Cubs historical sleuthing: Catalina Island spring training

Flagstaff FilmsThe folks at Flagstaff Films have unearthed two great color films from Cubs spring training on Catalina Island in 1951.

These are significant for two reasons. First, 1951 was the Cubs’ final spring training at Catalina Island. In 1952, they began training at Rendezvous Park in Mesa, Arizona.

The second reason, I’ll point out after you take a look at the first film:

Spring Training with the @Cubs (Part 1 of 2), Catalina Island, 1951-this was the Cubs last yr on the Island, 22 miles off the coast of California. Johnny Vander Meer was cut by the Cubs before the season started.(from the Flagstaff Films baseball home movie archive) pic.twitter.com/IpB0QG8n28

— Flagstaff Films…