Here's a post for all of our history buffs.

The United States entered World War I in April of 1917. As the war continued on, the military was in need of men to serve their country.  In June of 1918, Provost Marshall General Crowder issued his "work or fight" order.  Below is a quote from the New York Times on the announcement.
"Instructions to draft boards were issued today by Provost Marshall General Crowder explaining and amplifying the work or fight order under which after July 1 all men of draft age, regardless of their classification must engage in employment held to be productive or join the army."

Baseball was not declared "productive" and as a result,  the government ordered that the baseball season be cut off on Labor Day, September 2, 1918.  Every major league team was greatly affected by the order as they all lost players to their required military service.  The Red Sox were completely overhauled by team executive Ed Barrow.  He filled up the depleted roster with guys from other teams but his biggest success was playing Babe Ruth in the outfield for the first time.  Babe responded by hitting .300 with 11 triples, 11 home runs and 66 RBI's.  The well managed Sox took over the AL lead and landed in the World Series.

The NL club that managed the work order best was the Cubs.  They were not as depleted as the defending NL champion NY Giants who ended up finishing 10.5 games behind the Cubs.

On September 5, 1918, the World Series started, one month earlier than it was scheduled to begin.  The Red Sox took game one in Chicago with Ruth on the mound, 1 - 0.  The Cubs won the second game at home but the Sox came back and got the victory in game three by a score of 3 - 1.   As the series headed to Boston for game four, there were rumblings that the players were not going to be paid their prize money for competing in the World Series.  The players from both teams threated to boycott the rest of the Series due to the potential non-payment.  Prior to game four at Fenway, the Mayor of Boston made a plea of patriotism to the players who gave in and finished the series.  The players compromise proposal was that the owners donate all proceeds to a war charity, which the owners never actually carried out.  They played game four, and with Ruth on the mound again Boston won 3 - 2.  The Cubs took game five and on September 11,  the Sox went on to win game six and the 1918 World Series.

As all baseball fans know, the 1918 World Series win would be the Red Sox last until 2004.  The 1918 World Series remains the only Series to be played entirely in September.

Cubs owner Charlie Weeghman and Manager Fred Mitchell

On this date, June 23, 1961 Ernie Banks would end his consecutive games played total at 717 games. He remains till this day on the list of top 15 players to hold a record for consecutive games played. (See list below from Baseball Almanac)

Ernie Banks played his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He started out his career on a high note becoming the Major League record holder for most consecutive games played after his debut, playing 424 consecutive games. This record would hold strong until 2005 when it was broken by Hideki Matsui who ended his streak at 518 games in 2006. Loved by fans at Wrigley Field, Mr. Cub became one of the first players to win back to back MVP awards in 1958 & 1959.

Check out the latest additions to the MLB Cooperstown Collection! Today we would like to feature the 1968 Chicago Cubs!

Lou Brock, best known for his base stealing ability, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on January 7, 1985.  During his 19 year baseball career, Brock played with the Chicago Cubs from 1961-64 and the St. Louis Cardinals from 1964-79.  In his rookie season, Brock became one of four players to hit a home run into the center field bleachers at the old Polo Grounds in New York since its 1923 reconstruction. In 1967, Brock became the first player to steal 50 bases and hit 20 home runs in the same season.

Brock held the record for career stolen bases (938) until it was broken by Rickey Henderson. Even though his stolen base record has been surpassed, the National League honors each stolen base leader with the Lou Brock award. He accumulated over 3,000 hits to help lead the St. Louis Cardinals to three National League pennants and two World Series championships. 

For our third and final giveaway of the day we are posting a Chicago Cubs Authentic Batting Practice Jacket. This jacket is a tailored piece and size large. Be the first to comment this post to win!