Baseball history unpacked, July 23

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:

• 1917 - The Cubs sweep a doubleheader with Brooklyn on two shutouts. Grover Alexander wins the opener, 3-0, and Phil Douglas shuffles in to take the nightcap, 6-0. (3)
• 1944 - In the eighth inning of the second game of a doubleheader, Giants manager Mel Ott orders his pitcher Andy Hansen to issue an intentional walk with the bases loaded to Bill Nicholson. The free pass to Swish, who has hit four home runs in the twin bill, doesn’t work when the Cubs score three runs to tie the game. (1)
• 1962 - Jackie Robinson becomes the first black player inducted into the Hall of Fame. Joining the Dodger infielder in the Cooperstown ceremony are fireballer Bob Feller, veteran manager Bill McKechnie, and outfielder Edd Roush. (1,4,5)
• 1962 - The first telecast of a major league via satellite includes a portion of the Cubs 4-3 victory over Phillies from Wrigley Field. Chicago broadcaster Jack Brickhouse provides the play-by-play of the Telstar Communications transmission. (1)

• 1970 - At Wrigley Field, Milt Pappas shuts out the Reds in a Cubs 1-0 win. It is the only shutout of the year against the Reds, tying the National League record. Jim McGlothlin takes the loss. (3)
• 1979 - At Wrigley Field, the Reds and Cubs complete a game suspended on May 10th because the Cubs had to catch a plane. That contest was tied 7-7 after nine innings. Both teams score in the 11th and the Cubs win in the 18th on a run-scoring single by Steve Ontiveros. The Cubs then win the regularly-scheduled game, 2-1, with Willie Hernandez getting the victory. (3)
• 1991 - During an 8-5 Chicago win, Cincinnati P Rob Dibble throws a ball at Cubs OF Doug Dascenzo as Dascenzo runs to first base. Dibble is fined by the league office, but not suspended. Cubs OF Andre Dawson bumps umpire Joe West and will be suspended for one game and fined $1,000. (2,3)
• 2020 - Commissioner Rob Manfred springs a surprise on everyone as he announces a modified postseason format for this year only. There will be eight teams participating from each league: the two teams with the best records in each division, and the ones with the two next best records in the league. The teams will be seeded one to eight. The Wild Card Game will be replaced by a preliminary round with all teams participating, played in best-of-three format, with all games played in the better-ranked team’s ballpark. (3)

Cubs birthdays: Ginger Beaumont, Ed Holley, Ival Goodman, Chuck Crim, Nomar Garciaparra, Joe Mather. Also notable: Pee Wee Reese HOF, Don Drysdale 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!