By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 15th, 2024
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4190 Views
~Billy Williams 1938– (Cubs 1959-1974) Billy Williams got his nickname (“Sweet Swingin’ Billy from Whistler”) because of his nearly perfect swing and his hometown: Whistler, Alabama. He played for the Cubs from 1959-1974 and is simply one of the greatest players to ever wear a Cubs uniform. Swe...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
May 15th, 2024
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5281 Views
May 18, 1920 Future Pope (and Saint) John Paul II is born in Poland. Grover Cleveland Alexander is on the mound at Cubs Park in Chicago, and he beats the Giants 4-2. He also knocks in the game winning run. Cleveland could have never guessed that this boy born in Poland would one day be […]...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Oct 31st, 2023
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3371 Views
~Fred McGriff 1963– (Cubs 2001-2002) He was nicknamed the Crime Dog because of his last name’s similarity to the “actual” crime dog McGruff. Our crime dog, it’s safe to say, was at best a reluctant Cub. He refused to be traded to the Cubs at first, and then when he finally agreed to the trade, ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Oct 20th, 2023
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4502 Views
~Wid Matthews 1896–1965 (Cubs GM 1950-1956) When Matthews came to the Cubs in 1950, he arrived with a sparkling reputation. Wid had been an assistant to Branch Rickey with the Dodgers, and he promised to return the Cubs to their glory days. He did do one thing that was long overdue before he le...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Oct 15th, 2023
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3000 Views
~Bill Henry 1927–2014 (Cubs 1958-1959) Bill led the league in appearances in his second and final season with the Cubs. He served as their closer in 1959, winning 9 games, and saving 12. After the season ended, Henry was traded (along with Lou Jackson and Lee Walls) to the Reds for slugging thi...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Oct 13th, 2023
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5444 Views
~Rube Waddell 1876–1914 (Orphans 1901) Rube was a common nickname for hayseeds and farm boys, and Rube Waddell was definitely that. He only pitched one season for the Cubs (before they were even called that) in 1901, and was only a .500 pitcher that season, but he blossomed as a pitcher the nex...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Oct 2nd, 2023
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3225 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 11th, 2023
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3896 Views
~Ray Grimes 1893–1953 (Cubs 1922-1925) Ray Grimes was an instant phenom for the Cubs when he joined them for his rookie season of 1922. He was an absolute RBI machine, one of the great clutch hitters of his era. During that season he set a record that still stands today when he got an RBI [&hel...
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