By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Dec 5th, 2023
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~P.K. Wrigley 1894 (Cubs owner 1932–1977) He was 38 years years old when he inherited the Chicago Cubs. At his father’s deathbed in 1932, Wrigley promised he would never sell the team. Unfortunately for the Cubs, he lived up to that promise. Not only didn’t he have the passion for b...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Dec 4th, 2023
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Lee Smith 1957 (Cubs 1980-1987) When Big Lee came up with the Cubs in 1980, he was a starting pitcher. They moved him to the closer role after they floundered in 1981 after the trade that sent Bruce Sutter to the Cardinals. Big Lee turned out to be one of the most consistent closers in […]...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Nov 29th, 2023
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~Howard Johnson 1960 (Cubs 1995) His parents obviously had a sense of humor, because they named their son Howard, the same name as a famous hotel and restaurant chain. His nickname naturally ended up being the same thing as the restaurant’s nickname (HoJo), but he had the last laugh. Howard Joh...
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 Today's Cub Birthday
Nov 15th, 2023
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~Franklin P. Adams 1881–1960 (Cubs hater/immortalizer) He wrote the most famous poem ever written about the Cubs, “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon”, and it was so memorable it probably got Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance elected into the Hall of Fame. The poem went as follow...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Nov 13th, 2023
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~Johnny Kling 1875–1947 (Cubs 1900-1911) Kling was one of the best catchers in baseball; a grizzled veteran who was so good defensively, he caused former catcher Frank Chance to move positions (to first base). Hall of Fame pitcher Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown often said that his secret weapon ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Nov 3rd, 2023
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3664 Views
~Ken Holtzman 1945– (Cubs 1966-1971) He would become one of the rarest animals on the North American continent…a quality homegrown Chicago Cubs starting pitcher. But Holtzman was the real deal. He went 9-0 for the Cubs while serving in the National Guard in 1967, and when his military service w...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week in 1908
Oct 27th, 2023
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4061 Views
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 Weeks Historical Events
Oct 23rd, 2023
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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 20th, 2023
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4536 Views
How long ago was 1908? Broadway superstar George M. Cohan (photo) takes the victorious World Series champs out to Rector’s restaurant in Chicago to celebrate their big victory. He and his Broadway troupe perform for Frank Chance, Joe Tinker, Harry Steinfeldt, Del Howard, Jimmy Sheckard and thei...
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