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 Ronny Cedeno*, the Cubs go back to flannel, and other stories.
Today in baseball history:
- 1876 – The National League is formed in New York City at the instigation of William Hulbert, owner of the Chicago White Stockings, in reaction to the lack of central direction in the fledgling National Association. The new circuit will field eight teams in its inaugural season and will become the blueprint for professional team sports in North America. (2)
- 1925 – The N.L. inaugurates its Golden Jubilee Year by holding its spring meeting in the same room of New York’s Broadway Central Hotel where the league was founded on February 2, 1876. (1)
- 1930 – The New York Yankees waive shortstop Leo Durocher, who batted only .246 in 1929. The future Hall of Fame manager will eventually sign with the Cincinnati Reds. (2)
- 1936 – The Baseball Writers Association of America announces the results of the first Hall of Fame vote. Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson and Honus Wagner comprise the inaugural class of Hall of Fame members. Several other stars like Cy Young fail to make the grade, but will enter the Hall in later elections. (2)
- 1943 – After experimenting with a vest worn over knit jerseys, the Cubs return to conventional baggy flannels for 1943. The outfitting change saves the organization $2,000 on the cost of uniforms. (1)
- 1989 – Former All-Star first baseman Bill White is elected president of the National League. White succeeds Chub Feeney, becoming the first African-American to be named president of either league and the highest-ranking black executive in the four major sports. (1,2)
- 2005 – The trade that sent Sammy Sosa to the Baltimore Orioles from the Chicago Cubs is finalized after Commissioner Bud Selig approves the deal and the slugger passes his physical. Chicago receives second baseman Jerry Hairston, Jr. and two minor leaguers, then signs Jeromy Burnitz as a free agent to replace Sosa in right field. (2)
- 2018 – Frustration over the slow pace of free agent signings continues, which some observers think is a sign of a return of collusion. The latest salvo in the ongoing war of words comes from agent Brodie Van Wagenen, who claims that players may decide to boycott the start of spring training if things do not improve quickly. (2)
Cubs Birthdays: Pat Tabler, Warren Brusstar, Paul Kilgus, Ronny Cedeno*, Scott Maine, Dan Winkler. Also notable: Red Schoendienst
HoF
Today in History:
- 1536 – Pedro de Mendoza founds Argentine city of Buenos Aires.
- 1653 – New Amsterdam becomes a city (later renamed New York)
- 1709 – British sailor Alexander Selkirk is rescued by William Dampier after being marooned on a desert island for five years, his story inspires “Robinson Crusoe.”
- 1848 – Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican–American War: US acquires Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona for $15 million
- 1901 – Queen Victoria’s funeral takes place in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, England
- 1922 – James Joyce’s “Ulysses” published in Paris (1,000 copies)
- 1971 – Idi Amin ousts Milton Obote and appoints himself President (dictator) of Uganda
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.
