Baseball history unpacked, June 14

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

Today in baseball history:

• 1870 - At the Capitoline Grounds in Brooklyn, the Cincinnati Red Stockings see their 130-game consecutive winning streak (81 official games and 49 exhibitions) come to an end, losing to the Atlantics in extra innings, 8-7. During the game, in an effort not to hit the ball to George Wright, the opponents’ slick-fielding shortstop, hometown third baseman, and captain, Bob Ferguson, bats left-handed, becoming the first-known switch-hitter in baseball history. (1,4)
• 1876 - George Hall of the Philadelphia Athletics becomes the first major league player to hit for the cycle. He will also become the first player to be banned, along with others, for throwing a 3½-game lead with 12 games to go in 1877. (3)
• 1952 - Boston Braves pitcher Warren Spahn ties the National League record of Jim Whitney with 18 strikeouts in an 15-inning, 3-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Spahn’s home run is the only Braves run. On the same day, Braves scout Dewey Griggs signs Hank Aaron to a contract. (3)

Box score.

• 1965 - Jim Maloney of the Cincinnati Reds no-hits the New York Mets for 10 innings and ties a National League record with 18 strikeouts in an extra-inning game, but loses the game when Johnny Lewis hits a lead-off home run in the 11th inning that gives the Mets a 1-0 win. (3)

Box score.

• 1995 - Mike Benjamin goes 6-for-7, five singles and a double, and drives in the winning run in the 13th inning of the Giants’ 4-3 victory over Chicago at Wrigley Field. The Giants third baseman sets a major league record by getting 14 hits in three games. (1,3)
• 1996 - Cal Ripken, Jr. sets a new consecutive games record by playing in his 2,216th consecutive game. The previous mark of 2,215 was held by Hiroshima Carp third baseman Sachio Kinugasa while playing in the Japanese Central League. (3)
• 2005 - After being asked to investigate in the seventh inning, the umpires examine Brendan Donnelly’s glove for a foreign substance and discover illegal pine tar. The Angel pitcher, who claims he uses the material to control sweating, is tossed, resulting in his skipper Mike Scioscia and Nationals manager Frank Robinson exchanging angry words, which incites a brawl, clearing both benches and bullpens. (1,3,4)

Cubs birthdays: Doc Parker, Hal Manders, Bud Hardin, Jerry Spradlin.

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.