These are the saddest of possible words:
“Tinker to Evers to Chance.”
Trio of bear cubs, and fleeter than birds,
Tinker and Evers and Chance.
Ruthlessly pricking our gonfalon bubble,
Making a Giant hit into a double —
Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:
“Tinker to Evers to Chance.”

Written in 1910 by Franklin Pierce Adams, “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon” is more commonly referred to as Tinker to Evers to Chance. Adams composed the poem on his way to see his beloved New York Giants play the Chicago Cubs.

Joe Tinker (1907) was the shortstop for the National League’s Chicago Cubs.

SDN-053535, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society.

This picture was taken at the West Side Grounds, located across the street from where Cook County Hospital now stands.

Cards: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Call number: LOT 13163-25, no. 41 (Tinker). LC-USZC4-5772.

Johnny Evers was the Cubbies’ second baseman.

SDN-053122, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society.

Cards: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Call number: LOT 13163-25, no. 26 (Evers). LC-USZC4-5772.

Keystone sack? Wizard order? Too funny.

Frank Chance, the first baseman, was the third member of baseball’s most famous double play combo. The three were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame together in 1946.

SDN-054764, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society.

In addition to playing first base, Chance managed the Cubs teams that won the World Series.

SDN-056427, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society.

The catching stance has obviously evolved over the years.

Cards: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Call number: LOT 13163-25, no. 25 (Chance). LC-USZC4-5772.

Tinker, Evers, and Chance won the World Series with the Cubs in 1907 and 1908 and the National League pennant in 1910. Through the years, the Cubs failure to win the World Series ever again has been blamed on curses and a Billy Goat.

Little mention is made of this photo of Frank Chance cavorting with the Devil. Hmmm……

DN-0051624, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society.