lis 620 cubs paper final
TRANSCRIPT
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THE CHICAGO CUBS
Kyle Butler
LIS 620
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SCOPE
This paper and bibliography focuses on the history of baseballs lovable
losers, the Chicago Cubs. Once a mighty baseball power around the turn of the
20th century, the Cubs have fallen victim to one bad break after another, failing to
capture the World Series since 1908.
Ask a random fan on the street to define the Cubs, and chances are hell
point out the teams inability to win baseballs ultimate prize. However, that is
just a small part of the franchises story. The history of the Cubs, in a way, is a
lesson in life. There are good times, and there are bad times. In order to
effectively survive the latter, people must persevere, stay optimistic through
downturns and often tragedy, and never lose hope. Cubs fans understand this
lesson. They live through a baseball season with a mentality befitting Eeyore the
Donkey: that whatever can go wrong, will. Yet despite each and every inevitable
disaster that befalls the Cubs, when the season ends, these fans never cease
believing that one day, one year, their beloved ballclub will finally win it all.
The time period for this bibliography spans the length of the National
Leagues history, beginning in 1876 and leading up to the present-day. While
there was a team in Chicago prior to 1876, the league set-up was rather poor and
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record-keeping was sketchy. Additionally, the team in Chicago did not play for
two seasons following the tragic Chicago fire of 1871. The team really started to
form an identity with the launch of the National League and the arrival of Albert
Spalding in the Windy City.
The introduction and the bibliography are divided into four sections, or eras of
Chicago White Stockings (later Cubs) baseball. The first era runs from 1876-1908
when Chicago had the best team in baseball. Era #2 goes from 1909-1945, a time
that featured many strong teams and Chicagos last trip to the World Series. The
third era, from 1946-1983 denotes the dark ages, when the Cubs were rarely
competitive and often irrelevant. Finally, the 4th era brings the story of the Cubs
up to the present, featuring a combination of tremendous high points and
equally horrible low moments.
1876-1908
HOORAY FOR CAPTAIN SPALDING!
The year 1876 marked Americas centennial, and was a truly noteworthy
time featuring many historic events. In Boston, Alexander Graham Bell invented
the telephone. Out west, General George Custer could have used such a device to
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avoid being annihilated by Native American tribes at the Little Bighorn in
Montana. Additionally, 1876 was a year that marked a huge milestone in the
game of baseball, with the formation of the National League of Professional
Baseball Clubs. The league was built due to the collaboration of several men, but
by far the man most responsible was a savvy 26-year old player by the name of
Albert Spalding. In modern times, the name Spalding is remembered solely by
people familiar with the sporting goods company that still bears his name. In
baseball circles, his name doesnt receive the publicity compared to other figures
from the games infant stages. Yet it was this man who arguably had a greater
influence on baseball than anyone else over the games first century.
In addition to being the catalyst behind the formation of the new National
League, Spalding created another huge stir when he announced plans to leave
Boston for the newly formed team in his hometown of Chicago. The city was still
recovering from the devastating fire of 1871 that had left 1/3 of its residents
homeless. Chicago undertook a massive rebuilding project. Utilizing new
technologies to build skyscrapers, Chicago was determined to rise from the ashes
to new heights. Riding this wave of recovery, Spalding was busy building a
dominant ballclub to call the city home. The team, known as the White
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Stockings not only featured baseballs best pitcher in Spalding himself, but a
number of great players from the other roving teams. Deacon White, Ross
Barnes, and Adrian Cap Anson were among the stars that team captain
Spalding convinced to join him in Chicago. Just like that, baseball had its first
dynasty.
Spaldings influence continued to know no boundaries over the next
twenty years. He convinced National League officials that only his brand of
baseballs could be used in league games. In 1877, he helped popularize baseball
gloves, also marketed by the Spalding Company. Upset over the notion that
baseball was invented overseas, Spalding even helped create the myth that Civil
War general Abner Doubleday was responsible for constructing the game, an
erroneous story that lasted into the 20th century. Whatever the situation, Albert
Spalding seemed to continuously get his way. However, Spaldings direct
influence on individual games ended just two years later. In 1878, with his
business endeavors expanding, Spalding retired from playing baseball at the
youthful age of 28, though he would buy the White Stockings four years later. As
team captain, he would be replaced by a man who, like his predecessor, was
fierce on the field and popular off it.
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A NEW CAPTAIN IN CHARGE
Cap Ansons story has two sides to it. He was an enormously successful
hitter, with over 3000 hits to his credit. He was also the Babe Ruth of his earlier
generation. During the 1880s and 90s, Ansons popularity exceeded every
public figure in the city of Chicago. Yet there was a dark side to Anson, as
Chicagos hero was an unapologetic bigot who many argue did more to keep
baseball segregated than anyone else. Whether Anson really did wield that kind
of power over the game is unlikely, as most of the team owners at that time were
also racist. It is clear, however, that
Anson was prejudiced against both
the Irish and blacks, and his disdain
for the latter is particularly evident
in his later writings. Ansons
opinions at the time were virtually
ignored. Chicago was a segregated
city in the 1880s, and Ansons
beliefs were not out of the mainstream.
Adrian Cap Anson played 27 seasons, and is
widely regarded as the greatest hitter from the
pre-20th
century era.
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With Anson in charge, the White Stockings continued to dominate the
National League. The team rolled to championships in 1880, 1881, 1882, 1885,
and 1886. Anson, Mike King Kelly, and a young scrapper/future
fundamentalist preacher named Billy Sunday mastered the art of winning
baseball. Despite the fact that almost everyone with the exception of Anson and
Sunday were hard-living men who drank heavily on a daily basis, the White
Stockings were unstoppable. Chicago was the baseball power of the nation, a
concept that seems thoroughly bizarre considering what the 20th century had in
store.
TINKER TO EVERS TO CHANCE
Towards the end of the 1890s, Anson and his Chicago nine found
themselves embroiled in hard times. Many great ballplayers had left the game,
and sadly the wild lifestyle of King Kelly caught up to him, resulting in his
premature death at the age of 36. After a falling out with Spalding, Anson was let
go as team captain, and Chicago slid into mediocrity for several seasons.
