By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Aug 26th, 2023
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3368 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, 2023
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3813 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, 2023
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7683 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, 2023
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6827 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, 2023
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7246 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, 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 Weeks Historical Events
Jun 26th, 2023
1 Comment
7109 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, 2023
2 Comments
5698 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...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 22nd, 2023
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3496 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...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Jun 5th, 2023
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5055 Views
June 9th, 1930 Chicago Tribune reporter Jake Lingle was on his way to the racetrack, walking toward the underpass at Randolph and Michigan Avenue that led to the Illinois Central Suburban Trains. Jake Lingle had worked on thousands of stories for the Trib, but never actually wrote them. He simply cal...
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