Cubs win the World Series (October 12, 1907): The 1907 Cubs won 107 games during the regular season and then defeated the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. The two teams tied 3-3 in Game One. Afterward, the Cubs took over and swept the series while surrendering three runs in the final four games. The 1907 Cubs were the best team of the “Dead Ball” Era.
Merkle’s Boner (September 23, 1908): The Cubs and Giants were battling for the pennant. On September 23, 1908, the two teams squared off tied for first. With the score tied 1-1 and one man on for the Giants in the bottom of the 9th, Fred Merkle singled the winning run to third. Al Bridwell hit what appeared to be a walk off single. However, Merkle did not advance to second as the crowd rushed onto the field in celebration. Cubs second baseman Johnny Evers saw Merkle’s base running error, found a baseball, and tagged second. The umpire called Merkle out and nullified the run. The game ended in a tie and the Cubs won the rematch which provided the winning margin in the pennant race. Chicago beat New York and Pittsburgh by a single game.
Repeat! (October 14, 1908): The Cubs won their second world title after beating the Giants for the pennant. Once again, they played Detroit in the World Series. Once again, they beat the Tigers in five games. To date, the Cubs have yet to win another championship.
Homer in the Gloamin’(September 28, 1938): The Cubs and Pirates were battling for first place when they met at the end of September. With the score tied 5-5 in the 9th, and darkness threatened the game, Gabby Hartnett hit a walk off home run to propel Chicago into first place. The Cubs eventually won the pennant and then ran into DiMaggio’s Yankees thus ending their dream. The term “Homer in the Gloamin’” was a play on a popular song “Roamin’ in the Gloamin’” .
Banks hits 500 (May 12, 1970): Ernie Banks became the 9th member of the 500 homer club on May 12, 1970 off Atlanta’s Pat Jarvis. The Cubs won the game 4-3 in 11 innings.
Milt Pappas almost Perfect (September 2, 1972): Armando Galaragga’s recent imperfect perfect game in 2010 brought back memories of Milt Pappas. Like Galaragga, Pappas had a perfect game through the first 26 batters when an umpire intervened. With a 2-2 count on pinch-hitter Larry Stahl, umpire Bruce Froemming called the next two pitches balls. The pitches were extremely close. Stahl walked costing Pappas his perfect game. He did pitch a no-hitter.
The Sandberg Game (June 23, 1984): Ryne Sandberg announced his candidacy for the MVP on a nationally televised game. His performance made Sandberg a household name. The Cubs trailed 9-8 in the 9th with Sandberg coming to the plate against St Louis Hall of Fame relief ace Bruce Sutter. Sandberg tied the game with a blast into the left field stand. Undaunted, the Cardinals scored two in the 10th for the lead. In the bottom half of the frame, Sandberg tied it with a two-run shot off Sutter. Chicago won in the 11th on a RBI single by Dave Owen.
Sutcliffe goes 16-1 and Cubs win NL East (1984): The Indians have a habit of trading Cy Young winners. Before Lee or Sabathia left the Tribe, Rick Sutcliffe was sent to Chicago. In the summer of 1984, “Red Beard” went 16-1 for the Cubs (20-6 overall) leading the team to its first postseason appearance since 1945. He won the 1984 Cy Young Award for his effort.
Wood K’s 20 (May 6, 1998): Kerry Wood seemed destined for greatness. He pitched one of the greatest games of all time on May 6, 1998 against Houston. The Astros lineup included Hall of Famers Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell. Wood allowed only a single hit and walked none in his 20 strikeout performance. This was total dominance.
Cubs win the first post season series since 1908 (October 5, 2003): The Cubs and Braves LDS went to a climactic fifth game. In Game 5, Kerry Wood defeated the Braves 5-1 for the franchise’s first postseason series victory in 95 years. Alex Gonzalez and Aramis Ramirez each homered in the victory. In the 95 years in between series victories, the Cubs had lost seven World Series and three playoff series. They went on to lose the 2003 NLCS and were later swept in the 2007 and 2008 NLDS.