Desperately needing a new direction, the team made big changes in 1902. An
aging Spalding, who had officially owned the club for 20 years, sold his interest
in the team. With a new owner and new players, the team sought a new identity
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as well. Thinking they needed a name indicative of bear-like strength and playful
disposition, the Chicago franchise took the nickname Cubs. It didnt take long
for these Cubs to become full-grown bears on the diamond, thanks in large part
to a trio of players: shortstop Joe Tinker, second baseman Johnny Evers, and first
baseman Frank Chance.
The double play in baseball, when two outs are recorded during the
process of one continuous play, wasnt invented by Tinker, Evers, and Chance.
They didnt execute the play more often than any other group of infielders. Yet
their names are synonymous with the double play and immortalized in verse,
thanks to a New York writer named Franklin Adams. After a game in which the
trios double play killed a Giants rally, Adams summed up the feelings of New
York Giants fans in a poem
entitled Baseballs Sad
Lexicon, which features the line
These are the saddest of
possible words: Tinker to Evers
to Chance. Though their feats at
turning the double play may
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have been somewhat exaggerated, the three men did play well together,
remarkably so, considering that Tinker and Evers hated each other and didnt
even speak off the field. They also displayed extraordinary toughness. Chance in
particular showed no fear on the diamond, refusing to duck out of the way of
any pitched ball aimed at his head, which resulted in enormous respect from his
men, and, sadly, enormous headaches for the rest of his life. The Peerless
Leader became an easy choice to manage the Cubs midway through 1905, and
by the time 1906 rolled around, Chicago was ready once again to become the
center of the baseball world.
DYNASTY: PART II
The 1906 Chicago Cubs were one of the most dominating teams in the
history of baseball. Winning an unprecedented 116 games against just 36 losses,
the Cubs were the class of the league. In the days of Spalding and Anson, the
best record during the season automatically gave that team a championship.
However, with the formation of the American League in 1901, the winners of
both leagues now faced off in the World Series, a best of seven game format to
determine the true baseball champion. Frank Chances Cubs took on their cross-
town rivals, the Chicago White Sox, a clash that threw the city into a frenzy.
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Thousands of people flooded Chicagos streets outside the ballpark, with the
citys police force doing their best to prevent a full-fledged riot from breaking
out. Despite having a seemingly superior team in every aspect, the Cubs lost the
series 4 games to 2. Such a devastating loss could have led a team to tank the
following season, but Chance wasnt about to let that happen. Motivated more
than ever, the Cubs rolled through opponents en route to capturing the National
League again in 1907. There would be no October letdown this time for the Cubs,
who easily beat the Detroit Tigers and famed outfielder Ty Cobb in the Series.
For the first time in 21 years, the Cubs were the champions of baseball, but
defending the title the following season would prove to be their greatest
challenge yet.
1908: CHAMPIONSHIP AND CONTROVERSY
Tabbed by many baseball historians as the games greatest season, the 1908
campaign featured a back and forth battle for the National League pennant
between the Cubs and their archrivals, the New York Giants. Years before
Yankees-Red Sox became baseballs biggest rivalry, the battles between the Cubs
and Giants frequently turned into wild, contentious affairs. Yet nobody could
have imagined what would transpire in a game between the two clubs that
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September. In a tie game with daylight rapidly fading, New York appeared to
win the game on a bases loaded single. Fans stormed the field in celebration,
when Johnny Evers noticed that young Giants player Fred Merkle had failed to
touch 2nd base on the play, and instead, tried to dodge the fans en route to the
clubhouse. Evers, realizing he could make a force-out at 2nd base, screamed for a
Cub teammate to throw him the ball, which was in the midst of a mob of people.
Cubs players, fighting with fans, eventually got the ball to Evers. The umpire
ruled Merkle out, called the game a tie due to darkness, and a near riot ensued.
After weeks of protests filed by both clubs, the league office determined the
umpires call was correct, and the game would be replayed if necessary.
Naturally, it became necessary when the Cubs and Giants finished the season
tied for first place. Chicago won the rematch to take the pennant, then bolted off
the field dodging a downpour of items thrown by irate Giants fans.
After all the chaos of the regular season, there was still a World Series to be
played. The Cubs faced the Detroit Tigers for the 2nd straight season. Ty Cobb
and his teammates desperately sought revenge for their loss in 1907. After what
Chicago had faced already against New York, nothing was going to faze the
Cubs, who shut down Cobb and dominated the Series.
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Tinker, Evers, Chance, and the rest of the Chicago Cubs had completed a
remarkable run. The team had captured three straight league pennants, two
straight World Series titles, and a record number of wins. The Cubs popularity
was second to none in baseball, and the players were idolized throughout the
streets of the Windy City. In 1908, without question, the Chicago Cubs were a
dynasty, perched squarely on top of the baseball world.
They have never been back since.
1909-1945
HEADIN NORTH
The decade that followed the memorable 1908 season brought big changes
to the Cubs franchise. While the team did stay competitive on the field, many
greats, including Tinker, Evers, and Chance moved on to other ball clubs. The
rest of the Cubs were on the move as well in 1916, when restaurateur Charles
Weeghman bought the team and moved them from the citys West Side to the
North Side. Weeghman had just built a brand new 16,000 seat stadium and,
despite his connections to gamblers and the mob, was allowed to purchase the
club. While many sportswriters voiced concerns that the team would not be
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nearly as successful financially on the North Side, Weeghman was convinced
that fans would love his new stadium.
FROM WEEGHMAN TO WRIGLEY
Unfortunately for Charles Weeghman, a series of bad investments left the
Cubs owner buried under a mountain of debt. By 1919, the once-wealthy
magnate had gone under, and was forced to sell his majority ownership in the
team. Stepping up to the plate to take over was the chairman of the booming
chewing gum industry, William Wrigley. Wrigley already held a number of
shares in the Cubs and, unlike
Weeghman, was bringing in
millions. His already profitable
gum business had exploded
with the outbreak of World
War I, when American soldiers
helped introduce Wrigleys
gum to Europeans. Throughout
the 1920s, Wrigley not only Owner William Wrigley throws out ceremonial first pitchbefore Cubs game.
