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 Today's Cub Birthday
Nov 4th, 2023
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4381 Views
~Dick Selma 1943–2001 (Cubs 1969) He was nicknamed Mortimer Snerd by his teammates after Edgar Bergen’s famous dummy. Selma was a key member of the 1969 Cubs. He won 10 games for them and led the staff in strikeouts per nine innings after being acquired from the Padres. Selma became a fan favor...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Oct 29th, 2023
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3072 Views
~Solly Hofman 1882–1956 (Cubs 1904-1912, 1916) His nickname was Circus Solly, and he played for the Cubs during their most dominant era, and was a key member of four World Series teams. At first he was a utility man, but by the time his Cubs tenure was through, he was their full-time center fie...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Oct 27th, 2023
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How long ago was 1908? Cubs utility player Solly Hofman turns 26 years old. He is finally celebrating his wedding and honeymoon, something that manager Frank Chance made him put off until the season ended. Hofman followed the boss’ orders without complaint: “I guess Miss Looker’s ju...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Oct 13th, 2023
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5197 Views
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 Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 11th, 2023
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3304 Views
~Jimmy Slagle 1873–1956 (Cubs 1902-1908) One of the wily old veterans on the last Cubs team to win the World Series (1908) in the 20th century. Slagle was 35. He was known as Rabbit (because of his speed), and Shorty (because of his height — 5’7″), but most of his teammates referred to him as [...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Jul 7th, 2023
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4093 Views
How long ago was 1908? The Summer Olympics open in London on July 13th. The games had been scheduled to take place in Italy, but the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 1906 had devastated Naples and London was chosen as the alternative site. Twenty-two nations are competing, including the United States. Whi...
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