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• This Day in Braves History: Tim Hudson throws a one-hitter

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Ol’ Huddy locks down the Brewers in a vintage performance. Braves Franchise History 1963: Milwaukee Braves pitcher Bob Shaw sets a major league record by committing five balks in a game. Shaw walked Billy Williams in the third inning and then balked three straight times allowing Williams to score. Shaw was ejected in the fifth inning and the Cubs beat th...2025
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• The Cubs are on pace for some home run marks they haven’t seen in years

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images After a bit of a lull, the Cubs are a power-hitting team again. You don’t have to go back too far to find the Cubs’ franchise record for team home runs in a season. It’s 256, set six years ago in 2019. That year, the Cubs had six players with 20 or more home runs and Kyle Schwarber hit 38. Schwarber and Kris Bryant (39 in 2016) are the only C...2025
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• This Day in Braves History: Tim Hudson earns his 200th career win

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Braves Franchise History 1961 - Willie Mays becomes the ninth player in major league history to hit four home runs in a game to help the Giants to a 14-4 win over the Milwaukee Braves. 1970 - Billy Williams becomes the first player in National League history to play in 1,000 consecutive games in a 9-2 loss by the Cubs to the Atlanta Braves at Fulton Coun...2025
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• Baseball history unpacked, April 30

Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Billy Williams* makes it 1,000 in a row, Andy Pafko needs time, and other stories for the discerning reader. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past, with plenty of the lore and various...2025
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• Baseball history unpacked, April 23

Photo by David Banks/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Fergie, The Vulture, Jim Hickman, the Reinheitsgebot, and more, plus happy birthdays to Emilio Bonifacio* and others. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past, with...2025
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• Billy Williams

Billy Williams, affectionately known as “Sweet Swingin’ Billy” for his effortless and picturesque left-handed swing, is one of the most iconic players in Major League Baseball history. His career, which spanned nearly two decades from 1959 to 1976, was defined by remarkable consistency, longevity, and a deep-seated commitment to excellence. Williams played the majority of […]...2025

• Baseball history unpacked, April 30
2025

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• Baseball history unpacked, April 23
2025

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• Baseball history unpacked, April 16

WGN-TV truck outside Wrigley Field in 1948 | Courtesy WGN-TV A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. The worst start in National League history, the first MLB WGN telecast, and other tales of interest to the discerning reader. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric...2025
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• Cubs 4, Dodgers 2: Pete Crow-Armstrong shows off in front of the home folks

Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images PCA hit two homers and a triple with his parents in attendance at Dodger Stadium. I told you the Cubs could win this series! The Cubs went into Dodger Stadium and with solid pitching and hitting took two of three from the defending World Series champions, winning Sunday. They got a strong outing from an unexpected source (Colin Rea) and a great offen...2025
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• Today in Cubs history: An Opening Day for the ages

Ernie Banks | Getty Images The Cubs and Cardinals fought for more than four hours... and in the end, neither team won. Monday, April 12, 1965 was the season opener for the Cubs and Cardinals at Wrigley Field. When it began, both teams’ records were, of course, 0-0. And when it ended, those records were... the same. Let me explain. Larry Jackson had an outstanding 1964 season — 24-11, 3.14 ...2025
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• Baseball history unpacked, April 9

Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Happy birthday to David Robertson and others, plus sad passings and more stories for the discerning reader. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past, with plenty of the lo...2025
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• BCB roundtable: 2025 Cubs season preview

Getty Images A discussion of the season to come from the BCB staff. BCB’s front-page writers have done several of these roundtable discussions previewing Cubs seasons and postseasons, so here we are again to kick off the 2025 season. Josh, Sara, Thomas, Duane and I had a lively online conversation Wednesday afternoon. The online chat has been lightly edited for clarity. Ashley was unable ...2025
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• Here are the attendees for the 2025 Cubs Convention

Craig Counsell greets Cubs players at the 2024 Cubs Convention | Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Most of the 40-man roster plus some alumni favorites will be in attendance. The Cubs Convention begins this Friday at the downtown Sheraton Grand Hotel. Passes are still available and you can get yours here. Here are all the current, past and future Cubs who wi...2025
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• In memoriam: Remembering the Cubs we lost in 2024

Ken Holtzman | Bettman Archive Rest in peace. At year’s end, it’s a good time to reflect and remember those who passed away throughout the year. In the baseball world in general: Hall of Famers Orlando Cepeda, Rickey Henderson, Whitey Herzog and Willie Mays and notables Bud Harrelson, Pete Rose, Luis Tiant and Fernando Valenzuela. There were also 12 members of the Cubs family who passed aw...2024
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• A look at Cubs trades in the pre-expansion era: 1932

Mark Koenig at Wrigley Field in 1933 | Photo by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images It was a Cubs pennant year, with a couple of key acquisitions. The Cubs returned to the World Series in 1932, winning the NL pennant by four games. In second place for much of the season early, it took a 22-6 August — which included a 14-game winning streak and a 19-2 run — to secure the title. Unfortunate...2024
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• Sammy Sosa in Exile: There's Silence Rather Than Apology from Former Cubs Star
2015

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2025
"Billy Williams did it in 1964 and 1971."

