You Probably Did Not Know - Baseball Edition

I recently procured Ken Burns' 10 volume documentary on Baseball. It is so good that my wife even enjoys it. I have only got through the 1940's but have learned some fascinating baseball history. Here is a list of "You Should Know's" followed by some "You Probably Did Not Know."

You Probably Did Know - 1. Connie Mack was one of the greatest managers of all time, managing in 7,755 games, and was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.
You Probably Did Not Know - 1. His real name is Cornelius McGillicuddy

You Probably Did Know - The Chicago Cubs last won the World Series in 1908.
You Probably Did Not Know - The only reason they even made it to the World Series that year was what was affectionately referred to as "The Merkle Boner." Fred Merkle of the New York Giants was at the plate in the bottom of the ninth with 2 runners on base. He got a hit which scored the runs and the Giants apparently won the game and the National League pennant. The Cubs infielders noticed, however, that Merkle, because of the pandemonium, forgot to touch 1st base. The Cubs players had to chase down the ball in the stands, which they finally did. The Cubs petitioned the powers that be that they legally won that game. Two days later the decision came that the game was to be replayed. It was - and the Cubs beat the Giants, and then went on to win the Series. Had the Merkle Boner never have happened, this would be the Cubs 104th consecutive year of futility, instead of their 103rd - the Cubs also won the Series in 1907.

You Probably Did Know - Joe Dimaggio hit safely in 56 consecutive games in 1941 - a record which many believe will never be broken.
You Probably Did Not Know - The day after his streak was broken, he started another streak which lasted for 16 games. Dimaggio hit safely in 72 out of 73 games. Even so, he lost the American League batting title that year by a whopping 49 points!
You Also Probably Did Not Know - Joltin' Joe only struck out 13 times that season. To put it into perspective, Joey Votto, last year's National League MVP, struck out 125 times.

You Probably Did Know - Jackie Robinson was the first black player to play in the Major Leagues on April 15, 1947.
You Probably Did Not Know - Robinson, years before he played for the Dodgers, when he was in the US Army, was told by the Army bus driver that he needed to sit in the back of the bus. Robinson refused. He was court marshaled for his protest. He won the trial.