A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Happy birthday, Mike Harkey, and other stories for 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:
- 1943 – Brooklyn Dodgers manager Leo Durocher signs his 1944 contract, which calls for a base salary of $20,000 plus $5,000 for every 100,000 fans over 600,000. (2)
- 1965 – Leo Durocher becomes manager of the Chicago Cubs, replacing Lou Klein. (2)
- 1973 – The Chicago Cubs trade six-time 20-game winner Ferguson Jenkins to the Texas Rangers for third baseman Bill Madlock and utility man Vic Harris. (1,2)
- 1978 – Gaylord Perry of the San Diego Padres becomes the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues. Perry cops the National League honor with a 21-6 record and a 2.72 ERA. (1,2)
- 2016 – The Cleveland wins Game 1 of the World Series, 6-0 over the Cubs, who are making their first appearance in the Fall Classic since 1945. Corey Kluber pitches six scoreless innings during which he strikes out nine, while the Indians score twice off Jon Lester in the bottom of the 1st, on a dribbler by José Ramírez that travels barely 20 feet, and when Brandon Guyer is hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Roberto Perez later homers twice to put the game away. (2)
Cubs Birthdays: Jack Doyle, Tom Stanton, Vic Aldridge, Russ Meyer, Bobby Thomson, Pete Mikkelsen, Mike Harkey*, Terrell Lowery, Alberto Cabrera, Tyler Payne. Also notable: Pedro Martinez HOF.
Today in History:
- 1131 – Louis VII the Young crowned King of France.
- 1415 – Battle of Agincourt: Henry V’s forces defeat a larger French army as the longbow overcomes the armored knight at Azincourt, France.
- 1854 – Infamous “Charge of the Light Brigade” during the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War results in over 100 deaths.
- 1923 – Senate committee publishes first report on Teapot Dome scandal.
- 1968 – Chicago recognizes Jean Baptiste Pointe de Sable as its first settler.
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.
- 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 as possible. But it isn’t brain surgery.
Also, the ‘history’ segment is highly edited for space and interest. Of course a great many other things happened on those days. We try to follow up on the interesting or unfamiliar ones.
Thanks for reading.