Chicago Cubs Baseball

Chicago Cubs baseball and history seem to walk hand in hand. For better or for worse.

Last season the Cubs were the opponent in two milestones - Tom Glavine’s 300th career victory and Sammy Sosa’s 600th home run. If we turn back the pages further still, we’ll find it was the Cubs on the field when Babe Ruth launched his famous “called shot” into Wrigley Field’s center field bleachers.

So it’s not surprising the Chicago Cubs have another date with history - even before the 2008 season has begun.

Yesterday it was announced the annual Hall of Fame Baseball Game will feature the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres. It also will be the last.

Citing heavy travel schedules associated with the major league regular season, Hall of Fame officials said the annual exhibition game will end after this year. It’s the last surviving in-season exhibition game in the major sports.

Ironically - or maybe not - the Cubs joined Boston in the inaugural affair in 1940. The Cubs won the game 10-9 despite two home runs by Hall of Famer Ted Williams.

This last Hall of Fame game also will be the last played at historic Doubleday Field.

The game is scheduled for June 16th.