Inside The Cubs

This Day in Cubs History: Chicago Completes a Trade for a Legend

The Chicago Cubs traded for Jimmy Schekard in 1905, a player who would help the Cubs go on to win back-to-back World Series.
Kade Kistner|
This Day in Cubs History: Chicago Completes a Trade for a Legend
This Day in Cubs History: Chicago Completes a Trade for a Legend

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Chicago Cubs

On Dec. 16, 1905, the Chicago Cubs completed a franchise-altering trade. The Cubs traded Buttons Briggs, Doc Casey, Billy Maloney, and Jack McCarthy to the Brooklyn Dodgers for outfielder Jimmy Schekard.

Schekard helped lead the Cubs to three World Series in as many years and was the leadoff hitter for the 1908 World Series champions. As soon as Schekard arrived in Chicago he immediately became the everyday left fielder and helped propel the franchise to its first taste of success.

Known for his offensive capability, Schekard did infamously go hitless in 21 at-bats in the 1906 World Series. The Cubs ended up losing that World Series to cross-town rivals the White Sox. However, he more than made up for it in subsequent years.

In 1911, Schekard led the league with 121 runs and 147 walks, a league record at the time, and to this day is still Chicago's team record.

Schekard has gone down in Cubs history as one of the greatest to ever don the uniform. While he did not make the Hall of Fame when first eligible, Schekard will next be eligible for the Hall of Fame via the Classic Baseball Era Committee in 2025.

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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