Lots of firsts, several final games. Today in World Series history. Happy Birthday to HoFer Rube Waddell* and others, including the immortal Pickles Dillhoefer!
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Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, 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.
Today in baseball history:
- 1870 – An estimated 20,000 fans pack Dexter Park in Chicago, IL to watch the Chicago White Stockings defeat the Cincinnati Red Stockings, 16-13. Chicago finishes the season with a record of 65-8, making them the unofficial national champions. (2)
- 1903 – In Game 8, the Boston Pilgrims win the first modern-day World Series. Bill Dineen pitches a 3-0 complete game against Pittsburgh, as Deacon Phillippe hurls his fifth complete game of the Series, but takes the loss. Boston wins the best-of-nine series, five games to three. (1,2)
- 1914 – The Boston Braves complete a remarkable sweep of the Philadelphia Athletics, the first in World Series history. Dick Rudolph pitches a complete game 3-1 victory for the Braves, who were 15 games out of first place in early July. (1,2)
- 1921 – In the first “Subway Series” ever, the New York Giants defeat the New York Yankees, 1-0, to take the World Series, five games to three. The only run of the game scores on a 1st-inning error by Yankees shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh. (2)
- 1960 – Bill Mazeroski of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits one of the most dramatic home runs in World Series history. Maz’s leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against Ralph Terry of the New York Yankees gives Pittsburgh a stunning 10 – 9 win in Game 7. (2)
- 1970 – In the World Series, the Baltimore Orioles win their third straight over the Cincinnati Reds, 9-3, with winning pitcher Dave McNally slugging a grand slam. Frank Robinson and Don Buford also hit home runs and third baseman Brooks Robinson continues his excellence on defense as he makes two spectacular grabs in the field. (2)
- 1971 – The Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates play the first night game in World Series history. Roberto Clemente bats three hits and rookie catcher Milt May delivers a game-winning pinch-hit in Pittsburgh’s 4-3 comeback victory. (2)
- 1993 – Tommy Greene of the Philadelphia Phillies outpitches Greg Maddux and the Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves, 6-3, to win the NLCS in six games. (2)
- 2015 – For the first time in their history, the Cubs clinch a postseason series in Wrigley Field when they defeat the Cardinals, 6-4, in Game 4 of the NLDS. The Cardinals take an early lead on a two-run homer by Stephen Piscotty in the first, but the Cubs reply with a four-run 2nd, highlighted by a three-run shot by Javier Baez. After the Cardinals tie the score in the sixth, solo homers by Anthony Rizzo in the sixth and Kyle Schwarber in the seventh, both off Kevin Siegrist, send Chicago to the NLCS. (2)
Cubs Birthdays: Rube Waddell HOF*, Pickles Dillhoefer, Charlie Silvera, George Frazier, Mike Capel, Bryan Hickerson, Damian Miller, Kennie Steenstra. Also notable: Eddie Mathews HOF, Trevor Hoffman HOF.
Today in History:
- 54 – Agrippina the Younger murders her husband, Roman Emperor Claudius, with poison to secure the line of succession for her son Nero.
- 1269 – The new gothic style Westminster Abbey is consecrated by Henry III after the bones of Edward the Confessor are transferred to it. Construction began in 1220.
- 1448 – First assembly of Catalan dioceses to choose their syndics (representative) to plead abolition of serfdom to King Alfonso IV – first official recognition of serfs organizing to defend their rights.
- 1773 – The Whirlpool Galaxy discovered by French astronomer Charles Messier.
- 1914 – American inventor Garrett Morgan patents his safety hood device, which is later refined into the gas mask.
- 1976 – A Bolivian Boeing 707 cargo jet crashes in Santa Cruz, Bolivia killing 100 (97, mostly children, killed on the ground).
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.
Things are as near to the truth as we can get them. Some of these items spread from site to site without being fact-checked, and that is why we ask for verifiable sources, so that we can help update the records and have documentation.
