1908 Cubs photos *updated with many more pics*

[JimSorgi]

What's so special about the year 1908?

[TruffleShuffle]

What's so special about the year 1908?

 

yeah i was wondering the same thing, does it have some sort of significance with respect to the cubs?

[Soul]

Reading up a little more on the West Side Grounds. Came across these fun little tid bits:

 

West Side Grounds was built next to a Psychiatric building which was located behind the left field wall. The patients would yell and scream crazy things from the building creating the phrase, “That came out of left field."

 

On September 1, 1906 at West Side Grounds, the regular umpires were stricken with food poisoning. Cubs pitcher Carl Lundgren and Cardinals catcher Pete Noonan were selected to ump the game. The Cubs won 8-1 behind a five-hitter from Modecai “Three Fingers” Brown

 

A young fan developed a unique way of getting into West Side Grounds. As he stood at the entrance to the park at Polk and Wood, the young fan along with some friends would wait for Cubs great Frank Chance to arrive, and say, “Hope you win today! Wish I could see it!” or he would tell Chance, “I heard you had a good day yesterday! Wish I saw it!” Sometimes Chance would stop, and say, “Come along kids.” Chance then would walk the kids through the pass gate. If not, the young fan and his pals would watch the game through knotholes in the fence or climb in over the fence. The young fan who described himself as a “roaring Cubs baseball fan” was George Halas

 

Neat little site devoted to the ballpark: http://bc1000.com/graphics_twoilfs/facts.htm

[hardcorecubfan]

great pics, Mordecai is a bit bigger than I imagined

[Guest]

Awesome post. Nice to put a face to the names. I would definately rock out one of those jackets.

[chuckywang]

Unis didn't have numbers on them?

[jersey cubs fan]

Unis didn't have numbers on them?

 

Warner Wolf, a longtime NY area sports guy on the news, and ESPN 1050 personality, recently told the story, I believe, about the first time a team (probably Yankees) used numbers. They stuck to the number of their position or batting order, can't remember. I think it was in the 20's.

[Butterscup1679666578]

these are awesome. i have that first one in plaque form. got it for christmas a handful of years back

 

http://www.championshipplaques.com/images/MLB/WS2/08cubs.jpg

[David]

Do the Cubs actually have a trophy from 1908 laying around somewhere? I wonder what it looked like.

[zatar]

Great pics.

[Roast]

Unis didn't have numbers on them?

This site has a pretty cool little history of MLB uniforms:

http://baseball.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_major_league_baseball_uniform

 

* In 1868, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first team to wear knickers rather than pants. The reason: believe it or not, it was to show off the team’s high red socks, which had been designed by the owner's wife.

 

* In 1906, the New York Giants were the first team to introduce the collarless jersey. After almost sixty years of wearing uniforms that resembled bankers’ outfits, Major League players were finally freed from the eternal annoyance of the collared shirt.

 

* In 1912, the New York Yankees first switched to a pinstriped uniform. It has since become the most famous uniform in all of sports.

 

* In 1929, both the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians introduced numbers on the backs of players’ uniforms. The Yankee numbers were designed to correspond to their starting players’ positions in the batting order; hence, Babe Ruth was No. 3 and Lou Gehrig was No. 4. By 1932, every Major League team had also placed numbers on their uniforms, a practice that remains to this day.

 

* In 1939, the Yankees became the first team to ever retire a player’s number, when they sent Lou Gehrig’s famous number 4 out to pasture. Since then, well over 200 players have had their numbers retired by their teams. Most notably, In 1997, Jackie Robinson’s number 42 was retired throughout the entire Major Leagues.

 

* In 1960, the Chicago White Sox were the first team to place a player’s name on the back of his jersey.

[TarzanJoeWallis]

Unis didn't have numbers on them?

 

Warner Wolf, a longtime NY area sports guy on the news, and ESPN 1050 personality, recently told the story, I believe, about the first time a team (probably Yankees) used numbers. They stuck to the number of their position or batting order, can't remember. I think it was in the 20's.

