So long, Harry, and other stories.<\/p>\n
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays,\u00a0Bleed Cubbie Blue<\/a>\u00a0is pleased to present a\u00a0Cubs<\/a>-centric look at baseball\u2019s colorful past.\u00a0Here\u2019s a handy Cubs timeline<\/a>, to help you follow the various narrative paths.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe I called it wrong, but it\u2019s official.\u201d \u2014\u00a0Tom Connolly<\/a>, HoF Umpire.<\/p>\n Today in Baseball History:<\/p>\n 1943 \u2013\u00a0New York entrepreneur William D. Cox purchases the bankrupt\u00a0Phillies<\/a>\u00a0from the National League. The 33-year-old new owner will be banned from baseball in November by commissioner Landis when he admits to making some \u201csentimental\u201d bets on his team during the season. (1)<\/p>\n 1944\u00a0\u2013 Fifteen-year-old\u00a0Joe Nuxhall<\/a>\u00a0signs a contract with the\u00a0Cincinnati Reds<\/a>\u00a0just one day after playing in a high school basketball game. The Reds had been scouting his 34-year-old father. (2)<\/p>\n 1998 \u2013\u00a0Longtime baseball announcer\u00a0Harry Caray<\/a>*\u00a0dies at the age of 84 after suffering a heart attack four days earlier while having Valentine\u2019s Day dinner with his wife, Dutchie. The colorful \u201cMayor of Rush Street\u201d started his career in 1945 with the\u00a0Cardinals<\/a>\u00a0and also did play-by-play for the A\u2019s,\u00a0White Sox<\/a>, and the Cubs during his 52 years in the broadcast booth. (2)<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Cubs birthdays: Walter Thornton<\/a>,\u00a0Zip Zabel<\/a>,\u00a0Cal Neeman<\/a>,\u00a0Bob Miller<\/a>,\u00a0Jerry Morales<\/a>,\u00a0Kevin Tapani<\/a>,\u00a0Shawn Estes<\/a>,\u00a0Brian Bogusevic<\/a>, Isaac Paredes<\/a>. Also notable:\u00a0Joe Gordon<\/a>\u00a0(HoF)<\/p>\n Today in history:<\/p>\n 1268\u00a0\u2013 Battle of Wesenberg: Livonian Brothers of the Sword fight the forces of Novgorod and Pskov, led by Dmitry of Pereslavl near Rakvere in modern-day Estonia; both sides claim victory.<\/p>\n