This Week in Wrigley History (July 23–July 29)
July 23, 1962
The Cubs make television history. Their game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Wrigley Field is beamed into Europe by Telstar, the first communications satellite. This is the first live sporting event from America ever beamed into Europe.
The Cubs lineup that day features the Rookie of the Year (Ken Hubbs), and four other future Hall of Famers (Lou Brock, Ron Santo, Ernie Banks, and Billy Williams), but they still manage to lose to the Phillies, 5-3.
It certainly isn’t their only loss that year. The 1962 Cubs lose 103 games and finish 42 1/2 games behind the NL Champion San Francisco Giants. Only the legendarily bad 1962 Mets keep the Cubs out of last place.
Surely the European audience is less than impressed.
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July 23: In 1922, Ray Grimes knocks in two runs to lead the Cubs to a 4-1 win at Cubs Park. It’s his record-setting seventeenth game in a row with an RBI…In 1962, the Cubs-Phillies game is the first sporting event ever beamed into Europe thanks to the Telstar satellite. The Cubs lose 5-3. (full story above)
July 24: In 1938, the Cubs and Giants play for 15 innings. Cubs third baseman Stan Hack goes 5 for 8 and knocks in the winning run in the bottom of the 15th. Bill Lee pitches seven innings in relief to get the win.
July 25: In 1988, the Cubs open Wrigley Field to show off the lights…In 1998, GlenAllen Hill hits a two-run bomb off Mets closer John Franco to win the game for the Cubs. Kevin Tapani wins his 12th game of the season, and Rod Beck comes in to pick up his 30th save in the top of the ninth…In 2015, Cole Hamels (Phillies) no-hits the Cubs, marking the first time the Cubs have been no-hit in 7,921 games.
July 26: In 1970 Glenn Beckert goes 7 for 8 in a double header against the Atlanta Braves. The Cubs split the two games…In 1974, Billy Williams hits a grand slam against the Phillies, as the Cubs win 10-7. Rick Reuschel gets the win for the Cubs.
July 27: In 1968, Fergie Jenkins strikes out 13 Dodgers in a 2-1 win. Fergie also scores the winning run on a RBI single by Glenn Beckert.
July 28: In 1969, the Cubs beat Juan Marichal and the Giants in the bottom of the 10th, 6-5. Billy Williams knocks in the winning run with a single. Willie McCovey also homers for the Giants…In 1977, the Cubs win a wild one against the Reds, 16-15. (full details below)
July 29: In 1951, the Cubs sweep a double-header against the Phillies. Phil Cavarretta drives in seven runs in the two games…In 2003, Matt Clement throws a 2-hitter, and the Cubs beat the Giants 3-0. Moises Alou knocks in all three runs with a first inning homer.
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July 28, 1977
With the wind blowing out, the Cubs and Reds played a 13 inning game that may have been one of the strangest games in Wrigley Field history. The game featured five homers in the first inning, and many more homers along the way. Bill Buckner and George Mitterwald each hit for the Cubs, and Jerry Morales and Bobby Murcer added one each. For the Reds, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Ken Griffey, Cesar Geronimo and Mike Lum all homered too.
To say it was a see-saw battle is an understatement. The Cubs were down 6-0, 10-7, 14-10, and 15-14 and came back each time to pull back ahead. The last time sealed the win. Every pitcher in the game was rocked except for two…Bruce Sutter, who pitched three shut-out innings, and Rick Reuschel who made a rare relief appearance in the 13th, and got the victory.
The Cubs bench was so depleted by the end of the game that the Cubs were forced to play both Jose Cardenal and Bobby Murcer in the infield. Jose played at 2B, and Murcer played at 2B and SS. Dave Rosello, who had given up the lead run in the top of the 12th with an error, got the game winning hit in the bottom of the 13th.
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