Chicago Cubs history unpacked — July 13

Free of charge for the discerning reader.

Happy birthday to DJ LeMahieu, and a mighty host of others.

Today in baseball history, in 1896 – Ed Delahanty hits four home runs, but it’s not enough as the Phillies lose to the Chicago Colts, 9-8. “Big Ed” is the second man to hit four homers in one game in the National League, after Bobby Lowe two years earlier. It will be another 90 years until another man hits four long balls in defeat, when Bob Horner does it for the Atlanta Braves on July 6, 1986, and other stories as well.

Today in baseball history:

1963 – Future Hall of Fame pitcher Early Wynn wins his 300th and final MLB game at 43.

Today in Cubs history:

1936 – Bill Lee wins a 1-0 duel from Carl Hubbell, as the Cubs move into first place. It is the last game the Giant ace will lose this year; he will win his final 16 decisions.

Cubs Birthdays: Cody Bellinger, Casey Sadler, DJ LeMahieu*, Bill Caudill, Don Bryant, Jack Aker, Frank Hiller, Clarence Blair, Gene Packard, John O’Brien, George Bradley. Also notable: Stan Coveleski HOF.

Today in history:

1568 – Dean of St. Paul’s London, Alexander Nowell, perfects a way to bottle beer.
1835 – Swedish-American inventor John Ericsson files for a patent for his screw propeller design.
1865 – Horace Greeley, founder and editor of the “New-York Tribune,” reputedly advises his readers to “Go west, young man.”
1871 – World’s first championship cat show is organized by Harrison Weir and held at Crystal Palace, London.
1923 – The Hollywood Sign is officially dedicated in the hills above Hollywood, Los Angeles. It originally reads “Hollywoodland,” but the last four letters are dropped after renovation in 1949.
1994 – Tonya Harding‘s ex-husband Jeff Gillooly sentenced to 2 years in prison for attack on American Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan.

Today in music history:

1956 – RCA releases Elvis Presley‘s single “Hound Dog,” a cover of Big Mama Thornton’s original, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, backed with “Don’t Be Cruel,” written by Otis Blackwell.
1978 – BBC bans Sex Pistols‘ “No One is Innocent”.
1984 – British guitarist Jeff Beck quits singer Rod Stewart’s tour after seven shows.
1984 – Eddie Van Halen makes a guest appearance, performing “Beat It” at a Jacksons concert in Dallas, Texas.
1985 – Live Aid concerts held at both Wembley Stadium (London) and JFK Stadium (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) raise over $70 million for African famine relief.
2006 – UK singer-songwriter Lily Allen releases her debut album “Alright, Still” (Grammy nominee Best Alternative Music Album).