 

Batting order, which is why Ruth was 3 and Gerhig 4.

[Roast]

Unis didn't have numbers on them?

 

Warner Wolf, a longtime NY area sports guy on the news, and ESPN 1050 personality, recently told the story, I believe, about the first time a team (probably Yankees) used numbers. They stuck to the number of their position or batting order, can't remember. I think it was in the 20's.

 

Batting order, which is why Ruth was 3 and Gerhig 4.

Look up one post 8-)

[OleMissCub]

Jack Pfiester (30), starting pitcher: 12-10, 117 ERA+

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0029/s002942.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0077/s007718.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0523/s052340.jpg

 

Orval Overall (27), starting pitcher: 15-11, 122 ERA+

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0535/s053509.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0535/s053510.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0564/s056429.jpg

 

Ed Reulbach (25), starting pitcher: 24-7, 116 ERA+

http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ggbain/08300/08343v.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0032/s003237.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0032/s003234.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0547/s054753.jpg

 

Heine Zimmerman (21), utility inf/out: 46 games, .292/.298/.345, 102 OPS+, 9 RBI, 2 SB:

http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ggbain/08300/08344v.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0600/s060004.jpg

 

Del Howard (30), outfielder: 96 games, .279/.338/.330, 110 OPS+, 26 RBI, 11 SB:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0060/s006001.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0077/s007719.jpg

 

Pat Moran (32), backup catcher: 50 games, .260/.323/.307, 98 OPS+, 12 RBI, 6 SB:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0555/s055587.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0547/s054755.jpg

 

Carl Lundgren (28) relief pitcher: 23 appearances, 6-9, 56 ERA+

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0022/s002298.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0029/s002939.jpg

 

 

Shots from the pennant raising ceremony:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0068/s006862.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0553/s055328.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0553/s055333.jpg

 

View from centerfield....that's so deep:

http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/pan/6a34000/6a34400/6a34450r.jpg

 

Batting practice. l to r, Tinker, Chance, Evers, Zimmer, Schulte, unident.:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0566/s056600.jpg

 

l to r, Steinfeldt, Moran, Kling, Evers.

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0068/s006875.jpg

 

Tinker taking BP:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0547/s054743.jpg

 

Scrimmage game:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0545/s054546.jpg

 

More practice photos:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0055/s005541.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0055/s005537.jpg

 

Evers waiting his turn:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0069/s006928.jpg

 

Three Finger with a bat:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0563/s056342.jpg

 

Chance thinking about the righty lefty matchups for the upcoming game ( :wink: )

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0055/s005544.jpg

 

Chance throwing the ball:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0547/s054764.jpg

 

Three Finger gettin' low:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0557/s055782.jpg

 

Evers covering first:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0524/s052498.jpg

 

Game action from 1908:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0068/s006869.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0058/s005873.jpg

 

I guess this is the very definition of an overflow crowd. :shock:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0058/s005881.jpg

 

The Peerless Leader leading off third:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0544/s054414.jpg

 

Leftfielder Sheckard running the bases while checking out the hot dame in the third row:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0544/s054430.jpg

 

Chance at the plate:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0514/s051445.jpg

 

Steinfeldt scoring:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0529/s052939.jpg

 

Chance rounding third. Looks to be ignoring starting pitcher Jack Pfiester who is coaching third:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0544/s054417.jpg

 

Chance scoring a run:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0557/s055757.jpg

 

A middle aged Cap Anson presenting Ed Reulbach with some bats. This really shows how long ago Cap Anson played if he was already an old man in 1908!

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0524/s052479.jpg

 

The famed Tinker, Evers, & Chance in street clothes:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0581/s058120.jpg

[Soul]

I wonder what the ground rules were for when a foul ball went into that overflow crowd. Fair game for the fan, I would imagine.

 

Heck, I might throw a sneaky elbow at a Cardinals player if he tried to catch one in there. :P

[OleMissCub]

I wonder what the ground rules were for when a foul ball went into that overflow crowd. Fair game for the fan, I would imagine.

