And nepotism, that's why!

Anyway, Today in Baseball History is very Chicago-centric:

1916 In Chicago, the Cubs play their first game at Weeghman Park beating the Reds in 11 innings, 7-6. The ballpark will be renamed Wrigley Field in 1926.

Wheeghman Park had been home of the Chicago Whales of the Federal League, and I kind of wish the National League club had taken the Whales nickname when their owner bought the Cubs. It would be an accurate description of the size of so many sausage-chomping and beer-swilling Midwestern fans, not to mention players like Hack Wilson and Rick Reuschel, and would provide a connection to the fauna of the Pacific Northwest, somewhat justifying this post.

Get your Whales Merchandise here!

And in

1946 The Cubs are shut out by Cardinal southpaw Harry Brecheen in their home opener at Wrigley Field, 2-0. The game is the first in the club's history be televised with 'Whispering' Joe Wilson doing the play-by-play on Chicago's WBKB.

And in
1967 Rookie hurler Tom Seaver gets his first major-league win when the Mets beat the Cubs, 6-1. 'Tom Terrific' goes 7 2/3 innings giving up eight hits and one run.

And in
1997 In the second game of a doubleheader, the Cubs stop their season-opening losing skid at 14 games beating the Mets, 4-3. By losing the opener, Chicago set a National League record (0-14) for the most consecutive losses to start a season and has the second-worst record behind the Baltimore Orioles who lost 21 decisions before winning a game in 1988.

Am listening to the Cubs blow a game to the Reds right now, already down 4 runs in the middle of the first. Reds have batted around. If they win today, it's the Cincinnati franchise's 10,000th win. Ah, History! Makes my upcoming colonoscopy seem all the more appropriate.