This Day in Chicago Cubs History

Some Great September Dates in Cubs History

Frank Castillo

September 25, 1995
At Wrigley Field, Frank Castillo is so close to a no-hitter, giving up the first hit with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth, a triple to Bernard Gilkey.  Castillo finishes with a 1-hit complete game shutout.  His game score of 96, calculated by ESPN is tied for MLB best in 1995 (Chuck Finley, May 23, 1995).

Rick ReuschelRick Reuschel

September 24, 1975
Both Tom Seaver & Rick Reuschel pitch 10 scoreless innings before the Cubs load the bases in the bottom of the 11th inning and the game ends when Skip Lockwood walks Bill Madlock scoring Rick Monday with the walk-off walk.  Cubs defeat the Mets 1-0 in 11 innings at Wrigley Field.

September 21, 1965
At Wrigley Field, Ron Santo & Ernie Banks hit back to back 1st inning
home runs and Santo's 2nd home run in the 8th inning, off Phillies rookie, Fergie Jenkins, wins it for Cubs 7-5.  Santo drives in 6 of the 7 Cubs runs. 

For Fergie, it is the first run he gives up in his MLB career, his first
career loss in his first and last game he ever pitched against the Cubs.

Fergie JenkinsFergie Jenkins
Ron SantoRon Santo

September 20, 2014
At Wrigley Field, Chris Coghlan leads off the game with a home
run and wins it for Cubs with a 2-run home run in the 8th inning
as Cubs defeat the Dodgers 8-7.






Ernie BanksErnie Banks

September 19, 1955
Ernie Banks hits his 5th grand slam of the 1955 season off Lindy McDaniel of the Cardinals in the 7th inning. 

The slam gives the Cubs a 5-0 lead that they will lose as the Cardinals defeat the Cubs 6-5 in 12 innings.  Bank's 5 grand slams in a season remain an NL record (Albert Pujols tied the record in 2009).  Don Mattingly and Travis Hafner hold the MLB record with 6 grand slams in a season (1987 and 2006).


Cubs History September 18Cubs History September 18

Happy Birthday to Ryne Sandberg

  • 1963: Billy Cowan's walk-off HR in 9th gives Cubs 2-1 win over Pirates.
  • 1970: Fergie's 20th win of season, Billy Williams 40th HR of season.
  • 1979: Kingman game-winning RBI in both games of doubleheader
  • 1989: Mitch Williams first MLB hit is home run.
  • 2008: 4-run 9th inning comeback to win in 12 innings.  

September 16, 2016, 10 innings

The day after clinching the NL Central, Miguel Montero gives Cubs a walk-off victory with a 10th inning home run. 

And the first of many 2016 celebrations begin!!!! 






September 14, 2008
At Miller Park, Carlos Zambrano pitches the first Cubs no-hitter since Milt Pappas in 1972. The game was played at Miller Park in Milwaukee due to Hurricane Ike in Houston. Zambrano struck out 10 and walked only 1 batter.

Watching this video of all 27 outs, you'll notice a lot of ground ball outs. He kept Ryan Theriot (shortstop), Ronny Cedeno (second base) and Derrek Lee (first base) very busy this day.


Rogers HorsnbyRogers Hornsby

September 13, 1931

In game 1 of a doubleheader, Cubs player/manager, Rogers Hornsby hits the first extra-inning, pinch-hit, grand slam in MLB history as the Cubs beat the Braves 11-7 in 11 innings at Wrigley Field.  

In game 2, Guy Bush pitches a complete game 1-hitter as Cubs sweep the doubleheader with an 8- victory.  

Rick SutcliffeRick Sutcliffe

September 8, 1984
At Shea Stadium, Rick Sutcliffe wins his 12th consecutive decision in a 6-0 Cubs win over the Mets.  Sutcliffe pitches a 4-hit complete game shutout with 12 strikeouts and at the plate has 2 hits & 2 RBI.

Derrek Lee

September 6

Happy birthday, Derrek Lee (Cubs, 2004-2010)

September 6, 2004
At Wrigley Field, Cubs hit 5 home runs, 2 by Aramis Ramirez, 1 each by Derrek Lee, Mark Grudzelanek & Michael Barrett.

September 6, 2005
At Busch Stadium, the Cubs defeat the Cardinals 5-2.  Derrek Lee goes 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored, a home run & 2 RBI. 

September 6, 2006
Trailing 2-1 into the 8th inning, Derrek Lee's grand slam highlights
a 6-run inning as the Cubs defeat the Pirates 7-2 at Wrigley Field. 

