Today in 1908 - Cubs win in 11, more Olympic controversy, and a legendary drunk.

A 9th inning rally helps lead the Cubs to a 2-1 victory over Brooklyn in the 11th inning. Also, more controversy at the Olympics, and a really impressive drunk.

As you will learn as the 1908 season rolls on ... every single victory ends up mattering. This one was obviously no less important, but the win also came in dramatic fashion, courtesy of Del Howard, who managed to tie the game up 1-1 with two outs in the 9th.

Frank Chance led off the inning with a single, and he was then sacrificed to second by Johnny Evers. Harry Steinfeldt then flied to center for the second out of the inning, putting the Dodgers one out away from victory.

Enter reserve outfielder Del Howard, starting today in place of the ill Frank Schulte. Howard then manages to put together one of the more impressive at bats of the Cubs season. After working the count full, Howard then fouled off five straight pitches from Dodgers pitcher Kaiser Wilhelm, who had pitched masterfully for 26 outs.

OK ... before I go any further. I know what you're thinking ... Kaiser Wilhelm?

Not THIS Kaiser Wilhelm, the last German emperor and King of Prussia, who ruled from 1888-1918 and was one of the big reasons Germany got their butts kicked in World War I ...

I have a pointy hat

It was THIS Kaiser Wilhelm, who was actually named Irvin Key Wilhelm and played Major League Baseball from 1903-1921 ...

I'm the other Kaiser Wilhelm

By the way ... that nickname had to have been REALLY awkward after WWI was over. It's sort of like being named "Hitler Jones" after WWII. Something tells me that one wouldn't go over very well either.

Anyway, back to the game ... On the 11th pitch of the at-bat, Howard laced a ball down the first base line and Chance sprinted toward the plate. Right fielder Harry Lumley had a shot to nail Chance at the plate, but ended up bobbling the ball and Chance scored easily.

In the top of the 11th inning, Johnny Evers led off with a single. Harry Steinfeldt then sacrificed him to second. Del Howard stepped back up again, but couldn't muster any heroics for a second time and grounded out to first. I'm sure if you asked Howard, he would've told you he was just saving the big hit for Joe Tinker, who came up with two outs and laced a base hit over the first baseman's head that scored Evers easily.

Ed Reulbach, who came on relief, shut the door on the Dodgers in the 11th and the Cubs took home a huge 2-1 win.

In other news, yet another Olympic controversy took place on this day, this time in the marathon (here's yesterday's). [Side note: I do not understand the desire to run a marathon at all. It sounds like a thoroughly miserable experience. More power to you if you do it, but I refuse to run a race that got it's name from an event in history where the guy DIED at the end of his run. No thanks!]

In the 1908 Olympic marathon, Italian runner Dorando Pietri was the first to enter the stadium and approach the finish line. Not surprisingly, Dorando was exhausted and ended up collapsing a couple times. After the second time, he got back up and started running in the wrong direction.

At that point, two Olympic officials came on the track, turned him around, and helped him toward the finish line. Not surprisingly, American second place finisher Johnny Hayes, didn't take to kindly to the extra help and protested the result. Olympic officials agreed and disqualified Pietri and gave first place to Hayes.

I will say this ... I feel bad for poor Dorando. Here's why ...

Before 1908, the marathon used to be 25 miles, but for this Olympics they decided to make it the current (and now standard) 26 miles and 385 yards. They did this because British Princess Mary requested that the race begin beneath the windows of the Royal Nursery so she could see it.

So imagine running 25 grueling miles, only to find out you then gotta run one more because some rich lady wanted to see you without leaving her window. No wonder Dorando collapsed ... that last mile was probably pure hell!

Ummm ... what is he grabbing?

Finally ... Just a quick shoutout to Robert Field of Evanston, Illinois for being one impressive drunk. On this day in 1908, 67 year old Robert got arrested for public drunkenness for the 100th time in his life. Way to go Robert! (Kids, don't be like Robert.)

In summary ... the Cubs win put them at 49-35 on the year. The Giants beat the Pirates on this day, so the Cubs remained in third place, but now only trailed Pittsburgh by a game and a half. Game two of the four game series with Brooklyn is tomorrow.

#rally #cubswin #kaiserwilhelm #drunk