Today’s Cubs Birthdays (June 8)

~Tim Donahue 1870–1902 (Orphans/Colts 1895-1900)
His teammates may have nicknamed him Bridget, but Donahue was one of the toughest men in the league when he played for the Cubs (then known as the Orphans and Colts). He was so tough, he once caught an entire game with two splints on broken fingers. Donahue was known as a good catcher (he caught Walter Thornton’s no-hitter in 1898), but a weak hitter. He was quick to anger and fought with opponents and teammates regularly. His time with the club ended in 1900, and Tim’s departure was not a classy one. Here’s an excerpt from a note he wrote to his teammates when he was let go (as reported by the Baseball Biography Project): “Former Comrades: Ye called me knocker, and ye did well to call me such. Upon the West Side grounds I made you look like soiled deuces in a clean deck. I beat you all in batting, fielding, and baserunning. None of you had any edge on me. I was too good for you.” Donahue also owned a saloon and was a successful gambler during his time with Chicago, and became a wealthy man. Unfortunately for him, he contracted Addison’s Disease and died at the age of 32.

~Tom Lee 1862–1886 (White Stockings 1884)
Lee was a pitcher and shortstop with the Cubs (then known as the White Stockings). He appeared in only six games before jumping leagues to play in Baltimore. It was his only year in big league baseball.

~Terrance Gore 1991– (Cubs 2018)
Gore set a career high in 2018 for at-bats (5) and hits (1 — his first) in a season, because he is mainly a base stealer. He got on base six times and stole six bases.