What is the story about?
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths.
“Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire.
Happy Birthday, Dan Plesac, and other stories.
Today in baseball history:
- 1882 – National League players are now responsible for carrying their own bats and uniforms on road trips. They are also required to purchase and keep clean two complete uniforms, including the white linen ties to be worn on the field at all times. (2)
- 1893 – The first recorded version of Casey at the Bat, as recited by Russell Hunting, hits the music charts. DeWolf Hopper’s more famous version will not be released until October. (2)
- 1956 – The Major Leagues vote to establish the Cy Young Memorial Award for the outstanding pitcher of the year. At first, there will be one award for both major leagues. (2)
- 1956 – The American League says it will test the automatic intentional walk during spring training. However, it will not be adopted in the majors until 2017. (1,2)
- 1971 – Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announces former Negro League players will have a separate wing in the Hall of Fame. Due to the controversy the announcement causes, it is decided inclusion in regular Hall of Fame is more fitting and more of an honor for the black former players. (2)
- 2005 – Needing to fill the void created by the departure of Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou, the Chicago Cubs avoid arbitration and sign Aramis Ramirez to a $8.95 million, one-year contract. Ramirez, who hit .318 with 36 home runs and 103 RBI in 2004, established club records for a third baseman. (2)
Cubs Birthdays: Germany Schaefer, Doc Miller, Pat Perry, Dan Plesac*.
Today in History:
- 960 – Coronation of Zhao Kuangyin as Emperor Taizu of the Song initiates three centuries of Song Dynasty dominance in southern China.
- 1789 – First US Electoral College chooses George Washington as President and John Adams as Vice President.
- 1931 – National League adopts a deader baseball.
- 1952 – Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American executive of a major US TV and radio station as Director of Community Activities at radio WNBC and TV station WNBT in New York.
- 1968 – Bowie Kuhn replaces William Eckert as 5th commissioner of Major League Baseball.
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.
- (7) — The British Museum
- (8) — For world history.
*pictured.
Some of these items spread from site to site without
being fact-checked, and that is why we ask for verifiable sources, in order to help correct the record.
