August 15, 1908: Cubs lose, can't hit squat. Also, dealing with jerk animals.

The Cubs kicked off their home stand with a lackluster performance and a 3-1 loss to the visiting Phillies. Also, dealing with jerk animals.

OK ... I keep teasing this big Cubs winning streak that's about to happen, but clearly it doesn't start today. Actually, it doesn't start tomorrow either, but you're going to want to return tomorrow to see a very important pivot in the season.

Anyway, back to today (well ... "today" in 1908) where the Cubs barely made a peep on the afternoon and were easily defeated 3-1. Phillies pitcher Tully Sparks had the Cubs' number today, working his curve ball to scatter four hits while striking out three.

Mr. Preppy beat you today!

Cubs ace Mordecai Brown pitched OK, giving up only six hits, but a couple of them were particularly damaging, including a second inning triple by Fred Osborn who then scored on a throwing error on the play. Osborn also later walked and scored again in the seventh, and also managed to squash the Cubs lone rally on the day in the 6th with a nice defensive play.

The Cubs managed to get runners on first and third with two outs, and Johnny Evers hit a bloop fly ball to center field that looked like it was going to drop in for a single, until Osborn made a nice running catch to end the inning. In fact, Osborn had such a nice day for the Phillies, the Tribune referred to him as "the devil" and "Mephistopheles."

So I guess put one in the win column today for Satan as the Cubs fall 3-1.

Win one for Satan!

In other news, I guess I should at least note that there were MASSIVE race riots right now going on in Illinois in 1908, specifically in Springfield. That said, news like that is totally depressing and no fun, and that's not my cup of tea here at MakeAmerica1908Again.com ... so I ain't gonna talk about it!

Instead ... let's talk about jerk animals. Ever dealt with one?

What's a jerk animal, you ask? I'm referring to some kind of run-in you're had with a creature of the world who's just straight up being a jerk.

For example, I had a run-in with a very pissed off bird a couple weeks ago. You see, I had gotten lazy and hadn't closed my garage door for a few weeks, and Mr. Bird decided to take that as an invitation to take up residence in said garage.

So when I found his nest, I ... well ... tossed it. Evil I know, but it had to happen. I'm top of the food chain dammit!

Anyway, this bird was PISSED when he returned and found the garage door to his "home" shut, and he started yelling at me.

Bird: MEEP MEEP MEEP MEEP MEEP!

Me: Sorry Bird ... you don't live here any more. Find a new house!

Bird: MEEP MEEP MEEP MEEP MEEP!

And he just sat there, on my electrical wire, yelling at me. FOR AN HOUR.

If I could translate bird to English, I have to imagine his general statement was "You took my house you human a-hole! If I was bigger I would figure out a way to KILL YOU!!!"

Sadly for him, he ain't bigger. So I win this round. [Side note: I suppose you could actually say that's two wins for Satan today.]

I hate you!

Anyway ... this does have a tie-in to 1908 ... A meeting of the River Forest Women's Club was "ruined" on this day by a bunch of quacking ducks in a nearby pond. Following a round of complaints from the board of trustees, it's decided that the owner of the pond must remove the ducks immediately, in particular one "Noisy Pete" who is dubbed as the ringleader and "magnificent quacker."

So actually ... with the removal of the ducks, I guess that's actually three wins for Satan today. MWAHAHAHAHA!!!!

In summary ... the Cubs loss drops them to 58-44 on the season. Pittsburgh won again, so now the Cubs have faded all the way back to five and a half games behind the Pirates.

FYI ... Tune in tomorrow for rock bottom!