2024
"Pre-game, the Cubs had their living Hall of Famers come to the mound for a first-pitch ceremony, and it was great to see Fergie Jenkins, Lee Smith, Andre Dawson and Billy Williams together — and Billy looked great, I thought."

2023
"The Cubs’ fastest pair of cycles were 25 days apart, in 1966: by Billy Williams on July 17, and Randy Hundley on August 11."

2022
"Other Cubs Hall of Famers who participated: Billy Williams, Andre Dawson, Ryne Sandberg and Lee Smith."

2018
"Cubs icon Billy Williams shares memories of fellow Mobile, Ala."

2017
"Hall of Famer Billy Williams was to attend a breakfast on Monday to celebrate Rev."

2016
"So this, too, is what it looks like when the Cubs charge into the World Series: Hall of Famer Billy Williams standing on the field amid the celebration, nearly swallowed by the roaring wall of sound in the minutes after the final out and practically being overcome with emotion."

2015
"The Chicago Sun-Times noted the third baseman broke the team record Billy Williams held for most home runs as a rookie with 26."

2014
"On this day in 1976, the Athletics released outfielder Billy Williams, marking the end of his Major League career."

• This Day in Braves History: Tim Hudson earns his 200th career win
2025

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• Hey, Tom Ricketts! You need to get Kyle Tucker signed now — and not just for baseball reasons

David Banks-Imagn Images There’s something else that this signing would do for the Cubs. With Kyle Tucker off to a great start with the Cubs, the chorus of voices urging Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts to open up the team wallet and sign Tucker to an extension before he hits free agency has gotten louder. While there’s no question about Tucker’s abilities on the field — he’s hitting the way he ...2025
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• Baseball history unpacked, April 9
2025

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• BCB roundtable: 2025 Cubs season preview
2025

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• Will the Cubs have a 40-homer man in 2025?

Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images It’s been quite some time. Derrek Lee hit 46 home runs for the Cubs in 2005. That’s 20 years ago! Since then, no Cub has hit 40 or more home runs. The most by any Cub in the last 20 seasons is 39, by Kris Bryant in his MVP season in 2016. Kyle Schwarber hit 38 in 2019. Nine different Cubs have accounted for 19 different 40-homer season...2025
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• This Day in Braves History: Ted Turner purchases the Atlanta Braves

Braves Franchise History 1891 - The National League votes to allow the American Association to place a team in Boston, despite strong opposition by the owners of the Boston Beaneaters. 1988 - Bob Horner returns to the major leagues by agreeing to a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. Horner played the 1987 season in Japan after collusion between the owners reduced the demand for his servi...2025
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• In memoriam: Remembering the Cubs we lost in 2024
2024

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• Cubs historical sleuthing: Fergie Jenkins, 1970s edition

Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images This one took a while. You might not think there are enough clues here, but dear reader, you know how long I’ve been at this, and I am here to tell you there are enough clues in this photo of Fergie Jenkins to at least narrow it down to xxx. First, here’s the entire photo, which I cropped above. Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images Ge...2024
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• This Day in Braves History: Braves trade Tommy Hanson to Angels

Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images Hanson’s four-year stint with the Atlanta Braves comes to a close as he gets sent to Anaheim. Braves Franchise History 1961: Braves catcher Joe Torre finishes second in the Rookie of the Year race in the National League to Cubs outfielder Billy Williams. 1970: The Atlanta Braves acquire 48-year old knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm from the Cubs in exchange...2024
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• Cubs historical sleuthing: Ryne Sandberg edition

There are a handful of useful clues here, even though we can’t see the scoreboard. Here’s what we know about this photo: Future Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg is batting The Cubs are playing the Astros The Astros catcher is wearing No. 14 The Astros pitcher is righthanded Not very many people are in the bleachers Here’s the full photo again: First things first. Alan Ashby was a ca...2024
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• Baseball history unpacked, April 23
2025

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• Today in Cubs history: An Opening Day for the ages
2025

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• Hey, Tom Ricketts! You need to get Kyle Tucker signed now — and not just for baseball reasons
2025

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• The 5 best Cubs games of 2024

