Halos beat Texas, 4-2, suspects opposing manager Billy Martin for the shenanigans, calling the prank a “Little League stunt.” (1,4)
• 1980 - Ferguson Jenkins of the Texas Rangers becomes the fourth pitcher in major league history to win 100 or more games in each league. Jenkins beats the Baltimore Orioles, 3 - 2 at Arlington Stadium, as he joins Cy Young, Jim Bunning and Gaylord Perry in the exclusive club. (1,3)
• 1986 - Chicago Cubs third baseman Ron Cey hits his 300th and 301st career home runs and Chicago scores four times in the top of the 9th inning to beat the Giants, 6 - 5. (2,3)
• 2012 - Ryan Dempster of the Cubs and Homer Bailey of the Reds both celebrate their birthday by pitching against each other. It is believed to be the first time in major league history that opposing starting pitchers are both pitching on their birthdays. (3)

Cubs birthdays: George Gore, John Hollison, Frank Morrissey, Ralph Michaels, Chris Cannizzaro, Davey Lopes, Joe Kmak, Ryan Dempster. Also notable: Eppa Rixey HOF, Red Ruffing HOF.

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!