USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ THE CANTEEN SALUTES THE CHICAGO CUBS ~ APRIL 24 2003

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THE CANTEEN PROUDLY SALUTES THE CHICAGO CUBS!

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CHICAGO CUBS HISTORY TIMELINE

In 1876, the Chicago White Stockings become one of eight charter members of the National League led by their president William A. Hulbert, who was also the owner of the Chicago club. A.G. Spalding is the manager when the team plays its first game in the history of the Chicago National League Ball Club that takes place on April 25.

1900s

What a decade for Cubs baseball, which is exactly what it was. In 1902, noting the youth movement lead by new manger Frank Selee, a local newspaper penned the nickname Cubs for the first time. The moniker prevailed over time and was officially adopted by the club in 1907. It is currently one of the longest running-and most beloved-alias' in all of sports.

1910s

The team began this decade much like they concluded the previous one-by winning. The Cubs win their fourth National League pennant in five seasons. Despite wining 104 games and capturing the flag by 13 games, they lose the 1910 World Series to the Philadelphia A's, four games to one.

1920s

In 1920, Weeghman Park becomes known as Cubs Park, after chewing gum magnet William Wrigley buys out the remainder of Charles Weeghman's share of the club. The park would undergo yet another name change in 1926 when it becomes Wrigley Field.

1930s

In 1930, outfielder Hack Wilson puts together one of the greatest hitting seasons in baseball history, pounding 56 homers and driving in 191 runs-a mark has never been bettered in Major League Baseball. On June 27, the largest crowd ever to see a game at Wrigley Field — 51,556 — is on hand as the Cubs play the Brooklyn Dodgers. But paid attendance is only 19,748, due to the Ladies Day promotion.

1940s

Instead of becoming one of the first teams to install lights, the Cubs went on to become one of the last when, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, P.K. Wrigley donates the lighting equipment that he had recently purchased to the War Department in 1941.

1950s

With the country in the middle of the Cold War, the Cubs as a team are in the middle of a frigid decade. After experiencing success for the majority of their existence, the Cubs finish the 50s without a postseason appearance, the first decade of a drought that would last until 1984.

1960s

Sport imitated life in the 60s. A period mostly remembered for rebelling against the norm and untimely deaths of promising young leaders could describe the nation's or the organization's history during this time. In 1960 owner P.K. Wrigley experimented with manager position, implementing a "College of Coaches."

1970s

During the 1970s, the Cubs saw many of their greats ride off into the sunset. Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks retires from the game in 1971 with 512 home runs. Three years later he and his familiar greeting of, "Let's play two!" are inducted into the Hall of Fame. Billy Williams, who in 1971 becomes the first player in NL history to play in 1,000 consecutive games, is traded to Oakland on October 23, 1974.

1980s

Ch-ch-changes are in store for the Cubs in the 1980s in regards to ownership, postseason play and the park. In 1981 the Wrigley family ends their 65-year ownership of the team when William Wrigley sells the team to the Tribune Company for $20.5 million. In 1982 Fergie Jenkins -having been picked up as a free agent the previous November-becomes the seventh player in baseball history to hurl a record 3,000 strikeouts. That season Ernie Banks becomes the first Cub to have his number retire. The fabled No. 14 now flies from the left-field foul pole at Wrigley Field while Billy Williams' No. 26-retired in 1987-flies from the right-field pole.

1990s

Home runs, strikeouts and the passing of two legendary voices of the Cubs are the items of note from this decade. In 1990, Ryne Sandberg leads the NL with 40 home runs, the third-highest total ever for a second baseman. Sandberg also established a major-league record by playing errorless ball for 123 straight games. Cub pitcher Greg Maddux wins the NL Cy Young award in 1992, after posting a 20-and-11 record. The next season, Randy Myers sets an NL record with 53 saves. Setting the stage for greater things to come, in 1993 Sammy Sosa becomes the first player in Cubs history to post a "30/30" season, finishing the year with 33 homers and 36 steals.

2000s

However one looks at it-whether 2000 begins the new millennium or ends the old one-the Cubs began it with a rather ominous result. While Sammy Sosa continues his swatting ways en-route to becoming just the third player in major-league history to reach the 50-homer mark in three straight seasons, the team struggles, winding up with a 65-97 record.

The Chicago Cub's Wrigley Field

DID YOU KNOW??

Wrigley Field, which was built in 1914, is playing host to Major League Baseball for the 90th season in 2003.

The Friendly Confines is the second-oldest ballpark in the majors behind Boston's Fenway Park (1912).

Wrigley Field has been the site of such historic moments as:

Babe Ruth's "called shot," when Ruth allegedly pointed to a bleacher location during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series ... Ruth then hit Charlie Root's next pitch for a homer.

Gabby Hartnett's famous "Homer in the Gloamin' " September 28, 1938, vs. Pittsburgh's Mace Brown.

the great May 2, 1917, pitching duel between Jim "Hippo" Vaughn and the Reds' Fred Toney ... both Vaughn and Toney threw no-hitters for 9.0 innings before Cincinnati's Jim Thorpe (of Olympic fame) drove in the only run in the 10th inning ... Toney finished with a no-hitter.

Ernie Banks' 500th career home run May 12, 1970, vs. Atlanta's Pat Jarvis.

