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 c...

~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 H...

This week (July 12-18) during the last year the Cubs went to the World Series (before 2016)… World War II *At Potsdam, the three main Allied leaders begin their final summit of the war (meeting ends August 2). Truman informs Churchill that the Ju...

~Tom Gorzelanny 1982– (Cubs 2009-2010) The homegrown pitcher (Marist High School) was acquired by the Cubs in the summer of 2009 when their starting rotation suffered a few injuries. He had pitched for the Pirates the previous 4 1/2 seasons, and ...

~Jimmy Slagle 1873–1956 (Cubs 1902-1908) One of the wily old veterans on the last Cubs team to win the World Series (1908) in the 20th century. Slagle was 35. He was known as Rabbit (because of his speed), and Shorty (because of his height — 5’7″...

July 13, 1977 The New York City Blackout of 1977 was an electricity blackout that affected most of New York City from July 13, 1977 to July 14, 1977. New York was already feeling tense because the economy was tanking and the unsolved Son of Sam murders...

~Andre Dawson 1954– (Cubs 1987-1992) Andre Dawson was a fan favorite with the Cubs from 1987-1992. Warren Cromartie, one of Andre’s teammates with the Expos, explained Andre’s nickname in his autobiography: “Andre’s nickname was the ‘Hawk’ becaus...

July 10, 1990 The All-Star Game was played at Wrigley Field. It was a miserable, rainy night, but the fans were treated to the sight of some all-time greats plying their trade. The American League team featured the likes of future Hall of Famers Rickey...

~Willie Wilson 1955– (Cubs 1992) Willie Wilson was one of the most dynamic players in baseball during the 1980s. Unfortunately, he wasn’t on the Cubs during those years. He was one of the all-time great leadoff hitters, a two-time All-Star and Si...

~Hank O’Day 1859–1935 (Cubs manager 1914) He was the umpire who made the most controversial call in baseball history…the play that became known as “The Merkle Boner.” The NY Giants never forgave him for favoring the Cubs on that play, and were es...