Sports History

Born July 16, 1887, in Pickens County, South Carolina , Baseball Outfielder, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. Joe's MLB career exteneded from 1908-20 with most notably the Chicago White Sox, But also the Philadelphia Athletics, and the Cleveland Naps. Jackson's MLB career batting average sat at .356, and is the fourth highest in the history of Major League Baseball. Jackson recalled he got his nickname during a mill game played in Greenville, South Carolina. Jackson had blisters on his foot from a new pair of cleats, which hurt so much that he took his shoes off before he was at bat. As play continued, a heckling fan noticed Jackson running to third base in his socks, and shouted "You shoeless son of a gun, you!" and the resulting nickname "Shoeless Joe" stuck with him. Jackson and the White Sox won the American League pennant and also the World Series. During the series, Jackson hit .307 as the White Sox defeated the New York Giants. Shoeless is often remembered for his association with the Black Sox Scandal, in which members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox participated in a conspiracy to fix the World Series. As a result, Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis banned Jackson from baseball after the 1920 season. Jackson holds the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox franchise records for triples in a season and career batting average. In 1999, he ranked number 35 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players and was a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

Born October 13, 1876, in Bradford, Pennsylvania, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher, Rube Waddell. The solidly built left-hander, played for 13 seasons in the Majors, with the Louisville Colonels, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Orphans in the National League, as well as the Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Browns in the American League.

Rube was also in 1902 set to play on Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics football team but decided against it. Mack later said, "There was a little fellow from Wanamaker's who asked for the job of quarterback. I don't think he weighed more than 140 [lbs]. Well, the first practice Waddell tackled him and broke his leg. It was the first inkling John [Shibe] and I had that players could be badly hurt in football. We got Rube out of there without delay. He was supposed to be pretty good, but we never found out." Waddell returned to his family's home in Pennsylvania and played with local football clubs there. He played with various football teams in his later years and had a brief stint as a goalkeeper in the St. Louis Soccer League

Born October 27, 1922, in Santa Rita, New Mexico was Baseball Hall of Fame Left Fielder, Ralph Kiner. This legend was the National League Homerun leader in 1946–52. Kiner was a six-time MLB All-Star spending the majority of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but also spent time in the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs organizations.

Charles Leo Hartnett, better known as "Gabby" or "Old Tomato Face," etched his name in baseball history not just for his fierce determination and iconic nickname, but for his incredible talent and impact on the Chicago Cubs organization. Here's a glimpse into his remarkable MLB career:

-A Forceful Backstop (1922-1941):

Joining the Cubs at 21, Hartnett quickly established himself as an elite defensive catcher. His throwing arm was legendary, boasting multiple outfield assists and earning him the nickname "the Human Cannon."
Behind the plate, his masterful game-calling and leadership guided the Cubs pitching staff to numerous victories. He even set a National League record with 452 consecutive errorless chances.


While defense was his trademark, Hartnett didn't slouch with the bat. He wielded a powerful swing, racking up 236 home runs, including a then-record 24 for a catcher in 1925. His career batting average of .297 and 1,179 RBIs further solidified his offensive prowess.
Championship Glory and Leadership (1929-1938):

Hartnett was a central figure in the Cubs' 1929 World Series championship victory, hitting a crucial two-run double in the decisive Game 7.


He served as player-manager from 1938 to 1940, leading the Cubs to another World Series appearance in 1938 and further showcasing his well-rounded baseball acumen.


His on-field leadership and calm demeanor earned him the respect of teammates and fans alike, cementing his status as a true franchise icon.


-The "Homer in the Gloamin'" and Enduring Legacy (1938-1972):

Perhaps Hartnett's most iconic moment came in 1938, with the Cubs neck-and-neck with the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 28th. In the last inning, with two outs and the bases loaded, he launched a dramatic walk-off home run into the twilight sky, securing the pennant for the Cubs and etching the memory of "The Homer in the Gloamin'" into baseball lore.


Hartnett retired in 1941 with a legacy of dominance and leadership. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955, further solidifying his place among the baseball greats.


-More Than Just Stats:

Beyond the impressive statistics, Hartnett's impact goes beyond the field. He was a beloved figure in Chicago, known for his humility, work ethic, and unwavering commitment to the Cubs. His passionate play and fierce determination became synonymous with the team's fighting spirit, inspiring generations of players and fans.

Born May 2, 1887, in Millerton, New York, was Baseball Hall of Fame infielder Eddie Collins. Collins played for the Philadelphia A's and Chicago White Sox during his MLB career. Eddie was on the World Series Champion teams of 1910, 11, 13, 17, 29, 30; AL MVP 1914; 4 x AL stolen base leader.