September 6, 2007
At Wrigley Field, Alfonso Soriano homers twice and drives in all 4
Cubs runs in a 7-4 loss to the Dodgers.  Derrek Lee goes 2 for 3 with a walk.  
 
September 6, 2008
At Great American Ball Park, Alfonso Soriano homers 3 times, Mark
DeRosa & Jason Marquis homer as well.  Derrek Lee has 4 hits and 3 RBI
in a 14-9 win over the Reds.

September 5, 1972
At Shae Stadium, Rick Reuschel pitches a 3-hit complete game shutout as the Cubs defeat the Mets 3-0. 

Rick Monday and Jim Hickman homer for the Cubs.

September 3, 1945
Cubs sweep a doubleheader against the Reds at Wrigley Field.

Game 1: Cubs 7 Reds 2

Andy Pafko hits a grand slam and Paul Derringer pitches a 7-hit shutout.

Game 2: Cubs 7 Reds 1
Pafko goes 3 for 4 in this win.  Hank Wyse is removed in the 1st inning after giving up 3 hits and a run.  Hy Vanderberg  relieves him and pitches all 9 innings and gives up just 6 hits and no runs to earn the win. 

Some Great August days in Cubs History

August 8

Happy birthday, Anthony Rizzo

8/8/1988

Cubs schedule first night game at Wrigley Field.  Mother Nature must prefer day games.  It is rained out.  

August 9,

Happy birthday, Jason Heyward

8/9/1988

Cubs play their first night game at Wrigley Field.  

August 8, 1980

Cliff Johnson hits a walk-off grand slam in the 14th inning for an 8-4 Cubs win over the Expos at Wrigley Field. 

August 30, 1993
Rick Wilkens walk-off grand slam gives Cubs a 10-6 victory over the Phillies in 11 innings at Wrigley Field.

August 21, 1970
Ken Holtzman comes just 5 outs short of a no-hitter.  He ends up with a one-hitter in a 15-0 Cubs win over the Giants at Wrigley Field.

August 9, 1931
In St. Louis, Guy Bush pitches a 1-hit shutout in a 1-0 Cubs victory.  Vince Barton drives in only Cubs run with a home run.

August 17, 1916
Hippo Vaughn pitches a 1-hit shutout as the Cubs defeat the Giants 1-0 at Weeghman Park (Wrigley Field). 

August 30, 1945:
Stan Hack gets his 2,000 career hit.

August 17, 1971
Billy Williams 2000 hit in a 5-4 loss to Braves in Atl.

August 18, 1989

Andre Dawson collects his 2,000 career hit


August 19 3 No-hitters in Cubs History
1880: Larry Corcoran pitches first no-hitter in Cubs team history
1965: Jim Maloney no-hits the Cubs, 1-0. 
1969: Ken Holtzman pitches 9th no-hitter in Cubs history

August 21, 1975
Rick & Paul Reuschel shuts out the Dodgers 6-0. It is the first shutout by brothers in MLB history.

August 29, 1918
Cubs clinch pennant with a 1-0, 6-4 doubleheader sweep of the Reds.  Lefty Tyler throws the shutout and Claude Hendrix's victory is his 20th of the season.

In 1918, MLB shortened the season due to the War effort.  The Cubs will face the Red Sox (and Babe Ruth pitching) in the World Series.

July 27, 2009

Cubs & Astros go into extra innings with score tied 1-1 and win it when Alfonso Soriano's 13th inning walk-off grand slam for a 5-1 Cubs victory at Wrigley Field. 

Jason Heyward joined Soriano this year as the only Cubs players to hit walk-off grand slams in the 21st century (Rick Wilkens did it in 1993).  


July 29, 2014
Remember when John Baker pitched for the Cubs?  He got the win and also walked in the 16th inning and scores on a sacrifice fly by Starlin Castro





June 23, 1984
The Sandberg Game

Ryne Sandberg hits game tying home runs in both the 8th and 9th innings off the Cardinals, Bruce Sutter.  Dave Owen gets the walk-off single in the 11th inning as Cubs defeat the Cardinals 12-11. 





June 24, 2014
Jake Arrieta retires 18 straight Reds until Billy Hamilton singles.  Cubs defeat the Reds 7-3 at Wrigley Field. 





June 20, 2007
Sammy Sosa hits 600th career HR vs Cubs & Jason Marquis who was wearing the same number (21).

