By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Sep 29th, 2023
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How long ago was 1908? Tension builds for the big game between Pittsburgh and the Cubs… *In Cincinnati, Joe Tinker (photo) hits a home run on September 29th that lodges into the experimental “light tower” in centerfield. Because there isn’t a rule in place about what happens i...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Sep 22nd, 2023
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4197 Views
How long ago was 1908? The Cubs are in New York to play the biggest series of the year. If they lose the series against the Giants, they will be all but eliminated from the race, and the Giants will win the pennant. The Cubs win a double header on September 22nd. Mordecai Brown saves […]...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Sep 8th, 2023
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5212 Views
How long ago was 1908? Frank Chance celebrates his 31st birthday (Sept 9) in Chicago with a win against the Cardinals–putting the Cubs 28 games over .500 (but still in third place, three games out of first.) Chance was more than just the first baseman and clean up hitter for the 1908 Cubs–...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Sep 1st, 2023
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5271 Views
How long ago was 1908? The Pirates and Cubs are tied 0-0 in the last of the 10th at Pittsburgh on September 4th. With two outs and the bases loaded, Pittsburgh’s Owen Wilson singles to CF, scoring Fred Clarke with the winning run. Warren Gill, on 1B, does not get to 2B but stops short, [&hellip...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Aug 25th, 2023
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4734 Views
How long ago was 1908? The city of Chicago has officially gone crazy for the Cubs. The Chicago Tribune sets up an electronic scoreboard outside their headquarters at the corner of Madison & Dearborn to provide “scoring updates” of the Cubs-Giants games in New York. The electronic sco...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Aug 18th, 2023
1 Comment
4452 Views
How long ago was 1908? Orville Wright (photo) celebrates his 37th birthday in Washington on August 19th. It has only been four and a half years since the Wright Brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk. Because only five people witnessed that first flight, Wilbur and Orville still haven’t att...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Aug 11th, 2023
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4706 Views
How long ago was 1908? One of the ugliest racial riots in American history occurs this week (Aug 14) in Springfield, Illinois. Before the race riots are over, forty homes are burned to the ground, 24 businesses are destroyed, and seven people are dead: two black people (lynched by the angry mob) and ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Aug 4th, 2023
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5195 Views
How long ago was 1908? Many historians consider Big Jim Colosimo the father of the Chicago mafia. His official title in 1908 is precinct captain (for First Ward Aldermen Kenna & Coughlin), but his real job is providing muscle, and collecting bribes. In exchange for these services, he is allowed ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Jul 28th, 2023
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4061 Views
How long ago was 1908? Meet Hinky Dink Kenna, one of the two Aldermen who represent Chicago’s red-light district, The Levee. The official name of the area, of course, is the First Ward, and Alderman Kenna is a proud and vocal supporter of his constituents. If anyone asks about the seediness of ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Jul 21st, 2023
1 Comment
4567 Views
Two Cubs stars celebrate a birthday this week. Second baseman Johnny Evers (left photo) celebrates his 26th birthday (July 21) and shortstop Joe Tinker (right photo) celebrates his 28th birthday (July 27). It’s pretty clear that they won’t be celebrating it together, however, because they...
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