Born May 27, 1968 in Columbus, Georgia, was Baseball Hall of Fame First Baseman, Frank Thomas. Known as "The Big Hurt," Thomas was a powerful hitter in the MLB from 1990 to 2008. Most of his career was spent on the roster of the Chicago White Sox, although the final three years were scattered between the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays. Frank had 521 career HRs, with a career batting average of .301, and over 1700 RBIs.

Born July 21, 1881, in Troy, New York, was Baseball Hall of Fame Second Baseman Johnny Evers. Evers was part of the World Series Champion teams of 1907, 08 as a member of the Chicago Orphans/Cubs. In 1914 Johnny won the National League and the World Series MVP honors with the Boston Braves. He later served as the manager of the Chicago Cubs and went again tho the World Series. Evers was a smart ball player but he also had a salty temperment that he sometimes took out on umpires. Evers was a part of a great double-play combination with Joe Tinker and Frank Chance, which was immortalized as "Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance" in the poem "Baseball's Sad Lexicon". Evers was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1946.

Born September 6, 1888, in Cascade, Iowa, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher, Red Faber. This legend was a World Series Champion in 1917 as a member of the Chicago White Sox. He was also the American League ERA leader 1921, 22. He played with the Chicago White Sox from 1914-33.

Faber won 254 games over his career, a total which ranked 17th-highest in history upon his retirement. At the time of his retirement, he was the last legal spitballer in the American League; another legal spitballer, Burleigh Grimes, was later traded to the AL and appeared in 10 games for the Yankees in 1934. Faber was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964.

Ferguson Arthur Jenkins, better known as "Fergie," wasn't just a right-handed pitcher but a force of nature on the mound. From 1965 to 1983, his 19-year career carved a path through the major leagues, leaving a trail of strikeouts, complete games, and accolades.
Born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, in 1942, Jenkins' talent blossomed in the minor leagues. His effortless grace and pinpoint control quickly caught the eye of the Philadelphia Phillies, who called him up in 1965. The following year, he cemented his place as a rising star, winning 20 games and finishing second in the Cy Young Award vote.
This was just the beginning. For the next seven seasons, Jenkins became a model of consistency. He notched at least 20 wins yearly, a feat only Warren Spahn had achieved in the previous decade. With his trademark high leg kick and smooth delivery, he led the league in complete games four times and earned the Cy Young Award in 1971 and 1974.
Jenkins's journey was far from having smooth sailing. Trades led him to the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, and Boston Red Sox, but his dominance remained unfazed. 1979 with the Cubs, he threw the fourth and final no-hitter of his career, tying Nolan Ryan's record. His 300th career win came in 1982, solidifying his place among the all-time greats.
He retired in 1983 with 3,141 strikeouts, ranked 10th all-time then, and a win-loss record of 284-229. In 1991, he joined baseball's highest honor, the Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving over 80% of the vote.

Fergie Jenkins wasn't just a pitcher; he was a craftsman, an artist of the mound. His legacy stretches far beyond his impressive statistics. He inspired generations of Canadian players, proved that consistency reigns supreme, and etched his name in the pantheon of baseball's elite. The quiet man with the powerful arm forever holds a place among the game's legends.

Born August 12, 1892, in Harvel, Illinois, was Baseball Hall of Fame Catcher, Ray Schalk. in Major League Baseball for 18 seasons, from 1912 to 1929. He played for the Chicago White Sox for most of his career, and also spent one season with the New York Giants.

Schalk was a master of the defensive side of the game. To his credit he was able to handle pitchers and many times made them have better performances on the mound. He led the American League in fielding percentage eight times and putouts nine times. He was also credited with catching four no-hitters, though one of those was later taken away.

Schalk was not a power hitter, but he was a reliable contact hitter. He had a career batting average of .253, with 11 home runs and 594 RBIs. He was also a good base runner, stealing 177 bases in his career.

Schalk was a key member of the White Sox teams that won the World Series in 1917 and 1919. He was also a player-manager for the White Sox in 1927 and 1928.

Ray Schalk's career highlights:

-Led the American League in fielding percentage eight times (1913, 1914, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1920, 1921, and 1925)
-Led the American League in putouts nine times (1913, 1914, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1920, 1921, 1923, and 1925)
-Caught four no-hitters (one was later taken away)
-Won two World Series championships (1917 and 1919)
-Played in 1,762 games
-Batted .253 with 11 home runs and 594 RBIs
-Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955