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changed the skyline of Chicago with the enormous Wrigley skyscraper, but
changed the face of the Cubs as well. Wrigley had built his empire primarily due
to enormous advertising campaigns, and that didnt stop when he purchased the
Cubs. Weeghman Park became Wrigley Field, and Wrigley was adamant that his
stadium become the best in all of baseball. Unlike many owners who dont
particularly care about the fortunes of the team on the field as long as they turn a
profit, Wrigley legitimately cared about winning. While the Cubs were not
always successful, it was not because of a lack of trying on Wrigleys part. He
was committed to take risks and spend top dollar in order to try and improve his
Cubs. Wrigleys death in 1932 was mourned by the entire city of Chicago.
Decisions made by future Cubs owners, including Wrigleys son P.K. have
caused Cubs fans to continue mourning the loss of William Wrigley to this day.
BATTLES WITH THE BOTTLE
In the thirty years that followed Chicagos dramatic win in the 1908 World
Series, the Cubs had a number of strong seasons. While none of the teams
players during this period matched the fame of Anson, Tinker, Evers, or Chance,
plenty of men left their mark at Wrigley Field. Pitcher Grover Cleveland
Alexander baffled opposing hitters from 1918 to 1926, exhibiting such amazing
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control of the baseball that it was said he could pitch into a target the size of a tin
can. Alexanders success was all the more remarkable considering his
devastating struggles with alcoholism. His battles are chronicled in the film The
Winning Team which starred future US President Ronald Reagan as Alexander.
During Alexanders last season with the Cubs, the team brought in a
young hitter named Lewis Wilson. Wilson went by the nickname of Hack, a
rather well-suited moniker, for he liked to swing at everything. In 1930, Hack not
only swung at everything, but hit everything as well, driving in an astounding
191 runs, a major league baseball record that remains unbroken. Regrettably,
Wilson never matched the feats of his remarkable year, and his own battles with
alcoholism ended his career just four years later.
THE CURSE OF THE BILLY GOAT
While Chicago never retained a period of dominance on the baseball
diamond as they had during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the team still
had several strong clubs between 1909 and 1945. The Cubs won the National
League Pennant several times, capturing the flag in 1910, 1918, 1929, 1932, 1935,
and again in 1938. The team never was able to finish the job in the World Series,
losing all six appearances. Twice, the Cubs lost the Series primarily due to
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dominant performances by Babe Ruth. Chicago got to see the full range of Ruths
abilities, first in 1918 when Ruth, still a pitcher, hurled the Boston Red Sox past
the Cubs. The Great Bambino broke the hearts of Cubs fans again in 1932 when
he was slugging home runs for the New York Yankees. One of Ruths blasts
became legendary when it was said that Babe had pointed toward Wrigley
Fields center field stands before connecting. However, there is no evidence to
suggest that Ruth did indeed call his shot. While each loss in the World Series
was tough, none of those defeats compared with what would transpire in 1945.
The 1945 season was a huge year for Chicago. While several teams saw
their great stars head to war in
Europe, the Cubs had been relatively
unscathed by the draft. With its team
almost completely intact, the Cubs
easily won the National League and
faced the Detroit Tigers in the World
Series. Prior to Game 4 at Wrigley
Field, a local tavern owner named
William Sianis purchased a pair of William Sianis is refused entry to Wrigley Field afterpurchasing a ticket for his pet goat.
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tickets, one of which was for Sianis, and the other for his pet goat. Wrigley ushers
refused to let the goat into the stadium, saying the animal smelled bad. An
agitated Sianis allegedly pronounced that the Cubs would never win the Series
again. Detroit captured the Series in 7 games. Upon its conclusion, Sianis wrote
Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley a short message, simply asking Who smells now?
To most observers, the idea that the Chicago Cubs are cursed by a goat is
ridiculous. Players and coaches affect what happens on the field, not animals that
spend their days chewing on tin cans. However, in the years that followed, the
Cubs seemed to be afflicted with one disaster after another, many times for
inexplicable reasons. Fans looking for a reason frequently cite the Curse of the
Billy Goat as the cause of all the Cubs maladies. In any event, the next era of
Cubs baseball would feature one disappointment after another, but fortunately
for Cubs fans, the years did bring some of the most popular players to call
Wrigley Field home.
1946-1983
THE DARK AGES
The first 30 years of the Chicago Cubs franchise were filled with wins and
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multiple championships. The next 30 years featured no championships, but
several strong, contending teams. But the 30 years that followed Chicagos 1945
World Series appearance marked the darkest era in the teams history. The Cubs
didnt just fail to win the World Series. They failed to win the National League
pennant, and in most cases, failed to be competitive on the field. From 1947 to
1966, the team finished with a winning season only once.
The Cubs demise from a contender to a pretender was due to a number of
factors. A key mistake early on was the teams failure to sign a number of
talented black ballplayers once baseball became integrated. Jackie Robinson
broke the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, and Larry Doby
followed shortly thereafter in Cleveland. Other teams followed suit, but the Cubs
neglected to offer any contracts to blacks until 1950, and didnt bring any to the
majors until 1953. By that time, stars including Robinson, Willie Mays, Satchel
Paige, and other former Negro League greats were well on their way to turning
the fortunes of their various teams.
The Cubs also had a knack for making the wrong move at the wrong time.
The team made several trades through the years, sending young talented
prospects in return for players who had once been strong, but were in the
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twilight of their careers. The most galling trade for Cubs fans occurred in 1964.
Chicago sent a promising 24-year old speedster named Lou Brock to the St. Louis
Cardinals for pitcher Ernie Broglio. Brock played 15 years in St. Louis, garnered
over 3000 hits and stole over 900 bases. Broglio pitched 3 seasons for the Cubs,
winning a grand total of 7 games. Poorly conceived decisions like the Brock trade
crippled the Cubs time and time again.
Clearly, the biggest contributor to Chicagos downfall was incompetent
ownership. Like his father, P.K. Wrigley didnt know a great deal about baseball.
