October 13, 1908: The Three-Fingered Hand That Rocks the Cradle. Cubs one win from a World Series ch

Chicago Cubs ace pitcher and future Hall of Famer, Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown was the star of the day, shutting out the Tigers 3-0 and putting the Cubs one win away from the 1908 World Series crown. This should come as a surprise to absolutely no one, because Brownie has been carrying this team for the past three weeks. If you've been following along with this blog you know this already, but if you're new today then I'll just say ... Hi! Where ya been?

But yeah ... this will now be the Miner's 14th appearance in the Cubs' last 19 games, so I think you get the point that he's been pretty freakin' pivotal to their success. It's also pretty obvious that his elbow is going to hurt like hell all winter, but we just care about TODAY around here!

Chicago Tribune, Oct. 14, 1908

Today's win was a crushing blow to the Tigers, who had managed to pick up a bit of momentum with yesterday's win, but are now staring at a dubious 3-1 hole in the series with their backs to the wall in an elimination game tomorrow.

And talk about dispatching the momentum quickly ... Brown scattered four hits in the game while adding four strikeouts and no walks, and did it all in an hour and 35 minutes. That's it. The entire game. So in the time it took you to watch Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Mordecai Brown crushed soul of the Detroit Tigers. Pow!

Stay classy Chicago!

On offense, the Cubs got all the support they needed in the third inning with a two out rally that started with a walk to right fielder Frank Schulte. Schulte then stole second and first baseman Frank Chance drew another walk. Third baseman Harry Steinfeldt then made those walks hurt with a single to left that scored Schulte. Solly Hofman then piled on with another single down the left field line to score Chance, giving the Cubs a 2-0 lead.

They added another insurance run in the 9th, but Brown was on autopilot by then and finished off the final frame with ease for the 3-0 victory.

I'm guessing this is worth more than 10 cents now

The two teams immediately turn around tomorrow for game five, with the Cubs now one win away from winning back to back World Series championships. Orval Overall (aka "Big Jeff") will take to hill for the Cubs, while the Tigers lay their hopes onto the back of their ace Wild Bill Donovan.

(Spoiler alert: Make sure you come back tomorrow when history is made!!!)