Category / Baseball

by admin

150 Years Of Cubs Baseball – Starting Pitchers Part 3

Originally founded in 1869, the Chicago Cubs became a charter member of the National League in 1876.  Over the next 150 seasons, the Cubs have played more than 22,000 games, scored over 103,000 runs and recorded more than 200,000 hits, more than any other team in baseball history.  Nearly 2,300 players have worn a Cubs uniform, earning eight division titles, 17 NL pennants, and three World Series championships.

Fans have witnessed generations of unforgettable players, from historical heroes like Joe Tinker, Gabby Hartnett, Ernie Banks, and Billy Williams to more recent stars like Ryne Sandberg, Derrek Lee, Kerry Wood, and Anthony Rizzo.  The team has called Wrigley Field home for 110 of those 150 seasons.

To celebrate this milestone, the Cubs are holding a fan vote to select the franchise’s anniversary team.  Each week, we will go through the provided options for each position and declare who should, and, if different, who will, win the fan vote.  We start today with the final eight selections for starting pitcher.

Rick Reuschel, a native of central Illinois, spent parts of twelve seasons across two stints with the Cubs, from 1972-1981 and again from 1983-1984.  From 1975-1978, he was teammates with his brother Paul, also a pitcher.  His best season came in 1977, when he won 20 games, made his lone All-Star team as a Cub, and finished third in Cy Young award voting.  After being traded in 1981, he returned to the Cubs in 1983 following a rotator cuff injury.  He is a member of the Cubs Hall of Fame.

Charlie Root spent the majority of his major league career with the Cubs, from 1926-1941.  In 1927, he led the National League with 26 wins, 48 games, 309 innings pitched, and, unfortunately, 117 walks.  In the 1932 World Series, Root was on the mound for Babe Ruth’s infamous called shot home run, though he would dispute the account.  Overall, he appeared in four World Series as a Cub and received some MVP support in five of his sixteen seasons.  He is a member of the team’s Hall of Fame.

Bob Rush debuted with the Cubs in 1948, spending ten seasons on the north side.  A two-time All-Star, he led the NL with 20 losses in 1950.  He was a steady, if unspectacular, mainstay of the Cub rotation during the fallow period following their final World Series appearance of the 20th century in 1945.

Continue reading →

by admin

National Mascot Day

In honor of National Mascot Day, I thought it would be a treat to look back at the history of White Sox mascots.  After purchasing the team in 1981, Jerry Reinsdorf and Eddie Einhorn looked to upgrade the team’s marketing and community relations efforts.  One of those moves was to hire the same firm that designed the Phillie Phanatic to come up with modern mascots for the White Sox.  Ribbie, a purple anteater, and Roobarb, whatever he was supposed to be, debuted in September of 1981 and, as with most things involving Jerry Reinsdorf and company, the introduction of the pair was tainted with controversy: the removal of Andy the Clown.

While never an official mascot or team employee, Andy Rozdilsky had been appearing at Comiskey Park in a clown costume since 1960, usually given free admission by the ushers.  He would wander the stands, yelling “Cooooommeeee Onnnnnnn Youuuuuu Whiiiiiiiite Soxxxxxxxxxxx!” and had a nose that would light up whenever a child shook his hand. On the day Ribbie and Roobarb were introduced, Andy the Clown was told he had to pay his own way into the ballpark.  The controversy tainted the new mascots in many fans’ minds, and they were retired following the 1988 season.

In 2004, the team introduced a new mascot, the fuzzy green dude himself, Southpaw.  He has been a fixture on the South Side ever since, and has resonated with fans, young and old alike, in ways his predecessors didn’t, which has enabled him to endure for over 22 seasons.

by admin

150 Years Of Cubs Baseball – Starting Pitchers Part 2

Originally founded in 1869, the Chicago Cubs became a charter member of the National League in 1876.  Over the next 150 seasons, the Cubs have played more than 22,000 games, scored over 103,000 runs and recorded more than 200,000 hits, more than any other team in baseball history.  Nearly 2,300 players have worn a Cubs uniform, earning eight division titles, 17 NL pennants, and three World Series championships.

Fans have witnessed generations of unforgettable players, from historical heroes like Joe Tinker, Gabby Hartnett, Ernie Banks, and Billy Williams to more recent stars like Ryne Sandberg, Derrek Lee, Kerry Wood, and Anthony Rizzo.  The team has called Wrigley Field home for 110 of those 150 seasons.

