Lis 620 Cubs Paper Final

7/31/2019 Lis 620 Cubs Paper Final

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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

Documents

Lis 620 Cubs Paper Final