Pete Rose's 4,191st career hit, which tied him with Ty Cobb for the most hits in baseball history ... Rose singled off Reggie Patterson September 8, 1985.

Originally known as Weeghman Park, Wrigley Field was built on the grounds once occupied by a seminary.

Weeghman Park was the home of Chicago's entry in the Federal League and was the property of Charles H. Weeghman ... the club was known as both the Federals and the Whales.

the cost of building Weeghman Park, which had a seating capacity of 14,000, was estimated at $250,000 ... the infield and outfield consisted of more than 4,000 yards of soil and four acres of bluegrass.

the first major league game at the ballpark took place April 23, 1914, with the Federals defeating Kansas City 9-1 ... the first homer in ballpark history was hit by Federals catcher Art Wilson - a 2-run shot in the 2nd inning off Kansas City's Chief Johnson.

when the Federal League folded for financial reasons after the 1915 campaign, Weeghman purchased the Cubs from the Taft family of Cincinnati and moved the club to the two-year-old ballpark at the corner of Clark and Addison streets.

the first National League game at the ballpark was played April 20, 1916, when the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 in 11 innings ... a bear cub was in attendance at the game.

the park became known as Cubs Park in 1920 after the Wrigley family purchased the team from Weeghman ... it was named Wrigley Field in 1926 in honor of William Wrigley Jr., the club's owner.

The Wrigley Field bleachers and scoreboard were constructed in 1937 when the outfield area was renovated to provide improved and expanded seating ... the original scoreboard remains intact.

the score-by-innings and the pitchers' numbers are changed by hand ... the numbers signaling batter, ball, strike and out, along with "H" and "E" to signify hit and error, are eyelets.

no batted ball has ever hit the centerfield scoreboard ... two baseballs barely missed - a homer hit onto Sheffield Avenue (right-center) by Bill Nicholson in 1948, and one hit by Roberto Clemente onto Waveland Avenue (left-center) in 1959.

one of the traditions of Wrigley Field is the flying of a flag bearing a "W" or an "L" atop the scoreboard after a game ... a white flag with a blue "W" indicates a victory; a blue flag with a white "L" denotes a loss.

The original vines were purchased and planted by Bill Veeck in September 1937 ... Veeck strung bittersweet from the top of the wall to the bottom, then planted the ivy at the base of the wall.

the bleacher wall is 11.5 feet high ... the basket attached to the wall was constructed in 1970.

Ernie Banks' uniform number (14) is imprinted on the flag which flies from the leftfield foul pole ... Billy Williams' No. 26 flies from the rightfield foul pole.

Wrigley Field added lights in 1988.

the first night game took place August 8 against Philadelphia, but was rained out after 31/2 innings.

the first official night game occurred August 9 vs. New York, when the Cubs defeated the Mets 6-4.

Wrigley Field has also been the site of numerous construction projects since Tribune Company purchased the Cubs in 1981.

new office space was created and old offices refurbished in the administrative area behind home plate in 1981-1982, while the ticket office was built directly behind home plate in 1983.

during the winter of 1984, a new home clubhouse was completed under the third base stands ... the visitors' clubhouse was renovated in 1990.

in 1989, private boxes were constructed on the mezzanine level, formerly occupied by the press box and broadcasting booths ... a press box and broadcasting booths were constructed in the upper deck directly behind home plate ... other improvements included a food court in the upper deck.

following renovations in 1994 and 1995, there are now 63 private boxes.

an elevator was added to the third base concourse in 1996.

CHICAGO CUBS CORNER

Current Standings
The National League Central Standings

CENTRAL	W	L	PCT	GB	HOME	ROAD	EAST	CENT	WEST	AL	L10	STRK
Chicago	13	7	.650	-	8-3	5-4	4-2	8-5	1-0	0-0	8-2	W1
Houston	10	9	.526	2.5	5-4	5-5	1-0	6-6	3-3	0-0	3-7	W1
Pittsburgh	10	9	.526	2.5	4-6	6-3	3-3	6-6	1-0	0-0	4-6	W2
St. Louis	9	9	.500	3.0	4-4	5-5	0-1	7-4	2-4	0-0	5-5	L3
Milwaukee	8	12	.400	5.0	4-6	4-6	0-1	6-7	2-4	0-0	5-5	L1
Cincinnati	6	14	.300	7.0	3-7	3-7	2-4	4-9	0-1	0-0	2-8	L1

A LEGEND

(Click To Hear "Take Me Out To The BallGame")

(Harry Christopher Carabina)
Age: 83

legendary radio/TV broadcaster best remembered for his oversized, black-rimmed glasses and outgoing personality that earned him the title "Mayor of Rush Street" – a nightclub district in Chicago; spent 53 years broadcasting baseball games for St. Louis, Oakland, and most memorably the Chicago White Sox and Cubs; during his 27 years in Chicago (11 with the Sox, 16 with the Cubs) Caray made the seventh-inning stretch almost as interesting as the game, crooning "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in his own off-key strain with the rest of the fans; a stroke in 1987 caused him to miss his first game and he sat out the first six weeks of the season; in 1989 he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame; his son Skip broadcasts Braves games and grandson Chip is a studio host for Fox Sports; of cardiac arrest

Died: Rancho Mirage, Calif., Feb. 18, 1998.

(Click To Hear Some Of Harry Caray's famous soundbites)

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