By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Oct 2nd, 2023
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3141 Views
~Hector Villanueva 1964 (Cubs 1990-1992) Unlike most .230-hitting bad-fielding catchers, Hector managed to become a crowd favorite at Wrigley Field. Many fans saw themselves in Hector’s Ruthian physique. Others appreciated his “swing for the fences on every swing” approach to hittin...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Sep 24th, 2023
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3896 Views
~Rafael Palmeiro 1964– (Cubs 1986-1988) Two incredibly bright prospects came up to the Chicago Cubs around the same time. Unfortunately, both Mark Grace and Rafael Palmeiro played the same position (first base). To get both of their bats into the lineup, Palmeiro was moved out to left field. Hi...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Sep 23rd, 2023
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5789 Views
September 24, 1943 The Cubs call up outfielder Andy Pafko from their Los Angeles minor league team, and put him in the lineup. He would remain there for the next eight seasons. His first game at Wrigley Field is played in absolutely miserable weather conditions. It is freezing cold, the wind is howli...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Sep 18th, 2023
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3027 Views
~Ryne Sandberg 1959– (Cubs 1982-1994, 1996-1997) He was destined to have a great nickname because he was named after the famous Yankees relief pitcher “Blind Ryne” Duren. Ryno was just a throw in to the Iván de Jesus/Larry Bowa trade with the Phillies. The Phillies had two other second base pro...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Sep 3rd, 2023
2 Comments
5935 Views
September 3, 1936. A police officer may have cost the Cubs a victory. Henry Hanson was an ordinary Chicago cop. He was working security at a Cubs-Dodgers game. In the first inning of the game, young Cubs first baseman Phil Cavarretta hit a ball down the right field line, right were Hanson was standin...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Aug 20th, 2023
1 Comment
5773 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 This Week In Wrigley History
Aug 6th, 2023
2 Comments
6046 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 Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 27th, 2023
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5638 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 Weeks Historical Events
Jun 26th, 2023
1 Comment
7108 Views
June 27, 1932 The three major contenders for the presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention 1932 (held at the Chicago Stadium from June 27 – July 2, 1932) were Franklin Roosevelt (Gov of NY), Speaker of the House John Nance Garner and former governor of New York and 1928 pres...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 22nd, 2023
0 Comments
3495 Views
~John Dillinger 1902–1934 (Cubs fan) He was Public Enemy #1–so hounded and hunted by the FBI that he underwent drastic plastic surgery to change his appearance. The surgery left him disfigured, but didn’t do a very good job of disguising his appearance. Other bank robbers and gangst...
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