The Chicago teams of the 1880s were far more successful than those of the previous decade. The franchise captured the league pennant in half of the decade’s seasons; thus, despite losing the World Series in ‘86, the teams of this decade achieved one of the most successful periods in franchise history. Crafted by both A.G. […]
Author: Mary Craig
A Game with the 1870s Cubs
Three years after the full professionalization of the 1867 Cincinnati Red Stockings, Chicago created its first professional baseball team, The Chicago Base Ball Club, quickly dubbed the Chicago White Stockings. The team fared well in its first two years, but was forced to quit the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players at the end […]
The 1969 Cubs and How to be Happy
The question of what constitutes human happiness is one that has attracted the attention of many philosophers throughout history. The Ancient Greeks understood it by the term eudaimonia, the combining of the words “good” and “spirit,” and though there was no real consensus of how to achieve it, they generally believed, as Aristotle stated, that […]
NLCS Game Two Recap: Dodgers 4, Cubs 1
As they prepared to meet the Spartans in a naval battle outside the city of Naupactus during the second year of the Peloponnesian War, the Athenian soldiers trembled at the overwhelming numbers and strength of their opponent. Sensing this fear, their general, Phormio, spoke to them, declaring that their inferiority in numbers was compensated for […]
NLDS Game 3 Recap: Cubs 2, Nationals 1
What You Need to Know: Both Quintana and Scherzer—effectively keeping pace with each other—pitched well through six innings, limiting the damage of a few of defensive miscues. The Nationals broke the scoreless tie in the 6th after a messy Schwarber two-error missed catch landed on third. The Cubs tied the game in the 7th, chasing […]
Sweetbread Bailey, Abraham Lincoln, and Redefining Time
Abraham Lincoln “Sweetbread” Bailey was the third and final of such a name to play professional baseball, following “Ham” Wade and Abe Wolstenholme. None of these three baseball players have much in common with President Abraham Lincoln save for their name, a shared love of baseball, and coincidental dates here and there. Moreover, all three […]
Remembering a Puerto Rican Baseball Hero
If you feel moved in any way by this piece, please consider donating to United for Puerto Rico to aid America’s forgotten people in their lengthy, arduous recovery from Hurricane Maria. On February 9th, 1995, over 23,000 fans packed themselves into the 18,000 seat Hiram Bithorn Stadium to watch Puerto Rico’s “Dream Team” take on […]
Game 147 Recap: Cubs 8, Cardinals 2
What You Need To Know: This game was shaping up to be yet another frustrating affair, as Carlos Martinez dominated the Cubs and Tommy Pham hit a solo home run in the first to give them the lead through the first 3.5 innings. Then, Lackey and Contreras got ejected in the 5th after allowing the […]
Billy Jurges: The Literal Replacement Player
Billy Jurges burst onto the baseball scene in likely the most unexpected and mysterious manner possible. In his first full year with the Cubs, Jurges played well enough to garner the appreciation of Cubs fans, but it was not until two months into the season, on July 6th, 1932, that Jurges cemented himself as a […]
Game 141 Recap: Brewers 2, Cubs 0
What You Need To Know: Ryan Braun got the scoring started in the first inning when he hit a 2-run home run. The Cubs threatened to score in the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th inning, getting a runner to at least 2nd base in each of these frames, but the hitless bottom of the order routinely […]