By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 18th, 2023
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4128 Views
~Burleigh Grimes 1893–1985 (Cubs 1932-1933) Grimes never shaved on days he pitched, because the slippery elm he chewed to increase saliva irritated his skin, so he always had stubble on his face when he took the mound. That led to his nickname, Ol’ Stubblebeard. He wasn’t just known for his stu...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Aug 13th, 2023
2 Comments
6814 Views
August 13, 1987 The Cubs retire the number of one of the all-time greats: Good Ol’ Number 26, Billy Williams. It is only the second number they ever retired (Ernie was first). Maybe there is some magic in the air, because the woeful Cubs come back to win the game in dramatic fashion. Catcher Jo...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Aug 6th, 2023
2 Comments
6041 Views
August 6, 1959 Billy Williams makes his major league debut with the Cubs. He plays left field and bats third, and in his first big league at-bat, facing journeyman Phillies pitcher Jim Owens, Billy drives in Tony Taylor with the first run of the game. That turns out to be the game winner, as the [&he...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Jul 31st, 2023
2 Comments
6412 Views
August 2, 1923 President Warren G. Harding dies unexpectedly. He wasn’t from Chicago, but Chicago nevertheless played an important role in the his presidency. For one thing, in 1920 he was nominated by Republican party leaders in a smoke filled Chicago hotel room; Suite 4046 on the 13th floor o...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Jul 30th, 2023
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4314 Views
July 30,1962 The All-Stars gather in Chicago’s Wrigley Field to play their second All-Star game of the season. The first one was played in Washington in early July. There are 21 Hall of Famers in the game on this Monday afternoon (yes, that’s right, a Monday afternoon All Star Game). The ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Jul 24th, 2023
2 Comments
5474 Views
July 25, 1941 Emmett Till is born on the south side of Chicago. His mother Mamie probably doesn’t care that the all-white Chicago Cubs are at Wrigley Field beating Boston 5-4, thanks to a 6th inning homer from Babe Dahlgren. Chicago is just as segregated as the big leagues. Emmett Till will live long...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Jul 23rd, 2023
2 Comments
6092 Views
July 23, 1962 The Cubs make television history. Their game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Wrigley Field is beamed into Europe by Telstar, the first communications satellite. This is the first live sporting event from America ever beamed into Europe. The Cubs lineup that day features the Rookie ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 17th, 2023
1 Comment
4367 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 Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 15th, 2023
1 Comment
3966 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 10th, 2023
0 Comments
4149 Views
~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’ because his facial features resembled a hawk’s. He had ...
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