 

Heck, I might throw a sneaky elbow at a Cardinals player if he tried to catch one in there. :P

 

Yes you were definitely fair game to get abused if you went into the crowd. There are several stories about that type of stuff in Crazy 08. During one of the World Series games against the Tigers, Cobb dove after a ball into the crowd and crushed a spectator's bowler hat. He came out there the next inning and gave the guy ten dollars to get a new hat.

 

There were also lots of examples of spectator's trying to bribe fielders to drop a ball or whatever. Sometimes there would be a fly ball hit and as the fielder camped under it, a fan might yell out that they'd give them five dollars to drop it. This actually worked sometimes.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Unis didn't have numbers on them?

 

Warner Wolf, a longtime NY area sports guy on the news, and ESPN 1050 personality, recently told the story, I believe, about the first time a team (probably Yankees) used numbers. They stuck to the number of their position or batting order, can't remember. I think it was in the 20's.

 

Batting order, which is why Ruth was 3 and Gerhig 4.

and, unfortunately, Theriot is 2

[OleMissCub]

Just wanted to quote my two favorite passages from Crazy 08:

 

In the second inning, New York left fielder Harry "Moose" McCormick is nailed in the ribs with a Pfiester [Cubs pitcher] fastball. When he crumples to the ground in agony, the Giants hustle out their physician to treat the wounded man. Dr. Joseph Creamer does so by dumping a bucket of water over the prone figure. Thus refreshed, McCormick rises and makes his unsteady way to first.

 

Also, there is a great insight into what the 1908 Cubs were like on a personal level:

 

Chicago Sportswriter Hugh Fullerton traveled with the Cubs - and adored them. One evening in 1908, after the eating and smoking was done, he went from compartment to compartment [of the team's train]. Here is what he found: Utility player Bill Marshall, a Penn man, is studying a book on dentistry, assisted by littled used pitcher Andy Coakley, a Holy Cross man. Two other pitchers, Carl Lundgren and Chick Fraser, discuss the details of raising alfalfa and the best way to preserve fodder. Chance and Kling talk baseball. Jimmy Slagle reads a novel; Ed Reulbach, who went to Notre Dame, dips into a book on his hobby, chemistry. Five are playing poker (for low stakes, Fullerton insists). Two men play bridge, with their wives as partners. Jimmy Sheckard and Harry Steinfieldt chat about the relative merits of Pennsylvania and Texas. Catcher Pat Moran lectures a reporter on the role of Ireland in the children's crusades. Evers reads a biography of Savonarola.

[Soul]

Heading into a 2nd world championship in a row, these guys were the toast of the country. There's no way in hell anyone could have realized it would be the last Cub championship. Must have seemed like the circus would never end at the time.

 

This is a great thread. Thanks for the pics OMC.

[bukie]

Unis didn't have numbers on them?

 

Warner Wolf, a longtime NY area sports guy on the news, and ESPN 1050 personality, recently told the story, I believe, about the first time a team (probably Yankees) used numbers. They stuck to the number of their position or batting order, can't remember. I think it was in the 20's.

 

Batting order, which is why Ruth was 3 and Gerhig 4.

and, unfortunately, Theriot is 2

 

and Fukudome is 1

[OleMissCub]

 

and Fukudome is 1

 

two is not a winner and three nobody remembers

[Roast]

Carl Lundgren (28) relief pitcher: 23 appearances, 6-9, 56 ERA+

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0022/s002298.jpg

Ever since I can rememba' I been poppin my colla',

pa-pa-poppin my colla'

[SABR Gamer]

Why does a publication from 1907 have the 1908 World Series winner on it?

 

 

Assuming this was after they won the 07 World Series, making them the current champions going into the 08 season and during the 08 season until the new champion was crowned, and it was themselves so they stayed champions, yay.

[TarzanJoeWallis]

Shots from the pennant raising ceremony:

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0068/s006862.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/ndlpcoop/ichicdn/s0553/s055328.jpg

 

 

Are those bleachers on top of two of those buildings?

[OleMissCub]

 

Are those bleachers on top of two of those buildings?

 

Certainly looks that way.