Al Spalding-- Part 1: Mighty Big Name in Early MLB

On March 30, I wrote about the Chicago White Stockings (now the Cubs) winning their season opener in 1876 behind the pitching of their manager-pitcher Al Spalding.  Well, this name sounded familiar in sporting goods so I did some further research and what a baseball player this guy was.

From Wikipedia.

ALBERT GOODWILL SPALDING  (September 2, 1850-September9, 1915)

Baseball pitcher, player, manager and executive and co-founder of A.G. Spalding sporting goods company.  Born and raised in Byron, Illinois, and graduated high school in Rockford, Illinois.    Played Major League Baseball from 1871 to 1878.  He started a trend when he started wearing a baseball glove.

After his retirement as a player, he became active as an executive and owner of the Chicago White Stockings (who are today's Chicago Cubs).With William Hulburt, he organized the National League and later called for a commission which determined that baseball had been invented by Abner Doubleday (second in command at Fort Sumter when it surrendered to the Confederates and later Union general).  He also wrote the first set of baseball rules.

--CootBall

(N)opening Day-- Part 4: Now for You Cub Fans, the Chicago White Stockings & WGN

Cubs Season Openers:

APRIL 25, 1876--  The Cubs were then known as the Chicago White Stockings and were one of he eight charter members of the National League.  In their first game, they defeated host Louisville Grays 4-0 behind pitcher/manager Al Spalding.  They went on to finish 52-14 and won the league by six games and hit a league-best .337.

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APRIL 14, 1925--  Quinn Ryan called the first game for WGN radio, beginning a 90-year relationship.  Cubs score six runs in the 7th capped by Gabby Hartnett's three-run homer.  The game lasted just 1 hour and 38 minutes.

Well. that to has changed as WGN is not televising any Cub games this year as per owner Ricketts.

--RoadCub

A Very Interesting Man: Wayne Huizenga (1937-2018)-- Part 1: Blockbuster Video and Sports Teams

From the March 25, 2018, Chicago Tribune "Owned teams, trash haulers and video stores" by Steven Wine and Terry Spencer (AP).

"College dropout Wayne Huizenga started with a trash-hauling company, struck gold during America's brief love affair with the VHS tapes (I still use VHS tapes to record TV shows) and eventually owned three professional sports teams.

"Huizenga owned Blockbuster Entertainment, AutoNation and the world's largest trash hauler, and was founding owner of professional baseball's Florida Marlins and NHL Florida Panthers.  He bought the NFL Miami Dolphins for $138 million in 1994."

Died March 24 at age 80.

The Marlins won the World Series in 1997 and Panthers reached the Stanley Cup final in 1996, but, to his chagrin, the Dolphins never reached the Super Bowl during his ownership.

And, how he became so rich is quite a story as well.  He was what they call a self-made millionaire.

More On That In My Next Post.

Championship Droughts-- Part 4

MINNEAPOLIS-- (Timber Wolves, Twins, Vikings)  24 years.  The Vikings have been to two NFC Title games and the Timber Wolves were at the Western Conference Title finals in 2004.  The Twins were in the 1991 World Series.

WASHINGTON, D.C.--  (Capitals, Nationals, Redskins, Wizards)  The Redskins won in '82, '87 and '91.  The Capitals competed in the World Series in 1998.

HOUSTON--  (Astros, Rockets, Texans)  20 years.  The Rockets had back-to-back championships in the mid-1990s.  The only championship appearance since then were the Astros in 2005 (when they were swept by the Chicago White Sox)

ATLANTA--  (Braves, Falcons, Hawks)  20 years.  The Braves were a big tease in the 90s, routinely winning the NL East and N.L. title, but losing in the World Series other than 1995.  Falcons and Hawks have had just one championship appearance between them, the Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII.

Of course, as far as I am concerned, appearing in a championship game, even if you don't win, is pretty good.

Oh Well.  --DaCoot

Championship Drought-- Part 3

KANSAS CITY--  (Chiefs, Royals)  30 years.  Royals almost ended drought last year, losing in game 7 to San Francisco.  It was their first championship appearance since the 1985 World Series.

OAKLAND--  (A's, Raiders, Golden State Warriors).  This drought, of course, was snapped last week when the Warriors defeated the LeBron.  Before that it had been 26 years.  None of the Warriors were alive the last time when they last won in 1975.  The Raiders were in Los Angeles when they won their last Super Bowl in 1984.  The A's didn't have a parade with their last World Series championship in 1989, following the earthquake.

CINCINNATI--  (Bengals, Reds)  25 years  Last win was Reds in 1990 World Series when they swept the A's.

PHILADELPHIA--  (Eagles, Flyers, Phillies, 76ers)  Recently snapped (seven years ago), but 25 years before that.  The Eagles have been a big tease with 4 straight appearances in NFC Title games.  They were in Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005, but lost..  The last champion 76ers was 1983 and the Phillies won the World Series in 2008.

And, then There Are our Cubbies.  --Cooter

Championship Drought: Cities With 20 Years or More-- Part 2

And for a long time, Chicago could be counted in this list.  And, as I pointed out Thursday, we still would be if it were up to the Cubs and, until 2005, the White Sox.  Time for our baseball teams to get on board.

MILWAUKEE--   (Brewers, Bucks)  44 years.  OK, that Green Bay team is sometimes counted as Milwaukee and that would make a difference, but, Green Bay is 116 miles away.  Bu the way, the Bears passed on that Aaron guy for Jay.  The Bucks, with that Kareem guy won the NBA in 1971.  Milwaukee was last represented in a championship game when the Brewers lost to the Cardinals in the 1982 World Series.

NEW ORLEANS--  (Pelicans, Saints), 42 years.  Okay, recently snapped in 2010 by the Saints and that Drew guy who the Bears passed on for Jay.

SEATTLE--    (Mariners, Seahawks)  Okay, recently snapped by the Seahawks with that outstanding qb who the Bears took a bye on so they could keep Jay, but before that, it was 42 years.  The Supersonics, now Oklahoma City Thunder, won the NBA title in 1979 and came close to back-to-back Super Bowl wins except for that call near the end.  Still waiting for a World Series Appearance.

There Are Still More.  Waiting and Waiting.  --SoTiredCooter

Championship Drought: Cities That Have Gone 20 Years or Longer

From Yahoo!  "Championship starved cities: 20 years or longer without a title."

Just imagine how bad Chicago would be if we only had the Cubs.  Last one in '07 and I'm not talking about 2007.  Go to 1907.

SAN DIEGO--  (Chargers, Padres)  52 years now.  The Chargers won the 1963 AFL Crown and the Padres twice went to the World Series with Tony Gwynn, but lost.  (In 1984 they advanced to the World Series by beating our Cubs.)  The Chargers were in one Super Bowl.

CLEVELAND---  (Browns, Cavaliers and Indians)  51 years now.  Browns won NFL Championship in '64.  And, even Mr. Wonderful, the James, couldn't get the Cavs the NBA Championship on Tuesday.

BUFFALO---  (Bills and Sabres)  50 years now.  Despite four straight Super Bowl appearances and 3 Stanley Cup Finals.  Last champion, the Bills winning the AFL Championship in 1965.

And, There Are More.  --Cooter