Today in 1908 - Cubs win 2 to reclaim 1st place and the 4th of July is scary

The Cubs rode their dominant pitching to a doubleheader sweep of the Pirates, vaulting them back into first place. Also, 4th of July fireworks are bad, kids!

A huge pair of victories for the Cubs today, riding the dominant pitching of Mordecai Brown and Ed Reulbach in a doubleheader sweep that also put the Cubs back in first place.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, future Hall of Fame pitcher Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown is a freakin' BEAST! In game one he fires a a two hit shoutout, adds in four strikeouts AND goes 3-4 at the plate as the Cubs win 2-0. Oh ... and I should go ahead and mention that he did this on ONE DAYS rest. One!!!

Not only that, but he also rocked this badass haircut ...

Fellow rubber arm teammate Ed Reulbach wasn't quite as dominant in game two, but still went the distance in a 9-3 Cubs victory. It's probably because that wimp got two whole days rest from his last complete game. Softie!

In game two, the Cubs exploded for five runs in the first and never looked back. Solly Hofman went 3-5 with a pair of doubles, and manager Frank Chance went 2-5 with a double and three runs scored.

Worth noting that the Cubs pulled off these wins without two of their best players with Johnny Evers and Joe Kling both missing this game. Jimmy Slagle had to leave the second game with a leg injury, so the Cubs continue to be banged up (or as the Tribune so eloquently put it "the cripple list continues to grow").

In other news, you know what the 4th of July meant in 1908? Tons of death and injuries! Yay!! The Tribune reported 56 dead across the country, plus another 1,899 injured in various fireworks mishaps and explosions. Chicago alone had 12 of those deaths, most of any city in the country. 'Murica!!!

Kinda makes you wanna stay home, doesn't it? Everybody be safe out there today in 2016 Land!

In conclusion, the two Cubs victories takes them to 41-25 on the year and also gives them a half game lead over the Pirates. The Cubs travel home today to oddly host Pittsburg for one more game before welcoming the Brooklyn Superbas to town for a three game series. By the way ... this is part of a massive EIGHTEEN GAME home stand for the Cubbies. I guess they're finally getting their karma payback for that craptastic road trip from a couple weeks ago!