The Day the Earth Shook for the Cubs

March 10, 1933

On this day in 1933, the Cubs were playing in Wrigley Field in Los Angeles (Wrigley West), and experienced the downside of conducting their spring training in California. During an exhibition game between the Cubs and Giants, a substantial earthquake occurred. Players from both teams huddled around second base until the tremors stopped.

The earthquake caused serious damage from Los Angeles south to Laguna Beach. Property damage was estimated at $40 million, and 115 people were killed. The earthquake was felt almost everywhere in the 10 southern counties of California. (Photo: The CSU Dominguez Hills Archives and Special Collections – South Bay Photography Collection)

Players on those two teams included Cubs Hall of Famers Gabby Hartnett, KiKi Cuyler & Billy Herman, and Giants Hall of Famers Mel Ott, Bill Terry, and Carl Hubbell.

The Giants didn’t seem too affected by the quake. They went on to win the National League and then beat the Senators in the World Series, 4 games to 1. The Cubs finished in third, six games back.