By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 19th, 2023
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3477 Views
~Phil Cavarretta 1916–2010 (Cubs 1934-1954) Philabuck, as he was known, had a tremendous career for the Chicago Cubs. The local Chicago boy (Lane Tech High School) wore a Cubs uniform for twenty seasons, including the last few when he was a player/manager. Phil was Mr. Cub before Ernie Banks. H...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 18th, 2023
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3161 Views
~Larry McLean 1881–1921 (Cubs 1903) Larry had a 13-year big league career as a catcher and first baseman, but he only played one game for the Cubs in 1903, and went 0 for 4, with a walk. Granted, that walk came with the bases loaded, so he does have one RBI in a Cubs uniform. […]...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Jul 17th, 2023
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7296 Views
July 18, 1910 The poem “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon” written by Franklin Adams was published in the New York Evening Mail. It’s probably the most famous poem ever written about the Cubs, and it was so memorable it probably got Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance elected into...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 17th, 2023
1 Comment
4401 Views
~Don Kessinger 1942– (Cubs 1964-1975) Kessinger had a brilliant career with the Cubs, holding down the starting shortstop position for over a decade during the Cubs resurgence of the late 60s/early 70s. Kessinger was an All-Star five years in a row (68-72) and a two-time Gold Glover. He and Gle...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Jul 16th, 2023
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8257 Views
July 16, 1916. In the midst of their first year playing in this fancy new ballpark, the Chicago Cubs become the first team to allow their fans to keep the balls hit into the stands. That was the brainchild of their owner Charlie Weeghman (photo), who was a marketing visionary. It wasn’t long be...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 16th, 2023
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3294 Views
~Lee Elia 1937– (Cubs player 1968, Cubs manager 1982-1983) Elia was a big league shortstop who got a cup of coffee as a player with the Cubs in 1968. He got 3 hits in 17 at-bats. The following spring he was traded to the Yankees for Nate Oliver. Cubs fans don’t remember Lee for his […]...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 15th, 2023
1 Comment
3997 Views
~Bubbles Hargrave 1892–1969 (Cubs 1913-1915) His real name was Eugene Hargrave, but everyone called him Bubbles because he stuttered every time he said a word that started with the letter “B”. As much as Bubbles hated his nickname, he must have known that it could have been worse. His younger b...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 14th, 2023
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3007 Views
~Steve Stone 1947– (Cubs 1974-1976) Of course we all remember Steve Stone’s long run as the TV color man for the Cubs, but he also pitched for them three seasons in the mid-70s (‘74-‘76). The Cubs acquired him from the White Sox (along with catcher Steve Swisher) for Ron Santo, who toiled away ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Jul 14th, 2023
1 Comment
4736 Views
How long ago was 1908? The Cubs are facing their arch rivals this week, the New York Giants. Two of the most memorable games of the rivalry take place at the 4-game series at West Side Grounds. One day Giants star pitcher Christy Mathewson (photo) is called on as a relief pitcher after he thought [&h...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 13th, 2023
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3857 Views
~Footsie Blair 1900–1982 (Cubs 1929-1931) His real name was Clarence Vick Blair, and he was primarily a backup second baseman (he also backed up 1B and 3B) with the Cubs from 1929-1931. In 1930, he became the regular second baseman after Rogers Hornsby broke his ankle. That 1930 team had five f...
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