June 19, 2003
Kyle Farnsworth in one of the more memorable fights in Cubs history




June 3, 1971
Ken Holtzman no-hits the Reds, 1-0 and scores the only run of the game.

May 6, 1998

At the age of 20 years old and in just his 5th MLB start, Kerry Wood strikes out 20 Houston Astros to set a NL record at the time and to this day is still tied as the most strikeouts in a game in MLB history.

His Game Score for this game is 105.  Into the 2018 season, this game score remains the best Game Score for a nine inning game in MLB history. 

More detailed recap of this historic Cubs game



May 7, 2010
What a great debut for Starlin Castro.  The 20 year old shortstop begins his career with a 6 RBI game at Great American Ballpark against the Reds.  Cubs win 14-7 as Mike Fontenot also hits a Grand Slam.

May 12, 1970

It doesn't get much better in Cubs baseball than Jack Brickhouse calling an Ernie Banks home run, especially Bank's 500th career home run!!



May 15, 1960

In his first start for the Cubs, Don Cardwell makes a good impression throwing a no-hitter against Stan Musial and the St. Louis Cardinals.  Check out Moose Moryn's catch to end it!!!!!



On April 25, 1976, the year of the America Bicentennial, Rick Monday saved the American Flag from being burned at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.



Rick Monday Saves the American Flag

I attended a Cubs game in Milwaukee and witnessed something I doubt I will ever see again. A runner stealing 2nd base and getting caught stealing 2nd base in the same inning. Here's the video!!



A few Cubs opening days that I really like.  Enjoy!!

April 12, 1960
This one was a Cubs loss, but an exciting and historic game as the Dodgers defeat the Cubs 3-2 in 11 innings on a walk off pinch hit home run by Chuck Essegian off Don Elston. Don Drysdale pitched a complete game and struck out 14 batters. And Don Zimmer hit a home run in his first at bat as a Cub.

Cubs Opening Days-1960's

April 6, 1971

In a battle between future Hall of Famer's, Fergie Jenkins outduels Bob Gibson as the Cubs defeat the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field 2-1 in ten innings. Another future Hall of Famer, Billy Williams hits a walk off home run off Gibson to defeat the rival, Cardinals. Ernie Banks does not start his first cubs opening day game since 1953

Chicago Cubs Opening Days-1970s

April 5, 1988

In a wild season opener in Atlanta, the Cubs defeat the Braves 10-9, the teams combined for 7 home runs in the game, Jody Davis, Leon Durham and Shawon Dunston homered for the Cubs. The Cubs came from behind to score 2 runs in the ninth inning and won the game in the 13th inning on a sacrifice fly by Manny Trillo.

Chicago Cubs Opening Days-1980s

April 4, 1994

Karl "Tuffy" Rhodes hits 3 home runs, but it is not enough to help the Cubs win the game as the Cubs lose to the New York Mets 12-8 in a day when the wind was blowing out at Wrigley Field. Hillary Clinton throws out the first pitch. Rhodes only hits 5 more home runs in his career with the Chicago Cubs.

Chicago Cubs Opening Days-1990s


April 4, 2005
The Cubs defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 16-6 led by Derrek Lee who was 4 for 6 with a home run, 2 double and drove in 5 runs on his way to a great season that saw him win his first batting title.
Add 2nd year in a row with 16 runs

April 5, 2015
Wrigley Field opens the season with a night game for the first time in team history. The team also unveils their new video boards. The renovations also had many fans waiting in lines to the restrooms. I know-I was one of them. It was also the first opening day at Wrigley after the death of Cubs great Ernie Banks and the team had pictures of Banks all over the bleachers that were being renovated as well. It is also the Cubs debut of free agent pitcher, Jon Lester. Lester pitched alright, but Cardinals pitcher, Adam Wainwright was better as he shut out the Cubs for a 3-0 Cardinals victory. Jason Heyward has 3 hits in his Cardinals debut and Matt Holliday drives in 2 runs for the Cardinals.


Awards season

Well, there shouldn't be a lot of off-season awards for the Cubs this season.  Jason Heyward did get his 2nd straight Gold Glove with the Cubs and his 5th overall.  

Check out past Cubs award winners:

Most Valuable Player

Cy Young

Rookie of the Year

Manager of the Year

Gold Glove & Silver Slugger


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Ben Zobrist's big 10th inning hit in Game 7


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Mike Montgomery gets the final out.
Cubs Win the World Series!!! *****************************************************
David Ross being carried off the field after Cubs victory in Game 7

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Fan Duel


2015 Cubs Walk-off victories