This Date in Chicago Sports---October 31, 1974

Lee Stern brings professional soccer to Chicago, as the Chicago Sting is granted a franchise in the North American Soccer League.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 30, 1949

The Bruins wish they never left Beantown, as the Black Hawks clobber Boston, 10-4, in a game played at the Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 29, 1959

Thirty-nine year old hurler, Early Wynn, is the recipient of the Cy Young Award. Wynn posted a 22-10 record for the White Sox in their American League championship season.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 28, 1961

Coach Ara Parseghian's Northwestern Wildcats defeat Notre Dame, 12-10, at South Bend. It is the Cats third consecutive victory over the Irish.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 27, 1975

The Bears lose to the Vikings, 13-9, in a national Monday night telecast. Minnesota placekicker Fred Cox kicks field goals of 46 and 52 yards, as 51,259 Soldier Field fans watch the action.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 26, 1941

The Bears drub the Pittsburgh Steelers, 34-7, on their way to a 10-1 regular season record and a divisional championship.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 25, 1965

Leo "The Lip" Durocher returns from a ten year managing hiatus to take over the reins of the Cubs.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 24, 1980

The American League owners, by a vote of 8-6, reject Ohio businessman Edward J. DeBartolo's bid to buy the White Sox.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 23, 1974

The Cubs trade future Hall of Fame outfielder Billy Williams to Oakland for second baseman Manny Trillo and relief pitchers Darold Knowles and Bob Locker.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 22, 1981

Lee Elia is named Cubs manager succeeding Joey Amalfitano. Elia returns to Chicago after brief utility infield stints with both the Cubs and Sox in the 60's.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 21, 1979

Laura Michalek, a 15-year old high school sophmore from Berwyn, is the first female across the finish line in the 3rd annual America's Marathon/Chicago. She ran the 26.2 mile race in a time of 3:16:45.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 20, 1968

Mac Percival's accurate foot kicks five field goals in the Bears 29-16 victory over the Eagles at Philadelphia.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 19, 1978

The White Sox fire skipper Larry Doby and replace him with former Cub Don Kessinger, who will be a player-manager for the South Siders.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 18, 1966

The Bulls make their Chicago NBA debut, defeating the Golden State Warriors, 119-116, at the International Amphitheater. Guy Rodgers and Jerry Sloan combine for 48 points in the victory.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 17,1943

The second World War forces the two Pennsylvania NFL franchises to combine resources into a blended team known as the Phil-Pitt Steagles, who visit Chicago and lose to the Bears, 48-21.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 16, 1932

After playing three consecutive scoreless ties on the road, the Bears open their home season losing to the Packers, 2-0, at Wrigley Field.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 15, 1952

Jimmy Carter regains the lightweight championship, as he wins a decision over Lauro Salas in a 15 round bout at the Chicago Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 14, 1926

The Chicago American Giants defeat the Atlantic City Bacharach Giants, 1-0, to capture the Negro League championship. Willie Foster, the younger brother of the legendary Rube Walker, records the shutout.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 13, 1927

Arlington Park race track officially opens its gates. The new sporting venue seats about 18,000, which makes it the largest track capacity in the nation at the time.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 12, 1907

The Cubs win their first World Championship as they beat the Tigers, 2-0, in the fifth game of the World Series in Detroit. The Cub pitching staff posts an incredible 0.75 composite ERA for the five game series.

West Side Park

The Cubs first four World Series' were played at West Side Park, which was located on what is today the site of the University of Illinois Medical Center at Taylor and Wood Streets. It wasn't until 1916 that the Cubs moved to the North Side, when they moved into Weeghman Park, which had been the home field of the Whales of the defunct Federal League. West Side Park may have had the deepest center field in baseball history measuring 560 feet.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 11, 1929

The Cubs, who lost the first two games of the World Series to the Philadelphia A's, win game three by a score of 3-1. Unfortunately the Cubs lose the next two games, as the A's win the first of what will be two consecutive World Series titles.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 10, 1934

Bear halfback, Beattie Feathers, gains 101 yards in 8 carries against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Feathers goes on to become the first NFL back to rush for over one thousand yards in a season.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 9, 1986

The Black Hawks open their season by edging the New York Islanders, 3-2, in a game played at the Chicago Stadium.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 8, 1907

The Cubs and Tigers open the World Series at West Side Park and play to a 3-3 tie. The game is called on account of darkness after 12 innings.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 7, 1917

Red Faber pitches the White Sox to a 7-2 win over the New York Giants in the second game of the World Series. This was the first of three Faber victories in the Series.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 6, 1959

The White Sox win the fifth game of the World Series, 1-0, behind a combined shut-out by Bob Shaw, Billy Pierce, and Dick Donovan. The Los Angeles Coliseum crowd of 92,706 is the largest ever to watch a baseball game.

Rashard Mendenhall

Skokie's very own, Steeler running back Rashard Mendenhall, rushed for 165 yards and scored 2 touchdowns yesterday, as the Steelers defeated the San Diego Chargers yesterday. The former Niles West and University of Illinois star was injured in last season's first game after being picked as the number one draft choice for Pittsburgh. I wish our local athlete a successful year, especially since the Bears won't have to play the Steelers again this year, unless we meet them in the Super Bowl.

Ed Walsh

The year 1908 was a stellar one for Ed Walsh. The White Sox hurler had a record of 40-15, while posting an ERA of 1.42. Walsh pitched for the South Siders from 1904 through 1916. He ended his career with the Boston Braves in 1917. His lifetime ERA of 1.82 is the lowest ever recorded among major league pitchers. Walsh was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 5, 1908

Pitcher Ed Walsh wins his fortieth game of the season, as the White Sox defeat the Detroit Tigers, 6-1.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 4, 1984

The Cubs are only one win away from the World Series, but their dreams are crushed as San Diego pummels them 7-1. The Padres go on to win the two remaining games of the National League Championship Series.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 3, 1945

Hank Borowy pitches a shut-out for the Cubs in the first game of the World Series against the Detroit Tigers, as the Cubbies win 9-0.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 2, 1908

Cleveland hurler Addie Joss tosses a perfect game against the White Sox in a 1-0 victory. Sox pitcher Ed Walsh strikes out fifteen in a losing effort.

This Date in Chicago Sports---October 1, 1919

Was the fix in? The underdog Cincinnati Reds embarrass the White Sox, defeating the South Siders 9-1 in the first game of the World Series.