To celebrate this milestone, the Cubs are holding a fan vote to select the franchise’s anniversary team.  Each week, we will go through the provided options for each position and declare who should, and, if different, who will, win the fan vote.  We continue today with the second eight selections for starting pitcher.

Ken Holtzman was selected by the Cubs in the fourth round of the 1965 draft and made his major league debut that September after just twelve minor league appearances.  He joined the starting rotation the following year, and, serving in the National Guard, was only available to start on weekends in 1967, going 9-0 in his twelve appearances.  He threw two no-hitters, the first in 1969 against the Braves and the second in 1971 against the Reds.  He asked to be traded following the 1971 season.  He is a member of the team’s Hall of Fame.

Bill Hutchison spent seven seasons with the franchise now known as the Cubs, from 1889-1895.  He led the National League in wins from 1890-1892 and strikeouts in 1892.  He still ranks fourth all-time in franchise history in wins, second in innings pitched, sixth in strikeouts, and first in loses, complete games, walks allowed, and wild pitches.

Fergie Jenkins spent ten of his 19 years in the big leagues across two stints with the Cubs, first from 1966-1973 and again from 1982-1983.  A three-time All-Star, he led the National League in victories in 1971, strikeouts in 1969, and earned the Cy Young Award in 1971.  Jenkins was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1991 and his number 31, shared with Greg Maddux, was retired by the club in 2009.

Continue reading →

by admin

First Place

Three years ago, the White Sox finished the season with their worst record since 1970.  Two years ago, they set the all-time MLB record with 121 losses.  Last year, they “improved” by 19 games but still managed their third straight 100-loss season.  Today, they sit alone in first place in the AL Central, the latest they have done so since winning the division in 2021.

Are they for real?  A large part of me says no.  Heading into last Friday’s series against the Phillies, they had the easiest schedule so far in the entire league.  They are currently in the middle of a gauntlet, facing the Phillies, Braves, Dodgers, and Yankees before their first meeting with the Guardians.  That said, the small piece that believes this might really be happening is growing.  After dropping two of three in Philadelphia, they’ve beaten the Braves, who have the best record in baseball, two straight.  They are 25-14 since Mike Vasil acquired his magic wand and, since the Crosstown Series against the Cubs in mid-May, they have the best record in baseball.

Assuming the weather holds out, they have one more game against the Braves tonight before the Dodgers come to town for the weekend.  If they can head into that Cleveland series with their heads above water, then I might just become a believer.

by admin

150 Years Of Cubs Baseball – Starting Pitchers Part 1

Originally founded in 1869, the Chicago Cubs became a charter member of the National League in 1876.  Over the next 150 seasons, the Cubs have played more than 22,000 games, scored over 103,000 runs and recorded more than 200,000 hits, more than any other team in baseball history.  Nearly 2,300 players have worn a Cubs uniform, earning eight division titles, 17 NL pennants, and three World Series championships.

Fans have witnessed generations of unforgettable players, from historical heroes like Joe Tinker, Gabby Hartnett, Ernie Banks, and Billy Williams to more recent stars like Ryne Sandberg, Derrek Lee, Kerry Wood, and Anthony Rizzo.  The team has called Wrigley Field home for 110 of those 150 seasons.

To celebrate this milestone, the Cubs are holding a fan vote to select the franchise’s anniversary team.  Each week, we will go through the provided options for each position and declare who should, and, if different, who will, win the fan vote.  We continue today with the first eight selections for starting pitcher.

Pete Alexander spent parts of nine seasons with the Cubs, from 1918-1926.  He missed the majority of 1918 after being drafted into the Army and being deployed to France.  In 1920, he won the pitching triple crown, leading the NL in wins, ERA, and strikeouts.  That turned out to be his last dominant season, thanks to injuries sustained in World War I, though he continued to be an effective pitcher for the remainder of his Cubs career.  In 1938, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame with 80.9% of the vote.

Jake Arrieta was acquired by the Cubs in July of 2013, making seven starts for Iowa before being recalled to the rebuilding big league club.  He turned into an ace for the team in 2015, winning the NL Cy Young Award, and was a key contributor to their World Series championship in 2016.  He threw two no-hitters, one in 2015 against the Dodgers and the second in 2016 against the Reds.  After leaving as a free agent following the 2017 season, he re-signed with the Cubs in 2021, with disastrous results.  He set the team record for highest ERA for a pitcher in a season with at least 20 starts.  He followed up his final appearance before his mid-August release, where he gave up 8 hits and 7 runs in the first inning, with a post-game tirade where he berated a reporter for wearing a mask, which he was required to do by city regulation, during a Zoom press conference.

