By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Oct 2nd, 2024
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5135 Views
October 3, 1915 The Cubs play their final game in the dilapidated ballpark known as West Side Grounds. It has been their home since 1893, but it is considered a fire (made of wood) and safety (falling apart) hazard. Cubs owner Charles Murphy simply refuses to spend any money on the park’s upkee...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Oct 1st, 2024
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6343 Views
October 1, 1932 The most famous moment in Wrigley Field history occurred. Or did it? It was Game 3 of the World Series. The Yankees had won the first two at Yankee Stadium. Soon-to-be President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (sitting next to Chicago mayor Anton Cermak) threw out the first pitch. In the st...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Sep 27th, 2024
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3196 Views
~Don Schulze 1962– (Cubs 1983-1984) Schulze was a local high school hero (Lake Park High School in Roselle) when he was drafted in the first round (11th overall pick) by the Cubs in 1980. (Future Cubs manager Ricky Renteria was picked later in that round, as were fellow future managers Terry Fr...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Sep 16th, 2024
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4126 Views
~Mel Hall 1960– (Cubs 1981-1984) Hall really burst onto the scene during the 1983 season. After getting a taste of the big leagues at the end of the ’81 and ’82 seasons, he won a job in 1983, and responded with a great year. Mel slugged 17 homers, hit .283 in just over 400 at-bats, […]...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Sep 10th, 2024
1 Comment
7012 Views
September 12, 1998 Sammy Sosa becomes the first Cubs player to hit 60 home runs in a season. He does it in the sixth inning of wild slugfest against Milwaukee Brewers reliever Valerio de los Santos. Sammy’s homer is memorable, but it isn’t the most dramatic homer of the game. On a day the...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Week In Wrigley History
Aug 6th, 2024
2 Comments
6496 Views
August 6, 1959 Billy Williams makes his major league debut with the Cubs. He plays left field and bats third, and in his first big league at-bat, facing journeyman Phillies pitcher Jim Owens, Billy drives in Tony Taylor with the first run of the game. That turns out to be the game winner, as the [&he...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 22nd, 2024
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3528 Views
~Scott Sanderson 1956–2019 (Cubs 1984-1989) The local kid (Northbrook) was acquired by Dallas Green before the 1984 season in the trade that sent Craig Lefferts and Carmelo Martinez to San Diego. Sanderson pitched very well for the Cubs that year. He was the fourth starter behind Sutcliffe, Tro...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jul 9th, 2024
1 Comment
5943 Views
~Willie Wilson 1955– (Cubs 1992) Willie Wilson was one of the most dynamic players in baseball during the 1980s. Unfortunately, he wasn’t on the Cubs during those years. He was one of the all-time great leadoff hitters, a two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger, and a batting champion, but it was ...
By Rick Kaempfer
In Today's Cub Birthday
Jun 21st, 2024
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3365 Views
~Rick Sutcliffe 1952– (Cubs 1984-1991) The nickname “The Red Baron” was given to Rick Sutcliffe by Harry Caray, because of his intimidating presence (he was 6’7″) and red beard. 82 of his 171 career wins came with the Cubs, including 16 in his Cy Young-winning season of 1984. He was almost unhi...
By Rick Kaempfer
In This Weeks Historical Events
Apr 17th, 2024
2 Comments
10235 Views
April 21, 1986 It’s hard to imagine a more heavily hyped television program than Geraldo Rivera’s broadcast on April 21, 1986 from the former Al Capone headquarters (1928-1931) at the Lexington Hotel in Chicago. The hotel was about to be renovated, but not before Geraldo was allowed to in...
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