A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Hammerin’ Hank passes, and other items of interest to the discerning reader.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past, with plenty of the lore and various narratives to follow as they unfold over the course of time. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow along.
“Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly.
Today in baseball history:
- 1889 – Facing over $30,000 in debts, the Indianapolis Hoosiers go bankrupt and surrender their franchise to the National League. (2)
- 1929 – The New York Yankees announce they will put numbers on the backs of their uniforms, becoming the first baseball team to start continuous use of the numbers. The first numbers are based on positions in the batting order; thus, Babe Ruth will wear number 3 and Lou Gehrig number 4. In a few weeks, the Cleveland Indians announce that they, too, will put numbers on the uniforms. By 1931, all American League teams will use them. It will be 1933 before all National League players are numbered. (1,2)
- 1953 – Under the McCarran-Walter Act, U.S. Immigration Commissioner Argyle R. Mackey warns alien players they will face deportation if found jumping U.S. pro contracts. (2)
- 1988 – As a result of the Players Association’s 1985 collusion suit against the owners, arbitrator Thomas Roberts declares seven players no-risk free agents until March 1st, giving them a chance to sign with other clubs despite already having contracts. The seven are Juan Beniquez, Tom Brookens, Kirk Gibson, Carlton Fisk, Donnie Moore, Joe Niekro and Butch Wynegar. Gibson will jump to the Dodgers and become the National League MVP and a World Series hero to boot. (1,2)
- 2001 – Tommie Agee dies of a cardiac arrest in Manhattan at the age of 58. As the Mets’ center fielder, the 1966 American League Rookie of the Year made two memorable catches (saving possibly five runs) and hit a home run in a 5-0 Game 3 victory over the Orioles in the 1969 Fall Classic. (2)
- 2019 – Mariano Rivera becomes the first unanimous inductee in the Hall of Fame, being named on all 425 ballots cast by members of the BBWAA in the 2019 Hall of Fame Election. Joining him are fellow pitchers Roy Halladay, who becomes a posthumous first-ballot Hall of Famer, and Mike Mussina, and DH/3B Edgar Martinez, the latter in his tenth and final year of eligibility. (2)
- 2021 – Hank Aaron*, who broke Babe Ruth’s hallowed mark of 714 career homers and still stands second on the all-time list, passes away at age 86, the latest in a long list of Hall of Famers who have died over the past 12 months. (2)
Cubs birthdays: Jack Littrell, Jophery Brown, Brian Dayett, Jimmy Anderson,
Today in History:
- 702 – Military triumph of Wak Jalam Chan (Lady Six Sky), female ruler of the Maya city of Sa’aal (Naranjo) as depicted on Stela 24 Naranjo.
- 1371 – King Robert II of Scotland (1371-90) is crowned, becoming the first monarch of the House of Stewart.
- 1903 – The Hay-Herran Treaty concerning the USA’s right to the Panama Canal is signed by the Colombian Charge d’affaires in Washington, D.C. (never ratified).
- 1905 – In St Petersburg, Russia, a large demonstration of workers led by Father Gapon, march to the Winter Palace with a petition to the Tsar; troops fire on protesters in what becomes known as ‘Bloody Sunday.’
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.
- (6) — Wikipedia.
- For world history.
*pictured.
Some of these items spread from site to site without being verified. That is exactly why we ask for reputable sources if you have differences with a posted factoid. We are trying to set the record as straight