Today in 1908 - Cubs rally in the 9th, Tinker the hero again. Also, you can't do things just be

A 9th inning rally and a game-winning hit by Joe Tinker gives the Cubs a 5-4 win and a series split with the Giants. Also, "setting your mind to it" doesn't mean jack squat.

Cubs shortstop Joe Tinker is the hero again. A home run yesterday in the 1-0 win, and now the game winning two run hit in the bottom of the 9th today to give the Cubs a crucial 5-4 win over the Giants and salvaging a split in the series.

And here's a little bit of foreshadowing ... Joe Tinker is going to have a great second half. At least that's what I'm assuming since the National League batting average leaders were posted in today's Tribune and Tinker currently clocks in with a paltry .204 average. But considering his average at the end of the season is going to finish at .266, it doesn't take a genius to see that the next 300 at-bats are going to be a lot better than the first 300. I mean the dude DID make the Hall of Fame for a reason, so we're about to see some of those reasons in the coming months.

Here's a young Joe Tinker sporting a haircut I can best describe as "Batwings" ...

Really the only bad news for Tinker on this day is that his game-winning hit was hit so well that in any other inning it probably would've been another home run, thus netting him the bounty that goes along with a homer ... $25 suit, $5 check, hat, shoes, and of course the delicious jar of pig's knuckles. Poor Joe's gotta go hungry tonight! (Or he can just eat yesterday's pig's knuckles. Or just eat something that tastes way better than a jar of pig's knuckles.)

The 9th inning rally started with a Johnny Evers walk (walks'll kill ya!). Catcher Pat Moran then delivered a double over the third baseman's head to put runners on second and third and setting the scene for Tinker's heroics.

Considering the recent Cubs slide, this win was much-needed to close out the series before starting a four game set with the visiting Boston Doves tomorrow.

In other news, I hate the phrase "you can do anything you want if you set your mind to it." No ... no you cannot!!

Call me crazy, but I bet there have been plenty of Cubs players and fans in the last 108 years who have "set their mind" to the Cubs winning another World Series, and I think we all know how that has turned out.

Sure ... you need to "set your mind" to having focus and drive to TRY to achieve goals, but it isn't some sort of magical elixir that is going to guarantee success. I have two kids, and I hate when I hear other parents filling their children's brains with nonsense phrases like this one. How about telling them that hard work and determination are important, but so is learning from your failures and losses?

At this point I'm sure you're thinking, "Exactly how does this apply to 1908?"

Well on this day in 1908, something called The Chicago River Marathon took place. Basically a two mile swimming race down the Chicago river, ending with 100,000 onlookers gathered at Van Buren Street. (Marathons are another thing I totally don't understand, but I'll save that rant for another day.)

Well the oldest contestant, 55 year old Albert G. Freese "set his mind" to completing the course. Sadly for poor Al, cramping took over his body 80% of the way through the race and he unfortunately drowned.

And yeah ... this story is a little morbid, but it's a great example of my point ... Just because you WANT something, doesn't mean you're actually going to get it!

Sorry Al ...

OK, pep talk over!

In summary, the Cubs win puts them at 47-33 on the year. Pittsburgh also won, so the Cubs still trail by a game, but also take over second place since they beat the Giants. Four games against the Boston Doves starts tomorrow.

#cubswin #chicagocubs #rally #defense #badadvice