William Wrigley made up for his
lack of expertise with his love for
the team and desire to make them
a winner. P.K. Wrigley did not
inherit those qualities. When it
came to maintaining Wrigley
Field, P.K. was willing to spare no
expense in order to ensure it remained one of baseballs finest landmarks.
However, spending money on players and coaches who knew how to build
winning teams was never high on P.K. Wrigleys list of priorities. While the
Wrigley Fields Famous Marquee at the corner of
Clark and Addison Streets.
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stadium looked great, the product on the field continued to suffer, and Wrigley
didnt seem interested in doing anything about it.
SUMMER OF 69
In an era of doom and gloom, there was one bright spot for the Cubs and
their fans. The summer of 1969 was a memorable period for all Americans, with
men setting foot on the moon and the general craziness taking place at
Woodstock. In Chicago, all these historic events were secondary to the Cubs. The
city was afflicted with Cub fever as the team appeared to be well on their way to
winning the pennant for the first time in over two decades.
Much like the 1908 run, the Cubs
were led by a trio of stars. Ernie Banks
had been the best player on the Cubs
since the early 1950s. Even though he
was in his late 30s, the time a ballplayer
usually loses his skills, Banks was still an
effective hitter who hit the ball out of the
park with regularity. An enormously popular player with a constant smile on his
face, the eternally optimistic Banks was known affectionately as Mr. Cub.
Ernie Banks hit 512 home runs and won 2 MVP
awards over a 19-year career in Chicago.
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Billy Williams was an outstanding outfielder who many baseball observers
felt had the sweetest swing in baseball. Williams was one of the best all-around
hitters in the league, in addition to being an excellent outfielder. In his prime
during the 1969 season, Williams had replaced Banks as the teams best overall
hitter.
Finally, third baseman Ron Santo brought fire and passion along with
tremendous hitting ability. Santo was a perennial All-Star who was as consistent
as the sun coming up in the morning. The emotional Santo used to celebrate
every Cubs victory at Wrigley Field by leaping into the air and clicking his heels.
The fans loved it, along with everything else about a team that had a seemingly
insurmountable lead over the New York Mets in late August. Life in Chicago
seemed too good to be true.
Sadly, it was. The Cubs collapsed down the stretch in September while the
Mets exploded. Over the seasons final six weeks, the Cubs lost 17 games in the
standings to the Mets, turning what was a 9 game lead into an 8 game deficit. For
superstitious Cubs fans, the reason for the collapse can be pinned on a black cat
that made its way onto the field during a critical game at New Yorks Shea
Stadium. The cat walked right up to Santo in the on-deck circle before pacing in
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front of the teams dugout.
Much like the Billy Goat in
1945, fans now had a new
member of the animal
kingdom to blame the Cubs
woes on in 1969.
The 1970s and early 1980s were much like the previous two decades. The
Cubs continued to lounge near the bottom of the standings while attendance
waned and interest declined. The team appeared to be in full disarray.
Fortunately, the mid to late 1980s would bring new life, new players, and an
explosion of interest in the Chicago Cubs that remains to this day.
1984-2010
HOLY COW!
With the dawn of the 1980s, interest in the Chicago Cubs had reached a
low point. Stars like Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Ron Santo were long gone,
and nobody had stepped up to replace the void left by their retirements. In 1982,
the Cubs finally secured a big star. Only this time, the star actually sat in the
broadcast booth, not in the dugout.
The infamous black cat sneaks past Cubs legend Ron Santo.
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Famed announcer Harry Caray had spent nearly 40 years calling games in
St. Louis, Oakland, and the Chicago White Sox. Known for his colorful
personality, oversized glasses, and unabashed joy for the game, Caray was
beloved by fans. During every home game, Harry would lead the Wrigley Field
crowd in a rendition of Take Me Out To The Ball Game, which quickly became
the most popular tradition in Chicago. For the Cubs, the timing could not have
been better. The WGN network,
a longtime carrier of Cubs
games in the Chicago television
market, had recently shifted to a
Superstation format, meaning
the stations signal could be
picked up nationwide. Suddenly,
fans across America could tune in
to Cubs games, and
with the excitable Caray calling the games,
the team became enormously popular.
Hall of Fame broadcaster and Chicago legend Harry Caray leads
the crowd in Take Me Out To The Ball Game.
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1984: OH SO CLOSE
Chicago had won their fans back, but winning games was a different story
in 1982 and 1983. But in 1984, Chicago vaulted into contention in the National
League. After decades of missteps, the Cubs finally developed the right mixture
of young talent and solid veteran leadership. Led by a budding superstar second
baseman in Ryne Sandberg, who would win the
National League Most Valuable Player Award, the
Cubs grabbed first place and, unlike in 1969, they
stayed there. Chicago made the playoffs for the first
time in 39 years, and fans around the country were
ecstatic. The Cubs easily captured the first two
games of the National League Championship Series
against the San Diego Padres, and merely needed
one more win to book a trip to the World Series.
Then, disaster struck. San Diego won Games 3 and 4 to even the series. The
Cubs took an early lead in the 5 th and deciding game, but failed to hold it. The
Padres rallied to win the game and the pennant. Some fans were quick to blame
the Billy Goat, while others blamed the players for making mistakes in the field.
A perennial All-Star 2n
baseman, Ryne
Sandberg played 15 seasons in Chicago.
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Whatever the reason, the Cubs had given their fans a season for the ages and
gained a following greater than any other time in the franchises history, but the
World Series drought continued.
THE BARTMAN GAME
The Cubs never lost the popularity explosion they gained during the 1984
season. What the team did lose was a lot of games over the twenty seasons that
followed. Certainly, the Cubs were not as bad as they were during the dark ages
following World War II, but other than brief playoff runs in 1989, and again
during Sammy Sosas famed home run chase in 1998, the Cubs rarely contended.
