Chicago Cubs history unpacked, April 10
A Chicago Cubs-centric digest, with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content.
Free of charge for the discerning reader. Jackie Robinson signs, Bill Veeck gives away seats, Cubs wave the BIG BANNER for the first time and win, too. Happy birthday to Chuck Connors*!
Today in baseball history : 1913 – In a game which features U. S. President Woodrow Wilson throwing out the first pitch , the New York Highlanders become the New York Yankees .
Playing their first game under their new nickname, the Yankees lose to the Washington Senators , 2-1, as future Hall of Famer Walter Johnson picks up the win for Washington. After giving up an unearned run in the first inning, Johnson begins a string of shutout innings that will reach a major league record 56 before the St. Louis Browns score in the 4th inning on May 14th .
1947 – In one of the most significant moments in baseball history, Jackie Robinson becomes the first black player of the 20th century to sign a major league contract. Robinson agrees a one-year deal with the Brooklyn Dodgers , whose general manager , Branch Rickey , personally recruited Robinson from the Negro Leagues . 1962 – Dodger Stadium , the first major league ballpark privately financed since Yankee Stadium opened in 1923 , opens in Chavez Ravine.