Sports History

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 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.

Joseph Bert Tinker, better known simply as Joe Tinker, wasn't a flashy power hitter or a strikeout king. But what he lacked in raw power, he more than compensated for with consistency, defense, and leadership. Tinker carved out a remarkable 17-year career, becoming synonymous with the Chicago Cubs dynasty of the early 20th century.

-Road to Baseball Greatness

Tinker's journey began in the minor leagues, where his defensive prowess at shortstop caught the eye of the Cubs. He made his major league debut in 1902 and quickly established himself as a reliable fielder, earning the nickname "Stonehands Tinker" for his fielding brilliance.

But Tinker's value extended far beyond his glove. He developed into a capable hitter, batting over .260 for his career. More importantly, he knew the game, calling pitches with intelligence and guiding young players on the field.

However, Tinker's legacy is forever intertwined with that of his teammates, Johnny Evers at second base and Frank Chance at first. Together, they formed one of baseball's most legendary double-play combinations. Their flawless coordination and slick-fielding became a nightmare for opposing teams, earning them a place in baseball folklore through the immortalized verse, "Tinker to Evers to Chance."

Tinker's time with the Cubs was marked by success. He secured four National League pennants and two World Series championships (1907, 1908). After stints with Cincinnati and Chicago again, he retired in 1916, leaving a lasting impact on the game.

Joe Tinker wasn't a headline-grabbing superstar but the quiet force behind a championship team. His defensive mastery, consistent hitting, and on-field leadership were instrumental in the Cubs' golden age. He remains a testament to the vital role of "glue guys" in building a winning team.

-Legacy of Tinker

Born July 27, 1880, in Muscotah, Kansas, was Baseball Hall of Fame Shortstop Joe Tinker. This legend was a member of the World Series Champion 1907 and 08 Chicago Orphans/Cubs, played with Cincinnati Reds for a year before a stint in the Federal League, leading the Chicago Whales to a title, and later returned to the MLB as the player-manager of the Chicago Cubs.

With the Cubs, Tinker was a part of a great double-play combination with teammates Johnny Evers and Frank Chance that was immortalized as "Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance" in the poem "Baseball's Sad Lexicon". However, Evers and Tinker feuded off the field. Tinker was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946.

A forgotten player from the turn of the last century was Hall of Fame First baseman and World Series Champ Frank Chance.

Born September 9, 1877, in Salida, California, was Baseball Hall of Fame First Baseman, Frank Chance. This legend was a World Series Champion in 1907, 08 with the Chicago Cubs. Chance was the National League stolen base leader and the NL runs leader 1906.

Frank started playing ball for the Cubs organization when they were called the Chicago Orphans in 1898 and played right through the 1903 season when the Cubs moniker was adopted. Chance also served as a manager of the Chicago Cubs, NY Yankees, and Boston Red Sox after his playing career.

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.

Born November 20, 1869, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher and Outfielder Clark Griffith. This legend was a pioneer of baseball and had the lowest ERA of any pitcher of his time playing. Griffith played with the St. Louis Browns, Boston Reds, Chicago Colts, and Chicago Orphans. Later, he stayed on the bench, serving as the player-manager for the Chicago White Stockings and New York Highlanders ball clubs.