Cubstory

Merry Christmas from everyone at the CCO!

For those looking for their baseball fix after opening what the jolly old elf brought down your chimney, here is another look inside the Cubstory book.

Did you ever wonder when the Cubs played their first game? Or who holds the franchise record for the longest hitting streak? Do you know who the primary third baseman was in the famed Tinkers-to-Evers-to-Chance infield? Or which player hit the first grand slam in the franchise's history? How about the given names of Gabby Harnett and Hack Wilson?

Here are blasts from the Cubs past on Christmas day ...

Merry Christmas from everyone here at the CCO!

In between opening all of the presents the jolly old elf brought down your chimney and celebrating the Christmas Holiday, here is another look inside the Cubstory book.

Did you ever wonder when the Wrigley marquee was painted red? Or the number Ron Santo wore when he made his debut in 1960? Maybe, which two players own the Cubs' record for games played in a single-season? Or, who was the first athlete to hit a ball off the centerfield scoreboard?

'Tis the season for a stocking full of Cubs trivia ...

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at the CCO!

Today is a day of food, spending time with family and friends, and dozing off in front of the big screen watching football. Just in case you need your daily 'Cubs fix', here are several bits of useless information on the Chicago National League Ball Club, Inc.

So if you've ever wondered who planted the ivy at Wrigley? Or which two Cubs pitchers picked up their 300th win against the Giants or the Cubs' pitcher that briefly retired before becoming one of the most dominant relievers in the history of the game ... today's helping of Cubs trivia is information you can use.

On April 25, 1876 the Chicago National League Ball Club, Inc. played and won the first game in the history of the organization.

Albert Spalding led the White Stockings to a 4-0 win over the Louisville Grays. Not only did Spalding notch the first win for the organization but he also threw the first National League shutout. Paul Hines scored the first run in Cubs history on a wild throw in the second inning.

On March 27, 1902, the Chicago Daily News used the name "Cubs" for the first time in print. The nickname was coined when Frank Selee (1902-1905) became the new manager of the Chicago National League Ball Club, Inc. The nickname "Cubs" was derived from the new manager rebuilding the team with young, unproven players to replace the veterans that had jumped leagues to play in the American League for higher pay.

On Monday, September 24, 1984 the Chicago Cubs accomplished a feat the organization had not done in 39 years ... they won a pennant. Rick Sutcliffe allowed only two hits, faced 28 batters in nine innings and the Cubs defeated the Pirates in Pittsburgh, 4-1.

Rick Sutcliffe struck out Joe Orsulak for the final out ... Jody Davis pumped his fist and the celebration began.

The Chicago Cubs won the National League Eastern Division crown for the first time and advanced to baseball's postseason after a magical summer on the North Side of Chicago.

On a Saturday afternoon with Bob Costas calling the game for NBC, Ryne Sandberg cemented himself in the storied history of the Chicago Cubs. One of the greatest games in franchise history has since been nicknamed 'The Sandberg Game' and for many reasons June 23, 1984 will be forever etched in the memory of generations of Cubs fans.

Ryne Sandberg went on to win the NL MVP that season and the Cubs made it to the post-season for the first time since 1945. A new generation of the Faithful was born that wonderful summer.

Leading up to that Saturday afternoon, the Cubs had put together a good season but nothing prepared those in attendance, or watching at home, for what they were about to witness.

On March 27, 1984 Dallas Green orchestrated a trade with his former organization that would help define the '84 Cubs. The Cubs' GM traded pitcher Bill "Soup" Campbell along with catcher Mike Diaz to the Philadelphia Phillies for Bob Dernier, Gary Matthews and Porfi Altamirano.

Bob Dernier and Ryne Sandberg became the 'Daily Double' and many have credited 'the Sarge' over the years with taking control of the clubhouse and leading the team to the National League Eastern Division crown...the organization's first trip to the post-season since 1945.

We all know the year. We all know the teams involved. What we may not realize is how much has happened since the Cubs last won the World Series. If you are in the dark as to what I am referring to, it is regarding the year 1908, the last year the Chicago Cubs won the World Series when they beat the Detroit Tigers.

Do any Cubs fans not know how long it has been? Anyone can subtract and realize that it has been 100 years since the Cubs last won it all. Can we quantify how long 100 years really is? I can take my age and times it by 2 1/2 and that gets me to 100 but it is still hard to imagine how long that is. To help me understand the time we are talking about I decided to look back at what has happened since the Cubs last won the World Series. I realize some may have already done this but I wanted to do it anyway.

It is hard to believe it has been 20 years since Opening Night at Wrigley Field. On August 8, 1988 the Chicago Cubs played the first ever night game at Wrigley against the Philadelphia Phillies and while the game was rained out and the lasting images are that of a young Greg Maddux and Les Lancaster sliding across the rain soaked tarp covering the infield. The game started by Rick Sutcliffe and featured a home run by Ryne Sandberg was called in the 4th inning.... and many claimed that was the Baseball Gods way of saying that baseball at Wrigley was to be played only during the day.

On August 9th, the first official night game was played between the Cubs and the Mets. Frank DiPino picked up the win in relief of Mike Bielecki and beat Sid Fernandez while Rich 'Goose' Gossage picked up his 12th save of the season in a 6-4 Cubs' victory.

A reader of the CCO, Jane Knoche, sent a poem with her memories of two decades ago and the Daily Herald put together an impressive video clip full of images from that Monday night 20 years ago, so take time to relive not just a part of the Cubs' storied past but one of the many chapters Baseball history....