Sports History

Grover Cleveland Alexander, nicknamed "Old Pete," carved his name into baseball history with a career of dominance and longevity. In 1887, Alexander debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1911, setting a rookie record with 28 wins. This was just the beginning of a remarkable journey that saw him amass 377 victories across 20 seasons, the most ever for a pitcher who never threw a no-hitter.

Alexander's success stemmed from a potent combination of talent and grit. He possessed a deceptive curveball and a fastball that kept hitters guessing. More importantly, he displayed a fierce competitive spirit that pushed him to excel, even in the face of adversity. His work ethic was legendary, often pitching complete games on short rest. This relentless drive earned him the respect of his teammates and the fear of opponents.

Beyond wins, Alexander's accolades speak volumes. He won three pitching Triple Crowns, a feat signifying the league leader in wins, earned run average (ERA), and strikeouts. He led his team to the 1926 World Series championship with the St. Louis Cardinals, a crowning achievement in a career filled with individual and collective triumphs.

Despite a decline in later years, Alexander retired in 1930 with a remarkable .642 winning percentage, ranking among the highest in baseball history. His dedication to the game and fierce competitiveness cemented his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938.

Cap Anson, born Adrian Constantine Anson, was a titan of 19th-century baseball. His impact on the game is undeniable, yet it is deeply intertwined with the abhorrent racism that plagued the sport for far too long. This essay explores Anson's remarkable on-field achievements, his managerial prowess, and the dark stain of his segregationist views.

Anson's baseball journey began in the National Association (NA) before flourishing in the newly formed National League. He quickly established himself as a dominant force, a feared hitter with exceptional bat control. His leadership qualities were evident, and he captained the Chicago White Stockings (later Cubs) to five National League pennants in the 1880s. His innovative tactics, including the use of signals and a focus on pitching rotation, helped shape the game's strategic evolution.

Anson's offensive prowess was legendary. He was one of the first players to reach the coveted 3,000-hit mark, a testament to his longevity and consistency. He led the league in runs batted in (RBI) an astonishing seven times and remains a franchise record holder for the Chicago Cubs in numerous offensive categories.

However, Anson's legacy is deeply tarnished by his unwavering racism. He vehemently opposed integration in baseball, refusing to take the field against teams with Black players. This stance, unfortunately, reflected broader societal prejudices of the time. While his contributions to the game's on-field development are undeniable, his racist views cast a long shadow and represent a dark chapter in baseball history.

The complexities of Cap Anson's legacy demand a nuanced approach. He was a baseball pioneer, a skilled player, and a shrewd manager who helped shape the sport we know today. However, his racism cannot be ignored or downplayed. It is a critical part of baseball's history, a reminder of the sport's long journey towards inclusivity.

Born April 17, 1852, in Marshalltown, Iowa, was Baseball Hall of Fame infielder Cap Anson. Including his time in the National Association, Cap played a record 27 consecutive seasons. Anson was regarded as one of the greatest players of his era and one of the first superstars of the early MLB. He spent most of his career with the Chicago Cubs franchise (then known as the "White Stockings" and later the "Colts"), serving as the club's manager, first baseman and, later in his tenure, minority owner.

Hack Wilson carved his name into baseball history despite a relatively short, yet impactful, career.

Born April 26, 1900, in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, was Baseball Hall of Fame Center Fielder Hack Wilson. Hack played in the MLB for 12 seasons putting on the uniforms of the New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.

Here's a summary:

-Powerhouse Hitter: Nicknamed "Hack" after a wrestler, Wilson was a feared slugger known for his incredible power. He finished his career with a .307 batting average, 244 home runs (NL record for 68 years), and over 1,000 RBIs.

-Dominant Stretch: Wilson's most impressive years came in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He achieved four consecutive seasons with over 50 home runs, culminating in a record-breaking 1930 season with the Chicago Cubs. That year, he smashed an NL-record 56 home runs (broken by Sammy Sosa in 1998) and drove in a staggering 191 runs (still a major league record).

-Defensive Shortcomings: While a force offensively, Wilson wasn't known for his defense, primarily playing center field.

-Later Career and Legacy: Injuries and struggles with alcohol hampered Wilson's later years. Despite a relatively short career (12 seasons), his impact is undeniable. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, a testament to his dominance during his prime years. He remains the shortest player (5'6") to hit over 200 career home runs.

Born June 11, 1879, in Toledo, Ohio, was Baseball Hall of Fame Catcher Roger Bresnahan. Roger's MLB career extended for 18 seasons as he played on the Washington Senators (1897), Chicago Orphans (1900), Baltimore Orioles (1901–02), New York Giants (1902–1908), St. Louis Cardinals (1909–1912) and Chicago Cubs (1913–1915). Bresnahan also managed the Cardinals (1909–1912) and Cubs (1915). Roger was a pivotal player on the 1905 World Series Champion Giants team. Bresnahan helped make popular the use of protective equipment in baseball by introducing shin guards, for catchers, in 1907 and later a batting helmet.

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The BleedCubbieBlue.com crew goes all out to share some top moments on baseball for June 13 including:
1994 - Ryne Sandberg of the Chicago Cubs gives up $16 million in salary by announcing his retirement at the age of 34.

The BleedCubbieBlue.com crew goes all out to share some top moments on baseball for June 7 including:

1906 - The Chicago Cubs, now in first place again, score 11 runs in the first inning off Christy Mathewson and Joe McGinnity en route to a humiliating 19-0 defeat of the New York Giants.

1910 - In his major league debut, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Eddie Stack stops the Chicago Cubs, 1-0 on three hits.

Alfonso Guilleard Soriano (born January 7, 1976) is a Dominican former professional baseball left fielder and second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, and Chicago Cubs

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The ThisDayinBaseball.com website provides dozens of June 17 events including this gem:
1915 - Cubs right-hander reliever Zip Zabel pitches 18 innings in relief.

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