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images These were all fun, well-played, or both. Now that you’ve read yesterday’s recap of the five worst Cubs games of 2024, here are five that should make you smile. Walk-offs, of course, always generate big cheers and excitement, no matter how they happen. I’ve got some of those here, but there are also other entertaining wins that deserve recogn...2024
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• A look at Cubs trades in the pre-expansion era: 1932
2024

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• Cubs historical sleuthing: Ryne Sandberg edition
2024

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• Baseball history unpacked, November 18

There goes another one over the fence from the 1987 MVP. | Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. The Hawk wins the MVP trophy and other stories. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past, with plenty o...2024
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• Baseball history unpacked, November 8

Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Neifi Perez signs! And other stories, including Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith ROY results. Dwight’s birthday, too. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past, wi...2024
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• The case for each of the Classic Baseball Hall of Fame candidates

Photo by Louis Requena/MLB via Getty Images Luis Tiant, Dick Allen and Tommy John are among eight players on this year’s Classic Era ballot. The Baseball Hall of Fame has had some form of “Veterans Committee” ballot in its induction process going all the way back to 1939. The committees have taken various forms over the years, but the most recent process breaks up potential candidates into...2024
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• A look at Cubs trades in the pre-expansion era: 1961

“The other” Frank Thomas bats for the Cubs in 1960 | Photo by Hy Peskin/Getty Images A companion series to last year’s. Last year’s offseason series here was a look at Cubs trades from 1962-2023. You can read all those articles here. So, this year I’m going to do the rest of the trades in Cubs history in the Modern Era, since 1901. Unlike last year, when I began in 1962 and ended in the pr...2024
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• Baseball history unpacked, April 30
2025

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• Cubs 4, Dodgers 2: Pete Crow-Armstrong shows off in front of the home folks
2025

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• Baseball history unpacked, April 9
2025

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• The 2025 Cubs by the numbers

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images A complete numerical list of this year’s Cubs as they get ready for this year’s Spring Training. As I do here every spring, today I present to you a full numerical roster of all the players and coaches in Cubs spring camp. Also included are the Cubs’ retired numbers, so you can see the full numerical progression. There are 60 players in camp,...2025
See more articles Matt Dirksen
• In memoriam: Remembering the Cubs we lost in 2024
2024

Click for news about Ken Holtzman
• The 5 best Cubs games of 2024
2024

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• 2025 Cubs attendance watch: A deep dive into the season ticket price increases

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images We’ve got numbers and charts explaining things. As posted here last week, the Cubs have raised season ticket prices for 2025 in many sections, including more than 6 percent in the bleachers. While 12 percent of the home season remains (10 dates of the 81 scheduled), I asked BCBer Lifetime Cubs Fan to analyze the price increases. Here’s what h...2024
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• Today in 1984 Cubs history: The Gary Matthews/Bob Dernier trade changed everything

Getty Images The Cubs struggled through a painful spring training, and then Dallas Green made a deal that defined the 1984 team. The Cubs lost 91 games in 1983, two more than they had in 1982, the first year of “Building A New Tradition” under Tribune Co. and general manager Dallas Green. In fact, they had hovered around .500 as late as June 19, when they were 30-32, but went 41-59 the res...2024
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• The 2024 Cubs by the numbers

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images A complete numerical list of this year’s Cubs as they get ready for this year’s Spring Training. As I do here every spring, I present to you a full numerical roster of all the players and coaches in Cubs spring camp. Also included are the Cubs’ retired numbers, so you can see the full numerical progression. There are 59 players in camp, the 40-man roste...2024
See more Michael Reaves
• BCB After Dark: Who goes next?

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks what other free agents will the Cubs sign this winter. Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the hippest hole-in-the-wall for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad that you braved the weather to make it here. Come on in out of the cold. We can check your coat for you. There’...2024
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• Jake Arrieta 1st Pitcher in 2015 to Reach 20 Wins: Latest Details and Reaction
2015

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• Scott Miller's Starting 9: Kershaw Can Bring 300 Strikeout Feat Back from Dead
2015

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• Cubs 5, Rockies 0: Shōta Imanaga shines in the rain

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images The Cubs got the game in and got a great pitching performance. Let me get this out of the way first. Last Friday I wrote this article saying the Cubs should postpone Opening Day — right then. The forecasts were dire. But they got the game in, though it rained pretty hard from about the seventh inning on. So, mea culpa, they played, got Opening Day in — ...2024
Continue with Michael Reaves
• Today in Cubs history: Mark Grace hits for the cycle
Getty Images It’s the last time any Cub has accomplished this feat. Hitting for the cycle is a fairly rare feat, although in recent times it’s happened maybe half a dozen times a year. Still, in all of MLB history, there have been 340 cycles, including one this year by Luis Arraez of the Marlins. That makes them slightly less rare than no-hitters, of which there have been 318. This is the...2023
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• Sammy Sosa in Exile: There's Silence Rather Than Apology from Former Cubs Star
2015