Enter 2003. Chicago trailed the Houston Astros in the standings for much
of the season. Only this time, the Cubs actually surged at the end of the year to
win the division. Then, behind star pitchers Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, the
team defeated the Atlanta Braves in their first round playoff series, the first
playoff series win of any kind for the Cubs since the famed season of 1908. The
Cubs looked to end their 58-year run of not making the World Series against the
Florida Marlins, a franchise that was only in its 10th year of existence. Chicago
won 3 of the first 5 games. The series shifted to Wrigley Field on October 14th
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with the Cubs again needing just one win for a trip to the World Series. The Cubs
took a 3-0 lead into the 8th inning. The game looked like a sure thing.
Naturally, a Cubs victory is never a sure thing. Yet another disaster struck
when Marlins hitter Luis Castillo lofted a pop up down the left field line towards
the stands. Cubs outfielder Moises Alou sprinted over, stretched out his glove,
only to have a Cubs fan knock it away. A livid Alou yelled in frustration and the
Cubs fans went berserk. After
the play, with thoughts of all the
past failures and jinxes running
through their heads, the Cubs
completely collapsed. Florida
scored 8 runs in the inning, won
Game 6, and clinched the series
with a win in Game 7 the following night.
The fan, a Chicago native named Steve Bartman, immediately joined the
ranks of the goat, the black cat, and all other entities blamed for the Cubs woes.
A number of angry fans made threats on Bartmans life, and Illinois Governor
Rod Blagojevich didnt help matters when he told reporters he wouldnt grant
Steve Bartman deflects a ball during Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS.
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Bartman a pardon if he needed one. Seven years after the incident, the great
majority of Cubs fans have cooled off, and many dont place the blame on
Bartman. However, Bartman has refused all interview requests and public
appearances, and remains in seclusion to this day, the latest casualty of the tragic
story that is the Chicago Cubs.
THE FUTURE
Since the Bartman fiasco, the Cubs have had some solid seasons. Under the
thumb of new manager Lou Piniella, Chicago won the division in both 2007 and
2008, but the team was swept out of the playoffs first round both times. The loss
in 2008 was particularly frustrating, as the Cubs had been the best team in the
National League throughout the regular season. Many fans believed that the
100th anniversary of Chicagos last World Series triumph would be a lucky year.
Like so many others, it ended in sheer disappointment. The 2009 and 2010
seasons also ended badly, with the team failing to contend for the playoffs.
The future is not entirely bleak, however. The Cubs were recently
purchased by the Ricketts family in 2009. Tom Ricketts, who describes himself as
a die-hard Cubs fan, is arguably the first owner of the Cubs who actually cheers
for the team since William Wrigley died in 1932. If the new ownership is willing
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to truly invest in building a winner, then the next few seasons might be quite
exciting in the Windy City. Will the Chicago Cubs finally break their 102-year
World Series jinx? Its impossible to say, but for Cubs fans around the country,
hope springs eternal.
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SUBJECT HEADINGS
Chicago Cubs (baseball team)
Chicago Cubs- Baseball Team- History
Wrigley Field (Chicago, Ill)Baseball- Periodicals
Baseball- History- United States- 20th
Century
Baseball Players
Baseball Players- United States- Biography
Baseball Players- United States- Statistics
Baseball Stories
Searches for the Chicago Cubs (baseball team) brought me a few results, as did
the subject headings of Baseball Players- United States- Biography. Regrettably
the search for Subject Headings did not bring as many results in as my random
searches through WorldCat and other databases did. All in all I didnt get a great
deal of sources through the subject headings search, but it did help turn up a few
books that I otherwise had not been able to locate.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CLASSIFICATIONS
GV862- Baseball
GV862.3- Baseball- Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
GV862.5- Baseball- History
GV865.A2-Z- Biography Individual A-Z
GV867- Baseball- General Works
GV875.A3- National League of Professional Baseball Clubs
GV875.A4Z- Individual Clubs and Other Leagues
GV878.4- World Series
In order to find sources on this topic, a good start would be to take a look at the
GV listings according to the Library of Congress Classification System. The baseball
section starts at GV862. Some of the biographies were found under the GV865
section, and a few sources on the Chicago Cubs were listed under the Individual
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Clubs and Other Leagues heading. A few of these classifications will contain
general material that doesnt pertain to the Cubs, but are still worth perusing for
information on the game of baseball in general.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
THE HOLY GRAIL OF SOURCES
Golenbock, Peter. Wrigleyville: A Magical History Tour of the Chicago Cubs. New
York: St Martins Press, 1996.
If somebody wants to hear the real, unabridged story of the Chicago Cubs, then
without question the best possible source is Wrigleyville. This book covers theentire history of the franchise from its foundation in the 1870s all the way to the
mid 1990s. Golenbock interviews dozens of players, coaches, fans, and writers,
getting as much first hand material as he possibly can. These men tell the story.
Every major topic in Cubs history is chronicled, from the 1908 World Series to
Babe Ruths called shot to the College of Coaches disaster to the revitalization of
the team in the early 1980s. Another additional benefit is the incredible list of
sources Golenbock referenced in order to write this book, which turned out to be
enormously helpful with research. Anybody who really wants to learn about the
Chicago Cubs cannot say they have gotten the whole story until they read
Wrigleyville.
1876-1908
Appel, Marty. Slide, Kelly, Slide: The Wild Life and Times of Mike King Kelly,
Baseballs First Superstar. Lanham, MD and London: The Scarecrow Press, Inc,
1999.
There are a number of biographies of early Chicago Cubs players, including Albert
Spalding and Adrian Cap Anson, but the story of King Kelly is of particular
interest. The Cubs ballplayer was the Mickey Mantle of his day, living life on the
edge, usually with a bottle or two at his side, It turns out Kellys behavior was not
terribly uncommon for players during this period, yet he took it to another level.
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However, Kellys story is a forgotten tale of Cubs loreI expect even die-hard fans
know next to nothing about the man who was arguably the first big star of the
game in America. When the hard-living Kelly died at the youthful age of 36 in
Boston, his funeral drew over 7,000 fans. If Cubs fans want to get an idea of the
type of men who played the game prior to the 20thcentury, the story of King
Kelly is a great place to start.