Mordecai Brown spent two tours with the Cubs in the early 20th century, from 1904-1912 and again in 1916.  Nicknamed “Three Finger” due to a farming accident in his youth which mangled his right hand, the disfigurement gave him an unusual grip on the baseball, which gave his pitches extra topspin.  During his Cubs career, he topped the 20-win plateau six times and helped the franchise to their first two World Series titles in 1907 and 1908.  His 2.06 career ERA is the third best amongst Hall of Famers and the best amongst pitchers with at least 200 wins.  He was elected to the Hall of Fame posthumously in 1949.

Continue reading →

by admin

Historic Games Part Four

Last summer, the White Sox fell victim to Clayton Kershaw’s 3000th career strikeout and I decided to take a look back at the historic games I’ve attended over the years.  Here is part four, featuring another six games where an individual hit a career plateau or a team clinched a pennant.

October 19, 2017 – Dodgers 11, Cubs 1

With a decisive Game 5 victory over the Cubs in the NLCS, the Dodgers win the NL Pennant, avenging their loss from the year prior.  Kiké Hernández became just the fourth Dodger to hit a post-season grand slam and Chris Taylor and Justin Turner were named co-MVPs for the NLCS.  It was the third straight year the NL champion was crowned at Wrigley Field.

June 18, 2019 – White Sox 3, Cubs 1

With a 1-2 pitch that caught Ivan Nova looking in the top of the third inning at Wrigley Field, Cole Hamels became just the tenth left-hander to notch 2500 career strikeouts and the 38th overall.  He finished the day with eight strikeouts over seven innings, getting a no-decision as the crosstown rivals proved victorious.

May 25, 2021 – White Sox 8, Cardinals 3

With a socially distanced crowd in attendance, Joe West worked the 5,376th regular-season game of his umpiring career, eclipsing Bill Klem’s record that stood for 80 years.  Working behind the plate, West’s feat became official after the top of the fifth inning with the White Sox out to an early lead and, following the fifth inning, he was greeted by the San Diego Chicken, who presented West with a bouquet of multi-colored roses.  West retired at the end of the year, ending his 43-year career with 5,460 games umpired.

August 16, 2021 – White Sox 5, A’s 2

In the top of the 8th inning with a full count, Craig Kimbrel enticed Matt Chapman to chase a slider that ended up three feet outside of the zone to record his 1,000th career strikeout.  He finished the night with 1,001 strikeouts, all coming in relief.

September 3, 2023 – Tigers 3, White Sox 2

In his 875th game, Tim Anderson led off against Tarik Skubal and the Tigers, lacing the first pitch into the gap in left center field for his 1000th career hit.  He became just the 1343rd player in MLB history to reach that milestone and was the fifth quickest in White Sox history, trailing Bibb Falk, Magglio Ordonez, Frank Thomas, and Jose Abreu.

June 3, 2026 – A’s 5, Cubs 4

In the fourth inning of last night’s game against the homeless Athletics, Ian Happ doubled for his 1000th career hit.  He is just the 37th player to have 1000 hits as a Cub and the 1415th player in MLB history to reach the plateau.

by admin

150 Years Of Cubs Baseball – Outfielders Part 3

Originally founded in 1869, the Chicago Cubs became a charter member of the National League in 1876.  Over the next 150 seasons, the Cubs have played more than 22,000 games, scored over 103,000 runs and recorded more than 200,000 hits, more than any other team in baseball history.  Nearly 2,300 players have worn a Cubs uniform, earning eight division titles, 17 NL pennants, and three World Series championships.

Fans have witnessed generations of unforgettable players, from historical heroes like Joe Tinker, Gabby Hartnett, Ernie Banks, and Billy Williams to more recent stars like Ryne Sandberg, Derrek Lee, Kerry Wood, and Anthony Rizzo.  The team has called Wrigley Field home for 110 of those 150 seasons.

To celebrate this milestone, the Cubs are holding a fan vote to select the franchise’s anniversary team.  Each week, we will go through the provided options for each position and declare who should, and, if different, who will, win the fan vote.  We continue today with the final eight selections for outfielder.

Frank Schulte debuted for the Cubs in September of 1904.  He was part of four pennant-winning teams, including the back-to-back championships in 1907 and 1908.  He led the NL in home runs in 1910 and 1911, when he became the first player in MLB history to have 20 or more doubles, triples, home runs, and stolen bases in a single season.  That feat earned him the NL MVP award, then known as the Chalmers Award.  He remained with the Cubs through July of 1916.

