By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Oct 7th, 2023
0 Comments
3868 Views
~Chuck Klein 1904–1958 (Cubs 1934-1935) Chuck Klein had two great nicknames: “The Hoosier Hammer” and “The Clouting Kraut.” The Hoosier part of his nickname came from his Indiana roots, and the Kraut part, of course, came from his German heritage. Needless to say, the hammer and clouting parts ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Oct 6th, 2023
0 Comments
3319 Views
~Jay Baller 1960– (Cubs 1985-1987) He pitched out of the Cubs bullpen for three seasons (’85-’87) and got progressively worse each season (3.46 ERA, 5.37 ERA, 6.35 ERA). After the ’87 season, the Cubs sent him packing. He later had a cup of coffee with the Royals and the Phillies. (Photo: Topps...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Sep 17th, 2023
0 Comments
4496 Views
September 21, 1919 Grover Cleveland Alexander takes the mound against the Boston Braves. Ol’ Pete has had a season for the ages, shutting out every single team in the league at least once. With the season coming to a close, and both teams out of the pennant picture, Alexander bears down and takes car...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Sep 10th, 2023
1 Comment
6513 Views
September 12, 1998 Sammy Sosa becomes the first Cubs player to hit 60 home runs in a season. He does it in the sixth inning of wild slugfest against Milwaukee Brewers reliever Valerio de los Santos. Sammy’s homer is memorable, but it isn’t the most dramatic homer of the game. On a day the...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Aug 27th, 2023
3 Comments
6336 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 This Week In Wrigley History
Aug 20th, 2023
1 Comment
5774 Views
August 22, 1982 The Cubs retire the first number in franchise history: #14 in honor of Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks. No-one had worn #14 since Ernie retired as a coach in 1973, but by raising the #14 flag the Cubs make it official. In the lineup for the Cubs that day is a rookie third […]...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 27th, 2023
0 Comments
5639 Views
~Leo Durocher 1905–1991 (Cubs manager 1965-1972) How did people really feel about Leo Durocher? A quote from Jack Brickhouse: “In the early days Leo was an SOB, but a sharp SOB. By the time he finished in Chicago he was just an old SOB.” Suffice it to say, Leo was not beloved. When he was [&hel...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Jul 23rd, 2023
2 Comments
6105 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 This Week In Wrigley History
Jul 2nd, 2023
2 Comments
5949 Views
July 2, 1917. Three future NFL Hall of Famers played at Cubs Park (now known as Wrigley Field) in a big league baseball game. Paddy Driscoll (photo) played 2B for the Cubs. That was his only year in baseball, but he went on to a great football career with the Chicago Bears and the Chicago […]...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Jun 25th, 2023
2 Comments
5697 Views
June 29, 1969 The Cubs celebrated “Billy Williams Day” at Wrigley Field. They were playing a double-header against the Cardinals, and the surging Cubs didn’t disappoint, winning both games. Fergie Jenkins won the opener 3-1, and Dick Selma followed suit in the second game, winning 1...
The Pothole Store | Eckhartz Press | Rick Kaempfer's Blog | Illinois Entertainer
Site construction by WorkSite, LLC