The Phils sell star pitcher Grover Alexander and his personal catcher “Reindeer” Bill Killefer to the Cubs for righthander “Iron” Mike Prendergast, C Pickles Dillhoefer, and $55,000

The Phils sell star pitcher Grover Alexander and his personal catcher “Reindeer” Bill Killefer to the Cubs for righthander “Iron” Mike Prendergast, C Pickles Dillhoefer, and $55,000

ByThis Day in Baseball

1917 – The Phils sell star pitcher Grover Alexander, twice a 30-game winner, and his personal catcher “Reindeer” Bill Killefer to the Cubs for righthander “Iron” Mike Prendergast, C Pickles Dillhoefer, and $55,000. Phils owner William Baker later admits he made the trade because, “I needed the money.” The 5th-place Cubs expect the addition of Alexander to greatly strengthen their staff, but Alex will be drafted in the Army.

Christy-Mathewson

Christy Mathewson faces Mordecai Brown of the Cubs in the career finale for each pitcher

ByThis Day in Baseball

Reds right-hander Christy Mathewson faces Mordecai Brown of the Cubs in the career finale for each pitcher, marking the first time that two future Hall of Famers have made their final appearance in the same game. Both Cooperstown-bound hurlers go the distance in Cincinnati’s 10-8 victory at Chicago’s Weeghman Park.

Pete Alexander wins help to pull Phillies to within a game and a half of Brooklyn.

Pete Alexander wins help to pull Phillies to within a game and a half of Brooklyn.

ByThis Day in Baseball

At the Baker Bowl, Grover Cleveland Alexander is coasting with a two-hit, 6 – 0 lead in the 8th over the Cubs, when weak-hitting Steve Yerkes lines a single followed by manager Joe Tinker’s only hit of the year. On a double play grounder, 1B Fred Luderus pulls his foot off the bag and Chicago goes on to score three runs. Second-place Philadelphia wins, 6 – 3, to pull with 1 1/2 games of Brooklyn.

Reds player-manager Christy Mathewson, pitching his only game not in a Giant uniform, beats his long-time nemesis Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown and the Cubs, 10 – 8. In the 25 contests in which the two legends have faced one another, Matty, by winning the last decision, takes a 13-12 advantage in their final meeting.

Reds player-manager Christy Mathewson, pitching his only game not in a Giant uniform, beats his long-time nemesis Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown and the Cubs, 10 – 8. In the 25 contests in which the two legends have faced one another, Matty, by winning the last decision, takes a 13-12 advantage in their final meeting.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Reds player-manager Christy Mathewson, pitching his only game not in a Giant uniform, beats his long-time nemesis Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown and the Cubs, 10 – 8. In the 25 contests in which the two legends have faced one another, Matty, by winning the last decision, takes a 13-12 advantage in their final meeting.

wrigley field

Chicago Cubs play their first game in Weeghman Park

ByThis Day in Baseball

April 20 1916 – The Chicago Cubs play their first game in the newly-built Federal League Weeghman Park, which will be renamed “Wrigley Field” in 1926 in honor of William Wrigley, who gained full ownership of the team seven seasons ago. The stadium, minus the upper deck added later, seats 14,000, but 20,000 fans are on hand. Greeting fans on the…

Chicago Cubs send cash bring back defectors lead by Three Finger Brown

ByTom

In a sweet deal, the Chicago Cubs send cash to the sinking Chicago Whales of the Federal League and bring back defectors Three Finger Brown, Clem Clemens, Mickey Doolan, Bill Fischer, Max Flack, Claude Hendrix, Les Mann, Dykes Potter, Joe Tinker, Rollie Zeider and George McConnell.

The Cubs end Grover Cleveland Alexander’s 9-game win streak, 4 – 0. Chicago and Philadelphia are deadlocked for the National Leaguelead.

The Cubs end Grover Cleveland Alexander’s 9-game win streak, 4 – 0. Chicago and Philadelphia are deadlocked for the National Leaguelead.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Cubs end Grover Cleveland Alexander’s 9-game win streak, 4 – 0. Chicago and Philadelphia are deadlocked for the National Leaguelead.

Cubs right-hander reliever Zip Zabel pitches 18 innings in relief

Cubs right-hander reliever Zip Zabel pitches 18 innings in relief

ByThis Day in Baseball

Cubs right-hander reliever George Washington Zabel, called into the game with two outs in the bottom of the first inning, throws 18 and 1/3 innings of the Cubs’ 4-3 victory over the Robins at Chicago’s West Side Park. ‘Zip,’ establishing the major league record for the longest relief stint in one game, beats Brooklyn starter Jeff Pfeffer, who tosses a 19-inning complete-game.