Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Just One Bad Century--April 15

The Cubs didn't lose yesterday. Congratulations to the boys. OK, so it was an off-day and they didn't play at all, but remember, I'm half-fulling it this year.

They play the Yankees tonight in Yankee Stadium, and the New York Times has a very snarky Cubs Quiz in the paper today in honor of that. There are 22 questions, and I got 19 right. I'll give you hints to help you on the ones I got wrong...Ernie was a Republican? What's a Donneybrook? And think gambling.

We posted a new This Week in 1908 yesterday. It's Opening Day for the Cubs, and the season starts with a player going into the stands for a fist fight. Also, don't be alarmed by the picture of the German guy with the tiny mustache. It's 1908. He's still just a failed painter. (Spoiler alert for those who hate him...which I'm hoping is everyone reading this. You're really going to love This Week in 1945 in a few weeks).

Today's Cubs birthdays include two players who died very young (around 30), two troublemakers, and two catchers. The A/V Club has video of one of those catchers on the game show "What's My Line".

Today in Wrigley Field history goes back to 1947. One of the biggest stars in the world was in the stands for the game that day...to watch the Pirates. 1961 is also featured. Here's a bit of trivia: the Cubs have never played at Wrigley Field on April 15th during a season they won the pennant (1918, 1929, 1935, 1938, 1945). Must be a tax thing.

Today's historical event is the sinking of the Titantic. Where were the Cubs?

In the latest Cubs news: The Blue Jays are still thinking about trading for Samardizja. Fujikawa may have suffered a setback in his rehab. And here are a few players the Cubs may be looking to draft this year.