By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
May 22nd, 2023
1 Comment
5451 Views
~Coleman Griffith 1893–1966 (Cubs psychologist 1938) In 1938, University of Illinois psychologist Coleman Griffith was asked by PK Wrigley to do a complete psychological analysis of the Cubs for a project he called “Experimental Laboratories of the Chicago National League Ball Club.” Naturally,...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1945
May 10th, 2023
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3882 Views
This week (May 10–May 16) during the last year the Cubs went to the World Series (before 2016)… World War II *Georgia welcomes back the famous General Courtney Hodges *The New York Times describes the damage in Germany this way: “Berlin is dead. As a city, it no longer exists. The p...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
May 5th, 2023
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3582 Views
~Lennie Merullo 1917–2015 (Cubs 1941-1947) Lennie was the starting shortstop for the Cubs in the 1940s, including the pennant winning season of 1945. He wasn’t known as a great fielder or hitter. In fact, Merullo averaged an error every three and half games or so (172 errors in 602 games, inclu...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1945
Apr 26th, 2023
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4244 Views
This week during the last year the Cubs went to the World Series… World War II Rages On It was probably the worst week ever for European fascists. *It begins when the Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini is captured. Mussolini and his mistress, Clara Petacci, are executed by Italian partis...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Apr 23rd, 2023
4 Comments
6967 Views
April 23, 1914. One day after the Cubs drew the smallest Opening Day crowd in their history, a new ballpark opened on Addison & Clark. At the time, it was called “Weeghman Park”, and the team that played there was in the Federal League. This is how the Chicago Tribune described that ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Sep 23rd, 2022
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5429 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 7th, 2022
0 Comments
3229 Views
~Mark Prior 1980– (Cubs 2002-2006) Prior was considered the franchise. He was the second overall pick of the draft, and he pitched like it initially. He finished in the top ten in Rookie of the Year voting in 2002, and then put it all together in 2003. He won 18 games, struck out 245, and [&hel...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1945
Sep 6th, 2022
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4981 Views
This week (Sept 6-12) during the last year the Cubs went to the World Series (before 2016)… World War II *Hideki Tojo (photo), Japanese Prime Minister during most of WW II, attempts suicide rather than face war crimes tribunal. The attempt fails, and he is later hanged. *Vice Adm. John Sidney M...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Sep 3rd, 2022
2 Comments
5465 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 13th, 2022
2 Comments
6097 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...
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