This Day in Chicago Cubs History

Cubs Opening Day
July 24, 2020
Wrigley Field

A great opening day for the 2020 season.  Kyle Hendricks gets his first opening day start and pitches a 3-hit complete game shutout.  Ian Happ & Anthony Rizzo homer for the Cubs. 

Victor Caratini starts at designated hitter. Since the National League has never had a DH for a full season, he becomes the first DH for the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs typically open the season on the road so this victory is the Cubs first home opener victory since 1996. 

As for Hendricks complete game shutout on opening day, the last Cubs pitcher to throw a CG shutout on opening day was Bill Bonham on April 9, 1974 when he pitched a 4-hit complete game over the Reds in a 2-0 Cubs victory at Wrigley Field.  Jake Arrieta and 2 Cubs relievers did shut out the Angels 9-0 in the season opener on the road in 2016. 

Kyle Schwarber got the first Cubs hit of the season with an infield single in the 2nd inning and Ian Happ got the first HR and RBI of the season with his 3rd inning, 2-run home run.

August 7, 2004
Greg Maddux wins his 300th career victory with an 8-4 decision over Giants in San Francisco.

Cubs History-August 7

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.  

Cubs History-August 8

August 9

Happy birthday, Jason Heyward

8/9/1988

Cubs play their first night game at Wrigley Field.  

Cubs History-August 9

Derrek LeeDerrek Lee

August 10, 2004
At Wrigley Field, Derrek Lee homers twice in a 8-6 Cubs loss to the Padres. 

Cubs History-August 10

August 11, 2003
Kerry Wood becomes the quickest MLB pitcher to reach 1,000 strikeouts.  Wood gets to 1,000 in 134 games.  He breaks Roger Clemens record of 143 games.  

Cubs History-August 11

Thad BosleyThad Bosley

August 12, 1985
At Wrigley Field, Cubs make a nice comeback with the help of pinch hitter, Thad Bosley who hits a 3-run HR in 6th to tie the game and
another homer in the 8th a 2-run home run to give the Cubs an 8-7 win over the Expos. 

Cubs History-August 12

Fergie JenkinsFergie Jenkins

August 13, 1967
At Wrigley Field, Cubs sweep a doubleheader against the Phillies as Fergie Jenkins shuts out the Phillies on just 4 hits in a 1-0 Cubs victory in 2nd game.

Cubs History-August 13

Mark GraceMark Grace

August 14, 1993
Cubs blow a 9th inning 2-0 lead to Giants, but  Mark Grace wins it for Cubs in 9th with walk-off RBI single scoring Jose Vizcaino.

Cubs History-August 14

Derrek LeeDerrek Lee

August 15, 2010
At Busch Stadium, Derrek Lee homers twice as the Cubs defeat the Cardinals 9-7. 

Cubs History-August 15

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, 1880
Larry Corcoran pitches the first Cubs no-hitter.  The first of 3 in Corcoran's career with Cubs.  

August 19, 1965
Jim Maloney no-hits the Cubs 1-0. 

August 19, 1969
Ken Holtzman pitches his first no-hitter in his career.  It is the Cubs 9th no-hitter in team history (the 8th was Don Cardwell's no-hitter in 1960).  Holtzman will pitch a 2nd no-hitter for the Cubs in 1971.  Only 3 Cubs have pitched multiple no-hitters for the team (Larry Corcoran had 3 in the 1880's, Holtzman & Jake Arrieta (2015 & 2016).  

Cubs History-August 19

Don CardwellDon Cardwell

August 20, 1961
At Wrigley Field, a great pitcher's duel ends 1-0 on Billy William's 11th inning walk-off RBI single.  Don Cardwell pitches all 11 innings, giving up just 6 hits.  The Pirates, Bob Friend also completes the game and is the tough luck loser. 

Cubs History-August 20

Ben Zobrist's big 10th inning hit in Game 7 of 2016 World Series




David Ross being carried off the field after Cubs 2016 Game 7 Victory