Congratulations
to the Chicago Cubs on their World Series win! It’s been 108 years since the
Cubbies won the Series. The first time was in 1907 against the Detroit Tigers, and again in 1908 in a grudge match against Detroit. The Cubs were the only team to win back-to-back World Series games, and to have played in three consecutive series. |
| Cubs Practicing at West Baden |
It is interesting to note that from
1906 through 1911, the Cubs came annually to West Baden Springs Hotel for their
preseason conditioning and training regime, as did the National League's Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cub’s
manager/first basemen Frank Chance attributed his team’s well being, in part,
to the West Baden Springs water treatment. Chance felt the players derived
benefits from the Sprudel mineral water. Plus, they could practice on the ball
field surrounded by the two-story bicycle track – a rarity for its time.
 |
| Chicago Cubs |
Did
the mineral waters really help the players with their game back in 1907 - 08? If so, it was probably more
psychological than physiological. But it is interesting to note that the next
year, the Pittsburgh Pirates won the National League Pennant, and the World
Series.
And yes, the Pirates also came each spring to West Baden for conditioning
training, and to “take the waters.” Coincidence? No one thought so at the time.
By
Joy Neighbors