By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Dec 1st, 2023
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~Javier Baez 1992– (Cubs 2014-Present) Baez was the 9th overall pick of the 2011 draft: the last first round pick of the Jim Hendry era. At each level of the minors, Baez was a superstar, but when he joined the Cubs in August 2014, Javy struggled. Despite hitting a game-winning homer in his fir...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Nov 23rd, 2023
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~Harpo Marx 1888 (Cubs Fan) The Marx family moved from New York to Chicago in 1909. For much of that time they lived in a large house at 4512 South Grand Boulevard (now called Martin Luther King Boulevard). The house is still there. The Marx Brothers (Gummo, Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo) were alr...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Nov 17th, 2023
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How Long Ago Was 1908? Cubs outfielder Jimmy Sheckard celebrates his 30th birthday (Nov 23). Sheckard was one of the first players Frank Chance had acquired when he took over the Cubs in 1905/06. He gave up four players and $2000 (a high price) to Brooklyn to acquire him—but he knew that Brooklyn was...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Oct 23rd, 2023
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5255 Views
October 23, 1886 The Cubs finished up the World Series. The 1886 National League team from Chicago was known as the White Stockings–it would be another fifteen years before the Cubs name emerged. But they were a powerhouse team; the defending champions. Led by their first baseman/manager Cap An...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Oct 13th, 2023
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How long ago was 1908? The World Series begins in Detroit amid much fanfare, but not a great deal of excitement. The Tigers, led by Ty Cobb, are the prohibitive underdogs and the city of Detroit isn’t optimistic that they can win it all. Big Ed Reulbach, who has been on fire for the past [&hell...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Oct 9th, 2023
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6253 Views
This week in history, the Cubs were actually involved in historical events… October 9, 1907 The Cubs were playing the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. It was Game 2 of the series–the first game had ended in a tie (called because of darkness). More than 21,000 braved the cold October Ch...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Oct 2nd, 2023
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4544 Views
October 3, 1915 The Cubs play their final game in the dilapidated ballpark known as West Side Grounds. It has been their home since 1893, but it is considered a fire (made of wood) and safety (falling apart) hazard. Cubs owner Charles Murphy simply refuses to spend any money on the park’s upkee...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Aug 4th, 2023
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5283 Views
How long ago was 1908? Many historians consider Big Jim Colosimo the father of the Chicago mafia. His official title in 1908 is precinct captain (for First Ward Aldermen Kenna & Coughlin), but his real job is providing muscle, and collecting bribes. In exchange for these services, he is allowed ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Jun 2nd, 2023
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5596 Views
How long ago was 1908? One of the biggest stories in Chicago is the “epidemic of white slavery.” White immigrant girls and innocent White American farm girls are being lured from all over the country to come to Chicago under false pretenses. They think they have received marriage proposal...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
May 24th, 2023
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2681 Views
~Jack Pfiester 1878–1953 (Cubs 1906-1911) Jack was an important member of the starting rotation during the Cubs dynasty. The team went to the World Series four of his six seasons. He won 20 games for the 1906 team that won a record-setting 116 games before losing the World Series to the White S...
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