Merkle’s Boner (September 23, 1908): The Cubs and Giants were battling for the pennant. On September 23, 1908, the two teams squared off tied for first. With the score tied 1-1 and one man on for the Giants in the bottom of the 9th, Fred Merkle singled the winning run to third. Al Bridwell hit what appeared to be a walk off single. However, Merkle did not advance to second as the crowd rushed onto the field in celebration. Cubs second baseman Johnny Evers saw Merkle’s base running error, found a baseball, and tagged second. The umpire called Merkle out and nullified the run. The game ended in a tie and the Cubs won the rematch which provided the winning margin in the pennant race. Chicago beat New York and Pittsburgh by a single game.
Repeat! (October 14, 1908): The Cubs won their second world title after beating the Giants for the pennant. Once again, they played Detroit in the World Series. Once again, they beat the Tigers in five games. To date, the Cubs have yet to win another championship.
Homer in the Gloamin’(September 28, 1938): The Cubs and Pirates were battling for first place when they met at the end of September. With the score tied 5-5 in the 9th, and darkness threatened the game, Gabby Hartnett hit a walk off home run to propel Chicago into first place. The Cubs eventually won the pennant and then ran into DiMaggio’s Yankees thus ending their dream. The term “Homer in the Gloamin’” was a play on a popular song “Roamin’ in the Gloamin’” .
Banks hits 500 (May 12, 1970): Ernie Banks became the 9th member of the 500 homer club on May 12, 1970 off Atlanta’s Pat Jarvis. The Cubs won the game 4-3 in 11 innings.
Milt Pappas almost Perfect (September 2, 1972): Armando Galaragga’s recent imperfect perfect game in 2010 brought back memories of Milt Pappas. Like Galaragga, Pappas had a perfect game through the first 26 batters when an umpire intervened. With a 2-2 count on pinch-hitter Larry Stahl, umpire Bruce Froemming called the next two pitches balls. The pitches were extremely close. Stahl walked costing Pappas his perfect game. He did pitch a no-hitter.
The Sandberg Game (June 23, 1984): Ryne Sandberg announced his candidacy for the MVP on a nationally televised game. His performance made Sandberg a household name. The Cubs trailed 9-8 in the 9th with Sandberg coming to the plate against St Louis Hall of Fame relief ace Bruce Sutter. Sandberg tied the game with a blast into the left field stand. Undaunted, the Cardinals scored two in the 10th for the lead. In the bottom half of the frame, Sandberg tied it with a two-run shot off Sutter. Chicago won in the 11th on a RBI single by Dave Owen.
Sutcliffe goes 16-1 and Cubs win NL East (1984): The Indians have a habit of trading Cy Young winners. Before Lee or Sabathia left the Tribe, Rick Sutcliffe was sent to Chicago. In the summer of 1984, “Red Beard” went 16-1 for the Cubs (20-6 overall) leading the team to its first postseason appearance since 1945. He won the 1984 Cy Young Award for his effort.
Wood K’s 20 (May 6, 1998): Kerry Wood seemed destined for greatness. He pitched one of the greatest games of all time on May 6, 1998 against Houston. The Astros lineup included Hall of Famers Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell. Wood allowed only a single hit and walked none in his 20 strikeout performance. This was total dominance.
Cubs win the first post season series since 1908 (October 5, 2003): The Cubs and Braves LDS went to a climactic fifth game. In Game 5, Kerry Wood defeated the Braves 5-1 for the franchise’s first postseason series victory in 95 years. Alex Gonzalez and Aramis Ramirez each homered in the victory. In the 95 years in between series victories, the Cubs had lost seven World Series and three playoff series. They went on to lose the 2003 NLCS and were later swept in the 2007 and 2008 NLDS.
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