By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Sep 17th, 2024
1 Comment
4025 Views
~Wildfire Schulte 1882–1949 (Cubs 1904-1916) Wildfire (real name Frank) didn’t get his nickname for his style of play (although he stole home 22 times), or his tendency to hit the town (although Frank Chance used to chide him for that in the press). He got it because he named his favorite pony ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 30th, 2024
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3631 Views
~Kiki Cuyler 1898–1950 (Cubs 1928-1935) His real name is Hazen Shirley Cuyler. Cuyler was called “Cuy” by his school teammates. It was while winning the MVP title of the Southern Association with Nashville in 1923 that he acquired the Kiki nickname. Fans heard the players shout for him to take ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 26th, 2024
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3500 Views
~Sparky Adams 1894–1989 (Cubs 1923-1927) His real name was Earl John Adams, and he was an energetic little guy; only 5’5″. Adams spent 1923 and 1924 as the Cubs’ semi-regular shortstop, but came into his own when he was switched to second base after George Grantham was traded to Pittsburgh for ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 21st, 2024
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4085 Views
~Tuffy Rhodes 1968– (Cubs 1993-1995) In 1994, the Cubs had a memorable home opener against the New York Mets. A little-known player named Tuffy Rhodes hit three homers that day to power the Cubs to a victory. Cubs fans had delusions of grandeur after that game, but Tuffy hit only five more home...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Aug 14th, 2024
1 Comment
8013 Views
August 14, 1908 In the midst of the Cubs final championship season, a horrible race riot broke out in Springfield Illinois. Before the race riots were over, forty homes were burned to the ground, 24 businesses were destroyed, and seven people were dead: two black people (lynched by the angry mob) and...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Aug 13th, 2024
2 Comments
7258 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 Weeks Historical Events
Jul 17th, 2024
2 Comments
7624 Views
July 18, 1910 The poem “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon” written by Franklin Adams was published in the New York Evening Mail. It’s probably the most famous poem ever written about the Cubs, and it was so memorable it probably got Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance elected into...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Jul 2nd, 2024
2 Comments
6242 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 Weeks Historical Events
Jun 26th, 2024
1 Comment
7411 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 This Week In Wrigley History
Jun 25th, 2024
2 Comments
6042 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...
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