By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Apr 21st, 2024
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How long ago was 1908? Opening day is a huge day in Chicago for the defending champs. The Cubs have their home opener at the newly refurbished West Side Grounds (April 22). Owner Charles Murphy has turned the ballpark into a shrine for his players. There are two big sculptures outside the park, one o...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Feb 18th, 2024
1 Comment
6683 Views
How long ago was 1908? This week in 1908, Chicago is hit with the worst one day snowstorm in it’s history on February 18th. Eleven and a half inches of snow fall in less than 24 hours, bringing the entire city to a standstill. Neither the horse-drawn carriages nor the horseless carriages can ma...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Nov 11th, 2023
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~Rabbit Maranville 1891–1954 (Cubs 1925) His real name was Walter. Nicknamed for his speed and rabbit-like leaps, Rabbit Maranville was always a great fielder, but he was even better known for his partying. When he was with the Pirates he was known for playing with a flask in his pocket. One ti...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Nov 1st, 2023
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November 10, 1483 Martin Luther was born. He is known, of course, for starting the Protestant Reformation in Europe, but some Cub fans believe he also has a hand in keeping the Cubs out of the World Series. How can that be? Consider this. Before Charles Weeghman built the ballpark we now know as Wrig...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Oct 20th, 2023
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4681 Views
How long ago was 1908? Broadway superstar George M. Cohan (photo) takes the victorious World Series champs out to Rector’s restaurant in Chicago to celebrate their big victory. He and his Broadway troupe perform for Frank Chance, Joe Tinker, Harry Steinfeldt, Del Howard, Jimmy Sheckard and thei...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Oct 13th, 2023
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5196 Views
How long ago was 1908? The World Series begins in Detroit amid much fanfare, but not a great deal of excitement. The Tigers, led by Ty Cobb, are the prohibitive underdogs and the city of Detroit isn’t optimistic that they can win it all. Big Ed Reulbach, who has been on fire for the past [&hell...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Oct 9th, 2023
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6420 Views
This week in history, the Cubs were actually involved in historical events… October 9, 1907 The Cubs were playing the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. It was Game 2 of the series–the first game had ended in a tie (called because of darkness). More than 21,000 braved the cold October Ch...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Oct 2nd, 2023
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4695 Views
October 3, 1915 The Cubs play their final game in the dilapidated ballpark known as West Side Grounds. It has been their home since 1893, but it is considered a fire (made of wood) and safety (falling apart) hazard. Cubs owner Charles Murphy simply refuses to spend any money on the park’s upkee...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Sep 8th, 2023
1 Comment
5511 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 Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 8th, 2023
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3914 Views
~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 especially suspicious of him because he was born an...
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