By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 31st, 2023
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3537 Views
~Ramon Hernandez 1940–2009 (Cubs 1968, 1976-1977) Ramon was known for his herky-jerky deceptive delivery that worked like a charm while he was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, but not so much as a member of the Cubs. His lifetime ERA was 3.03, but those very good stats (including 46 career s...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 30th, 2023
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3469 Views
~Kiki Cuyler 1898–1950 (Cubs 1928-1935) His real name is Hazen Shirley Cuyler. Cuyler was called “Cuy” by his school teammates. It was while winning the MVP title of the Southern Association with Nashville in 1923 that he acquired the Kiki nickname. Fans heard the players shout for him to take ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1945
Aug 30th, 2023
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This week (Aug 30-Sept 5) during the last year the Cubs went to the World Series (before 2016)… World War II *The final official surrender of Japan is accepted by the Supreme Allied Commander, General Douglas MacArthur, on board the American battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. *Ho Chi Minh an...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 29th, 2023
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2959 Views
~Henry Blanco 1971– (Cubs 2005-2008) Affectionately called Hank White by the Cubs broadcasters (Blanco means White), Blanco was a backup catcher for the Cubs for two of their playoff years (2007-2008). The veteran served as a stabilizing force for the pitching staff and also provided a little p...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 28th, 2023
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3578 Views
~Charlie Grimm 1898–1983 (Cubs player 1925-1936, Cubs manager 1932-1938, 1944-1949, 1960) They called Charlie Grimm “Jolly Cholly” because he was a fun-loving guy who always seemed to be happy during his 20 seasons as a player. He played the banjo to loosen up the team on long train rides, and ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Aug 28th, 2023
1 Comment
4170 Views
September 1, 1918 For the first time in baseball history, the season was ended a month early, by mutual agreement between baseball and President Wilson. Baseball was hit hard by the World War I. Some of the greatest players were shipped out. Cubs pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander was among them. He ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Aug 27th, 2023
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6390 Views
August 29, 1918 The Cubs clinched the National League pennant with a double-header sweep of the Cincinnati Reds. Lefty Tyler wins his 18th game in the opener, and Claude Hendrix wins his 20th game in the nightcap. It is the earliest any team in National League history clinched a pennant, but that rec...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 27th, 2023
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4756 Views
~Emil Verban 1915–1989 (Cubs 1948-1950) Verban was a second baseman for the Cubs. They called him the Antelope because of his speed early in his career, but by the time Verban played in Chicago, he wasn’t exactly tearing up the base paths. In his three seasons with the Cubs he stole a total of ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 26th, 2023
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3383 Views
~Sparky Adams 1894–1989 (Cubs 1923-1927) His real name was Earl John Adams, and he was an energetic little guy; only 5’5″. Adams spent 1923 and 1924 as the Cubs’ semi-regular shortstop, but came into his own when he was switched to second base after George Grantham was traded to Pittsburgh for ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 25th, 2023
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3158 Views
~Rube Kroh 1886–1944 (Cubs 1908-1910) His real name was Floyd Kroh, but Rube was a common nickname in the first half of last century, indicating that the player was a country boy. Rube Kroh certainly fit that description. He grew up in a small town in New York named Friendship. Kroh’s first sea...
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