Aulick, W.W. Blunder Costs Giants Victory.New York Times, September 24,
1908, Main Edition. Available online athttp://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-
free/pdf?res=9403E5D7133EE233A25757C2A96F9C946997D6CF (accessed
November 16, 2010).
This article is the account of what transpired during the Fred Merkle game in
September of 1908. The New York Times story is truly fascinating to read, and
while their account may not be entirely accurate, as many of the details of the
play did not come out until the days to come, it nonetheless provides a good
description of reactions to the play. The newspaper is particularly harsh on
Merkle, calling his action censurable stupidity. As this game is still considered
the most controversial in baseballs history, its a nice source to refer to in order
to get some first-hand accounts.
Bogen, Gil. Tinker, Evers, and Chance: A Triple Biography. Jefferson, NC:
McFarland & Company Publishers, 2003.
These are the saddest of possible words, Tinker to Evers to Chance. This famous
opening line to Franklin Adams poem accurately described the feelings shared by
NY Giants fans at the turn of the 20th
century, but the mention of those three
names certainly thrilled Chicago Cubs fans. This book serves as a triple biography,
following the personal and professional lives of the famous Chicago double play
trio. In all likelihood, this is the most thorough look at how these men were ableto effectively play together despite frequent clashes on and off the field, before
eventually becoming very close friends later in life. As a side story, author Gil
Bogen also makes the case that the three are rightfully placed in Cooperstown,
despite many detractors who feel their careers were overrated.
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9403E5D7133EE233A25757C2A96F9C946997D6CFhttp://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9403E5D7133EE233A25757C2A96F9C946997D6CFhttp://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9403E5D7133EE233A25757C2A96F9C946997D6CFhttp://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9403E5D7133EE233A25757C2A96F9C946997D6CFhttp://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9403E5D7133EE233A25757C2A96F9C946997D6CFhttp://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9403E5D7133EE233A25757C2A96F9C946997D6CF -
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Matthews, George R. When The Cubs Won It All: The 1908 Championship
Season. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company Publishers, 2009.
Even casual Cubs fans can tell you that the year 1908 marks the last time the Cubs
won the World Series. However, very few could tell you any details from thatseason, which makes this source a priority for novice and die-hard Cubs fans alike.
Beginning with the teams arrival to Spring Training on March 4th
and stretching
through Chicagos series-clinching win on October 14th
, this book features game-
by-game recaps of the entire 1908 season, with tremendous details of player
exploits both on and off the field. This isnt merely a statistical book, but an
interesting account of the highs and lows of what many experts call the most
exciting season in the history of baseball.
Rosenberg, Howard W. Cap Anson: Bigger Than Babe Ruth: Captain Anson of
Chicago.Tile Books, 2006.
The story of Adrian Cap Anson, who was possibly the best pre-20th
century
baseball player, is a fascinating look at the early days of the game. Anson was a
great hitter and enormously popular, as the title of the book suggests. However,
by most accounts, he was a noted racist who many argue did more to keep
baseball segregated through the mid 1940s than anybody else. This book goes
easier on Anson than others, frequently making excuses that Ansons feelings
were not far from the mainstream line of thought during that period. However, it
also reveals that in addition to being anti-black, Anson was also anti-Irish, which I
hadnt seen in other sources regarding the Cubs captain. While most will rightfully
be turned off by Ansons beliefs, this remains a valuable source, showing what
baseball was like during this period and bringing light to a man who, for better or
for worse, is basically forgotten in modern times.
Weisberger, Bernard A. When Chicago Ruled Baseball: The Cubs-White Sox World
Series of 1906.New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2006.
Weisburger chronicles a dream season in Chicago, when the Windy City was the
center of the baseball universe with both teams in the World Series. The opening
chapter does a wonderful job of not only setting the scene for the Series, but the
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scene for Chicago as a whole. In a way, 1906 was kind of a coming out party for
Chicago. It marked the 35th
anniversary since an enormous fire nearly destroyed
the city, and the World Series was a chance to display how Chicago was thriving.
The citys melting pot of immigrants (particularly Polish, but also Jewish and
Bohemians) went baseball-crazy, and as the series progressed, the hype reached
astounding heights. With riots in the streets, people climbing up telegraph poles
to watch the games, and hundreds gathered around downtown theatre marquees
to watch re-creations, this look at the 1906 season describes how Chicago really
began its love affair with baseball that has lasted for over a century.
Wilbert, Warren N. A Cunning Kind of Play: The Cubs-Giants Rivalry, 1876-1932.
Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company Publishers, 2002.
A historical look at baseballs first great rivalry. Well before the days of Yankees-
Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs and New York Giants carried on an intense and
competitive battle for more than 50 years. This book lists year-by-year results of
games played between the two clubs, while featuring accounts that describe the
extent to which Chicago and New York ballplayers hated each other. These games
frequently featured pitchers drilling hitters in the head and fights breaking out
before, during, and after the action on the field. While other sources cite the
memorable 1908 race between the teams, few delve into exactly how passionatethe battles were not only in 08, but throughout the beginning of the 20
thcentury,
and would greatly intrigue Cubs fans who may not realize that the team actually
had a rival before the St Louis Cardinals.
--------------------------------
1908-1945
Drebinger, John. Yankees Beat Cubs For 3rd
In Row, 7-5, As 51,000 Look On. New
York Times: October 2, 1932. Available online at http://www.proquest.com/(accessed November 23, 2010).
This is the newspaper recap from the day following Game 3 of the 1932 World
Series. This game, won by the Yankees over the Cubs, has gone down in history as
the day that Babe Ruth allegedly called his shot by pointing to the center field
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bleachers immediately before hitting a home run. However, no mention is made
of the gesture in this recap, in fact, the story did not get picked up until many
months had passed. A good source that helps point out that the Cubs really did
not suffer the indignity of having the Bambino embarrass them, outside of hitting
the home run of course.
Feldmann, Doug. September Streak: The 1935 Chicago Cubs Chase The Pennant.
Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company Publishers, 2003.