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• Bryant ties Cubs rookie record with 25th HR
Kris Bryant made history when he connected on his 25th home run of the year on Saturday. He tied Billy Williams' record -- set in 1961 -- for the most by a Cubs rookie in a single season....2015
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• Bryant ties Cubs rookie record with 25th HR
Kris Bryant made history when he connected on his 25th home run of the year on Saturday. He tied Billy Williams' record -- set in 1961 -- for the most by a Cubs rookie in a single season....2015
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• Bryant's huge homer ties Cubs' rookie marks
Kris Bryant's 23rd home run of the year, an 0-2 pitch off D-backs starter Rubby De La Rosa in the fifth inning, was projected by Statcast to travel 495 feet from home plate, the longest home run in Major League Baseball this season. It gave Bryant his 86th RBI, tying him with Billy Williams and Geovany Soto for the most by a rookie during a single season in club history....2015
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1. White Sox

2. World Series

3. Red Sox

. . .

756. Billy Williams

• Baseball history unpacked, April 30
2025

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• Baseball history unpacked, April 23
2025

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• Cubs 4, Dodgers 2: Pete Crow-Armstrong shows off in front of the home folks
2025

Visit the page Crow Armstrong
• Hey, Tom Ricketts! You need to get Kyle Tucker signed now — and not just for baseball reasons
2025

Continue with Tom Ricketts
• A look at Cubs cycles through history

MLB Photos via Getty Images Here are the 11 Cubs who cycled before Monday. Carson Kelly hit for the cycle in Monday’s game against the A’s in Sacramento. He's the first Cub to accomplish that feat in more than 31 years. One of the reasons for that is that Wrigley Field, particularly since the completion of the iconic bleacher structure in 1937, is not a good triples park. And some of the n...2025
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• BCB roundtable: 2025 Cubs season preview
2025

Continue with Sara Sanchez
• Here are the attendees for the 2025 Cubs Convention
2025

Visit the page Craig Counsell
• In memoriam: Remembering the Cubs we lost in 2024
2024

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• A look at Cubs trades in the pre-expansion era: 1932
2024

See more articles Wrigley Field
• Cubs historical sleuthing: Fergie Jenkins, 1970s edition
2024

Read about Fergie Jenkins

• Hey, Tom Ricketts! You need to get Kyle Tucker signed now — and not just for baseball reasons
2025

See more articles Tom Ricketts
• In memoriam: Remembering the Cubs we lost in 2024
2024

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• The 1970 Cubs were better than the 1969 Cubs. Why didn’t they win?

Jim Hickman scores for the Cubs against the Mets on May 23, 1970 | Photo by James Drake /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images It was another failure, in some ways more frustrating than the fabled ‘69 team. Yesterday, I posted this article about how some players who the Cubs let go for almost nothing in the late 1950s and early 1960s might have helped the 1969 team get over the hump and make...2024
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• Baseball history unpacked, October 23

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. David Ross is signed, Rick Sutcliffe lets out a Cy, and other stories. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past, with plenty of the lore and various narratives to...2024
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• Baseball history unpacked, September 2

Happy birthday, Christian Bethancourt! | Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Pappas throws a no-no and other stories. Happy birthday to Christian Bethancourt! On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseba...2024
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• BCB After Dark: Who goes next?
2024

Visit the page Sarah Stier
• Baseball history unpacked, October 23

Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Quite a glare he had, Jack Coombs. He was a Cubs nemesis for a long time, way back in the day. Plus many other events in this episode. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centr...2023
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• A perfect tribute to Lin Brehmer on what would have been his 69th birthday

Sara Sanchez Lin’s Binge was a home run all on its own Saturday at Wrigley Field The weather was perfection. The vibes were good with the Cubs unexpectedly in a Wild Card and Division race in mid-August. It was a quintessentially Chicago weekend with the Air and Water Show punctuating the normal cadence of a Cubs game with the roar of fighter jets. The Cubs’ 6-4 win over the Royals was the...2023
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• Baseball history unpacked, July 31
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources, a little bit cheesy but nicely displayed. Happy birthday to Leon Durham, Mike Bielecki, and others, plus a plethora of good stories. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s co...2023
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• Today in Cubs history: The Lindy McDaniel game
lindymcdaniel.com The Cubs reliever did it all, helping put his team in a first-place tie. 1963 was a watershed year for the Chicago Cubs. The widely-mocked College of Coaches was quietly ended. Bob Kennedy led the team for the entire year, though his title was still given as “head coach,” and the team got off to a surprisingly good start. A good 16-12 May had them in contention, led by tw...2023
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