Jimmy Sheckard spent seven seasons with the Cubs near the turn of the 20th Century, helping the team to four NL pennants and World Series Championships in 1907 and 1908.  One of the most versatile outfielders of his time, Sheckard still holds the record for most double plays as a left fielder, with twelve in 1911.  His best offensive season also came in 1911, leading the NL in runs and walks, and his 147 walks remains a team record.

Jimmy Slagle manned center field for seven seasons, helping the Cubs win back-to-back-to-back NL championships from 1906-1908, the latter two ending with World Series titles.  He is the first player to accomplish a straight steal of home plate in a World Series in 1907.  A classic leadoff man for his era, Slagle was known for his speed, contact hitting, and exceptional defense.

Continue reading →

by admin

Setting More Records

With his seventh inning home run last night against the Twins, Munetaka Murakami became the first rookie in MLB history to reach the 20-home run plateau before the start of June.  The previous rookie mark of 19 was held by Pete Alonso and Mark McGwire.  He joins Frank Thomas and Jim Thome as the only White Sox players overall to reach the mark.

The White Sox have four more games scheduled through the remainder of May.

by admin

150 Years Of Cubs Baseball – Outfielders Part 2

Originally founded in 1869, the Chicago Cubs became a charter member of the National League in 1876.  Over the next 150 seasons, the Cubs have played more than 22,000 games, scored over 103,000 runs and recorded more than 200,000 hits, more than any other team in baseball history.  Nearly 2,300 players have worn a Cubs uniform, earning eight division titles, 17 NL pennants, and three World Series championships.

Fans have witnessed generations of unforgettable players, from historical heroes like Joe Tinker, Gabby Hartnett, Ernie Banks, and Billy Williams to more recent stars like Ryne Sandberg, Derrek Lee, Kerry Wood, and Anthony Rizzo.  The team has called Wrigley Field home for 110 of those 150 seasons.

To celebrate this milestone, the Cubs are holding a fan vote to select the franchise’s anniversary team.  Each week, we will go through the provided options for each position and declare who should, and, if different, who will, win the fan vote.  We continue today with the second eight selections for outfielder.

Jason Heyward signed an 8-year, $184 million contract with the Cubs in December of 2015.  His place in Cubs lore was set when he was credited with leading an inspiring, players-only meeting during the 17-minute rain delay towards the end of Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, after which the Cubs stormed out and took the lead in the 10th inning, leading to their first championship in 108 years.  While he never quite produced enough to justify his lofty contract and the team failed to duplicate their 2016 success, he became as much of a scapegoat as anyone else on the roster, eventually seeing his playing time reduced.  In addition to his World Series ring, Heyward won Gold Glove awards in both 2016 and 2017.

King Kelly emerged as one of 19th‑century baseball’s first true superstars as a member of the White Stockings.  He led the NL in runs scored for three consecutive seasons, from 1884 through 1889 and also won the NL batting title in both 1884 and 1886.  During his seven years with the franchise, they won five NL pennants.  In 1945, he was elected to the Hall of Fame.

Bill Lange spent his entire seven-year MLB career with the Colts/Orphans, becoming a full-time center fielder in 1894.  He retired at age 28 to marry a woman whose father had forbid her from marrying a ballplayer, finishing his career with a .330 batting average.  In 1897, he led the NL in stolen bases.  He is a member of the Cubs Hall of Fame.

Continue reading →

by admin

No Bets For You

After just two years, DraftKings announced that they will be shuttering their in-person sportsbook hanging off the side of Wrigley Field on May 31.  In a statement, the company says, “The cost of operating in Illinois, including its high tax structure, makes it more difficult to justify continued investment in a standalone retail sportsbook.”  The sports bar part of the operation will continue, as will the DraftKings sponsorship.

As part of this change, the area should become a little more accessible.  With the removal of the sportsbook, the requirement to be 21 to enter should be removed.  Additionally, fans will be able to enter and exit into the ballpark itself eventually, similar to Gallagher Way.  That change will likely limit the building on game days to those with a ticket.

Short term, there should be no financial impact for the Cubs.  The original deal was $100 million for ten years and, while the two sides shared some revenue from food and beverage sales, the Cubs were not involved in the gambling end of the partnership.  Long term, I’m sure that $100 million figure included some expectation of revenues to be generated from the sportsbook, and it seems unlikely that a renewal will touch that amount.

Nearly three years since the building first opened as a sports bar, I’ve only been inside once, and that was just for a quick walkaround.  The next dollar I spend there will be my first, and I don’t envision that changing anytime soon.