While its fairly common knowledge that the Chicago Cubs havent won a World
Series since 1908 and havent been to one since 1945, many forget that the team
did make several trips to the Fall Classic during that 37-year period. This book
chronicles one such team, the 1935 Cubs that won the National League beforefalling to the Detroit Tigers. Feldmann focuses more on the hard statistics of the
club rather than the individual personalities, though there are some anecdotes
about the characters on the team. This book was reviewed by Nine: A Journal of
Baseball History and Culture, which highly praised the book, saying it was
recommended for anyone interested in the history of the Chicago Cubs or in
baseball in the 1930s.
Skipper, John C. The Cubs Win The Pennant: Charlie Grimm, The Billy Goat Curse,and the 1945 World Series Run. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company Publishers,
2004.
The year 1945 was a good one in the Windy City. World War II was coming to a
close, the unemployment rate was virtually nonexistent, life expectancy was up,
and the beloved Chicago Cubs won the NL pennant. A few old-time Cubs fans
would argue that life hasnt been as good since, as that 1945 season marked the
last time the Cubs would win the pennant and play in the World Series. That
amazing season is chronicled in this book, a year that appeared destined to
conclude with a giant celebration in Chicago. It was not to be, and that
celebration is still on hiatus. Much of the focus regarding 1945 is on the curse of
the billy goat. While the curse is mentioned in this book, it is secondary to the
descriptions of the individual players. Anyone interested in the play on the field,
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and not the hexes or curses off it will find a great deal of beneficial information in
Skippers work.
Skipper, John C. Wicked Curve: The Life and Troubled Times of Grover Cleveland
Alexander. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company Publishers, 2006.
This book contains an in-depth look at the life of baseball pitcher Grover
Cleveland Alexander. Alexander was one of baseballs greatest hurlers, a feat that
was all the more remarkable considering his severe struggles with epilepsy and
alcoholism. Skippers book follows Grovers career starting in Philadelphia, then
on to Chicago for a number of successful seasons with the Cubs. Its a well-
researched look at a man who exhibited such wonderful control on the field, but
so little control off it. This book was reviewed by Nine: A Journal of Baseball
History and Culture, which admits the book has some minor flaws, but still
deserves its place on the bookshelves of the serious lover of baseball history.
-------------------------
1945-1984
Bogen, Gil. The Billy Goat Curse: Losing and Superstition in Cubs Baseball Since
World War II. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company Publishers, 2009.
If a baseball team doesnt win for over a century, it cant just be bad luck. There
must be a hex or curse somewhere, and for many Cubs fans, the famed Billy Goat
curse is the reason their beloved team has been unable to capture a
championship for so long. This book explains the source of the Billy Goat
nuisance, stemming all the way back to 1945, while wondering if a seemingly
useless statement by William Sianis is the true cause of failure after failure on the
baseball diamond. Several Cubs players, fans, and writers are interviewed in the
book, most of who dispute the notion of a curse, yet are at a loss to explain thestrange ways the Cubs have lost important games over the years. One cannot
truly understand the mindset of Cubs fans if they dont become familiar with the
Curse of the Billy Goat.
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Feldmann, Doug. Miracle Collapse: The 1969 Chicago Cubs. University of
Nebraska Press, Lincoln & London, 2006.
The summer of 69 brought a man on the moon, a large contingent of hippies to
Woodstock, and for Cubs fansa chance to finally win the World Series. That is,until Chicagos monumental collapse gave the NL Pennant to the New York Mets.
That 1969 season is chronicled in this book, a thorough look at how the Cubs
captivated the Windy City with dreams of championship glory, only to have them
dashed by unlucky bounces, black cats, and the Miracle Mets. The team would
not win a division for another 15 seasons. Anyone seeking to learn about Cubs
history will want to take a look at Feldmanns book, as longtime fans frequently
point to the 1969 team as their favorite Chicago baseball team of all time. The
team didnt win any pennants or titles, but unquestionably did capture the heartsof Chicago fans everywhere.
Hazucha, Andrew. Leo Durochers Last Stand: Anti-Semitism, Racism, and the
Cubs Player Rebellion of 1971. NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture
15.1 (2006) 1-12.
http://libproxy.uncg.edu:2147/journals/nine/v015/15.1hazucha.html(accessed
November 12, 2010).
An interesting look at what was going on behind the scenes in the Cubs clubhouse
during the 1971 season. Famed manager Leo Durocher was known for being a
difficult man to get along with, and sometimes abusive. This article indicates that
Durocher could be highly offensive, using verbal and racial insults towards some
of his Jewish players, along with other ethnicities. According to other sources, the
Cubs manager did mellow in his later years and apologize for a great deal of his
behavior, but it certainly did represent a black eye during the history of the
franchise.
Williams, Billy. Billy Williams: My Sweet-Swinging Lifetime With The Cubs.
Triumph Books, Chicago: 2008.
http://libproxy.uncg.edu:2147/journals/nine/v015/15.1hazucha.htmlhttp://libproxy.uncg.edu:2147/journals/nine/v015/15.1hazucha.htmlhttp://libproxy.uncg.edu:2147/journals/nine/v015/15.1hazucha.html -
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Sweet-Swinging Billy Williams writes his
autobiography, a fascinating look back at
the career of one of Chicagos best
ballplayers. Williams struggled to persevere
early on in the segregated South, nearly
quitting the game completely due to abuse
he received in the minor leagues. However,
the Cubs outfielder turned out to be one of
just six men who have had their numbers
retired by the organization. The period from
1945-1984 is a timeline that was dominated
by the achievements of individual players more than achievements of the team,
which continually failed to make the playoffs. What better way to learn about
these players than from the sources themselves? Williams obviously focuses
primarily on himself, but takes about 60 pages to bring attention to the many
teammates he played with throughout his career in Chicago, and what made each
of these Cubs players unique, both on and off the field. The autobiography is an
excellent source for anyone wanting to learn about Cubs players during the
1960s through the early 1970s.
1984-PRESENT
Guerrero, Lucio. Gov Calls Interference Stupid Chicago Sun-Times, October 16,
2003. News Special Edition. Accessed Online at
http://libproxy.uncg.edu:2086/lnacui2api/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkIn
d=true&risb=21_T10718707330&format=GNBFI&sort=BOOLEAN&startDocNo=27
6&resultsUrlKey=29_T10718707333&cisb=22_T10718707332&treeMax=true&tre
eWidth=0&csi=11064&docNo=295(accessed November 13, 2010).
This is a very small article but does explain the outrage immediately after Cubs
fan Steve Bartman interfered with a ball in the stands during Game 6 of the 2003
National League Championship Series. Even the Governor of Illinois, Rod
Blagojevich, was unwilling to come to Bartmans defense, saying he wouldnt give
the man a pardon if he needed one. Blagojevichs sentiments were regrettably
Cubs Hall of Famer, Sweet-Swinging Billy Williams
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shared by a number of Cubs fans, which has caused Bartman to go into hiding to
this day.
Kaduk, Kevin. Wrigleyworld: A Season in Baseballs Best Neighborhood.New
York: New American Library, 2006.
A truly unique source from the perspective of a young Cubs fan who quits his job
at a Kansas City newspaper in order to live it up on Chicagos North Side while
watching as many Cubs games at Wrigley Field as he possibly can. Kaduk provides
an insiders view of the 2005 baseball season, a year that started with promise
like so many others, before ending in frustrating fashion once again. This is not for
anyone interested in hard statistical information or for any sort of concentrated
historical focus. It is however an excellent portrait of modern Chicago Cubs fans
and provides an outstanding look into why they put themselves through this
torturous process of rooting for such a team.
Stone, Steve. Wheres Harry?: Steve Stone Remembers His Years With Harry
Caray. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company, 1999.
One of the biggest reasons that the Chicago Cubs gained such an enormous
national following was undoubtedly the presence of Hall of Fame announcer
Harry Caray. Longtime broadcast partner Steve Stone remembers the larger-than-life announcer, whose enthusiasm and passion for the game made his a legendary
character to Cubs fans and the rest of the world. Nowadays, most only know
Caray through comedian Will Ferrells portrayal on Saturday Night Live, but that
only provides a small glimpse into the mans life and character. Stones book fills
in the gaps and much more, revealing a man who lived every day to the absolute
fullest and never lost his belief that one day the Cubs would finally win the big
one. Any baseball fan, whether loyal to the Cubs or not, would find this book to
be not only educational, but incredibly entertaining as well.
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Sullivan, Floyd. Waiting for the Cubs: The 2008 Season, The Hundred-Year Slump,
and One Fans Lifelong Vigil. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company Publishers,
2010.
One of the most recent sources about the Cubs,this story chronicles the 2008 season, a year that
marked the 100th
anniversary of the Cubs last
championship, and a year that looked so incredibly
promising for another title. Longtime supporters of
the team will certainly connect with the author, as
Sullivan carries the mindset that so many Cubs
fans share when it comes to the teamwhatever
can go wrong will go wrong. While the story
primarily talks follows the trials of the 2008 Cubs,
Sullivan shares memories of his interactions with
the team through the past half-century, with a few high moments and
regrettably, considerably more low ones. Yet like so many Cubs fans around the
nation, he goes on year after year supporting the star-crossed franchise, a choice
that may have non-Cubs fans questioning his sanity.
Wojciechowski, Gene. Cubs Nation: 162 Games, 162 Stories, 1 Addiction. NewYork: Doubleday, 2005.
For the 2004 baseball season, sportswriter Gene Wojciechowski followed the
Chicago Cubs on their journey through the National League. Along the way, he
interviews numerous Cubs players, coaches, announcers, behind the scenes
employees; including the teams organ player, in order to gain insight into what
makes the Cubs so special among major league teams. In addition to big baseball
fans who will naturally enjoy this book, casual fans will probably enjoy hearing
stories from an A-list of celebrity Cubs fans, including actor Bill Murray, musicians
Billy Corgan and Eddie Vedder, writer/activist Studs Terkel, author George Will,
and pre-scandal Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Every day is an adventure
when the Cubs are involved, and readers will see why after reading
Wojciechowskis book.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella voices his
displeasure with an umpire.
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ADDITIONAL READING
McCullough, Bob. My Greatest Day in Baseball: 1946-1997. Dallas: Taylor
Publishing Company, 1998.
What is particularly unique about this source is that the stories come from the
players and coaches in their own words. McCullough conducted a series of
interviews with some of the greatest baseball names the game has ever known,
asking each individually to describe their favorite experience. There are a wide
range of players featured from all the major league franchises, but the Cubs are
particularly well represented, with anecdotes from Randy Hundley, Ernie Banks,
Ryne Sandberg, Ferguson Jenkins, Billy Williams, and Greg Maddux. The stories
provide personal perspective of some of the greatest moments in Chicagos
franchise history.
Rielly, Edward J. Baseball: An Encyclopedia of Popular Culture. Santa Barbara,
CA: ABC-CLIO, 2000.
This encyclopedia is a source full of general information about famous baseball
players, coaches, stadiums, terminology and much more. Most of the items are no
more than a page or two in length, but would certainly be of benefit to the casualbaseball fan. In terms of the Cubs connection, there are several entries involving
the North Siders. This includes capsules of star players Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers,
and Frank Chance, Mordecai Three-Finger Brown, and Ernie Banks, along with
records on Wrigley Field and famed announcer Harry Caray. An additional benefit
of the encyclopedia is the listing of further sources on each entry that can lead
the reader to find supplementary works on the subjects.
NOTES ON MCFARLAND PUBLISHING
The McFarland Publishing Company is a leading publisher of reference, scholarly
and academic books in a number of categories. Located in Jefferson, NC,
McFarland publishes around 350 works per year. Some of the most popular topics
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covered by McFarland include: Military History, Performing Arts, Humanities, Pop
Culture, and Librarianship. However, at the top of their websites list is Sport and
Leisure, and baseball books appear to be one of their top focal points within this
category. McFarland clearly shows some preference for the Chicago Cubs. In fact,
Sullivans work Waiting for the Cubs is listed as one of the featured books on
the companys homepage. Nearly half of the books in this bibliography were from
McFarland, particularly the ones focusing on the early 20th
century.
AN AFTERNOON AT WRIGLEY