Introduction
The Chicago Cubs stand as one of baseball’s most storied and beloved franchises. Founded in 1870 and competing in Major League Baseball as a member of the National League Central Division, the Cubs have captivated generations of fans through triumphs, heartbreaks, and an unwavering spirit that defines Chicago’s North Side. This comprehensive guide explores the rich history, legendary players, and cultural impact of a team that has become synonymous with America’s pastime.
The Early Years: Building a Baseball Dynasty
The White Stockings Era (1876-1902)
The Chicago Cubs began their journey in 1870 as the Chicago White Stockings, playing their home games at West Side Grounds. When they joined the National League as a charter member in 1876, owner William Hulbert assembled a star-studded roster featuring:
- Albert Spalding: Legendary pitcher who won 47 games in the inaugural season
- Ross Barnes: League-leading hitter with a .429 batting average
- Cap Anson: Player-manager who became baseball’s first true superstar
The White Stockings dominated early baseball, winning the first National League pennant in 1876. Under Anson’s leadership, the team captured six National League pennants between 1876 and 1886, establishing themselves as the premier franchise of the era.
The Dead-Ball Era Dynasty (1902-1920)
In 1902, the franchise officially adopted the Cubs name, a reference to the youthful roster assembled by owner Albert Spalding. This period marked the beginning of one of baseball’s greatest dynasties.
The Legendary Infield
The Cubs’ infield trio of Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance became immortalized in Franklin P. Adams’ 1910 poem “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon.” Their double-play combination helped the Cubs dominate the National League.
Championship Success
Between 1906 and 1910, the Cubs achieved remarkable success:
- 1906: Won a record 116 games with a .763 winning percentage (still stands as the best in modern baseball history)
- 1907-1908: Back-to-back World Series championships
- First team to play in three consecutive World Series
- First team to win the championship twice
The pitching staff featured Hall of Famers Mordecai “Three-Finger” Brown, Jack Pfiester, and Orval Overall, creating an unstoppable force during baseball’s dead-ball era.
The Wrigley Years: Building a Legacy
The Double-Bills Era (1921-1945)
When Bill Wrigley acquired majority ownership in 1921, partnering with team president Bill Veeck Sr., the “Double-Bills” management team created sustained success through the late 1920s and 1930s.
The Every Three Years Dynasty
The Cubs achieved an unusual feat by winning pennants in:
- 1929
- 1932
- 1935
- 1938
Historic Moments:
1930: Hack Wilson set MLB’s runs-batted-in record of 191 (still stands today)
1932: Babe Ruth’s famous “called shot” at Wrigley Field
1935: Record 21-game September winning streak
1938: Gabby Hartnett’s “Homer in the Gloamin'”
The Curse of the Billy Goat (1945)
The Cubs’ last World Series appearance until 2016 came in 1945 when they lost to the Detroit Tigers. During Game 4, Billy Goat Tavern owner William Sianis was allegedly asked to leave because his pet goat’s odor was disturbing fans. Sianis reportedly declared, “Them Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more,” beginning the legendary curse that would haunt the franchise for 71 years.
The Wilderness Years: 1947-1983
Decades of Struggle:
From 1947 to 1966, the Cubs managed only one winning season, becoming known as “the Loveable Losers.” Poor management decisions plagued the franchise:
- The experimental “College of Coaches” system
- Trading future Hall of Famer Lou Brock for pitcher Ernie Broglio
- Inability to build around superstar Ernie Banks
The Heartbreak of 1969
The 1969 season represents one of baseball’s most famous collapses. Manager Leo Durocher’s Cubs built an 8.5-game lead by mid-August, featuring stars:
- Ernie Banks (“Mr. Cub”)
- Ron Santo
- Ferguson Jenkins
- Billy Williams
However, the team suffered a catastrophic collapse, losing 17.5 games in the standings to the “Miracle Mets” in the final quarter of the season. The Cubs finished 92-70 but watched the Mets win the World Series.
The June Swoon (1977-1979)
The late 1970s saw the Cubs repeatedly start strong before fading in the summer months, a pattern dubbed the “June Swoon.” This inconsistency was often attributed to the team’s unusual number of day games at Wrigley Field causing player fatigue.
The Tribune Years: Hope and Heartbreak
1984: Five Outs from the World Series:
The 1984 season brought renewed hope when GM Dallas Green assembled a competitive roster featuring:
- Ryne Sandberg: Won NL MVP award
- Rick Sutcliffe: Went 16-1 after joining the Cubs, won Cy Young Award
- Leon Durham
- Keith Moreland
The Cubs won 96 games and took a 2-0 lead over San Diego in the NLCS. Needing just one win in three games at San Diego, the Cubs were five outs from the World Series in Game 5 when Leon Durham’s error opened the floodgates to a Padres comeback. The Cubs lost 6-3, ending their magical season.
1989: Another October Disappointment
The Cubs returned to the playoffs in 1989 with a 93-69 record, led by:
- Ryne Sandberg
- Andre Dawson (1987 NL MVP)
- Rookies Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith
- Young pitcher Greg Maddux
Despite holding leads in multiple games, the Cubs were swept by San Francisco in the NLCS.
1998: The Home Run Chase
The 1998 season captured America’s attention as Sammy Sosa battled Mark McGwire in a historic home run race. Sosa finished with 66 home runs and won the NL MVP award, while rookie Kerry Wood struck out 20 batters in a single game.
The Cubs won the Wild Card in a one-game playoff against San Francisco but were swept by Atlanta in the NLDS.
2003: The Bartman Incident
The 2003 season represents the Cubs’ most heartbreaking near-miss. Leading the Florida Marlins 3-2 in the NLCS, the Cubs took a 3-0 lead into the eighth inning of Game 6 at Wrigley Field.
What Happened:
1. Fan Steve Bartman interfered with a foul ball
2. Shortstop Alex Gonzalez misplayed a potential double-play ball
3. Florida scored eight runs to win 8-3
4. The Cubs lost Game 7, ending their World Series hopes
The incident became a defining moment in Cubs lore and symbolized the franchise’s continued struggles.
The Ricketts Era: Breaking the Curse
The Rebuild (2009-2014)
When the Ricketts family purchased the Cubs in 2009, they embarked on an ambitious rebuilding plan:
Key Moves:
- Hired Theo Epstein as President of Baseball Operations (2011)
- Implemented sabermetric-based approach
- Traded veterans for prospects
- Invested in minor league system
Top Draft Picks:
- Kris Bryant (2013)
- Kyle Schwarber (2014)
- Albert Almora
- Javier Baez
The Championship Run (2015-2016)
2015: Building Momentum
Manager Joe Maddon led the Cubs to 97 wins and a Wild Card berth. Jake Arrieta threw a no-hitter and won the Cy Young Award. The Cubs defeated Pittsburgh in the Wild Card game and St. Louis in the NLDS before being swept by the Mets.
2016: Breaking the Curse
The 2016 season culminated in one of sports’ greatest stories:
Regular Season Achievements:
- 103 wins (most since 1910)
- Best record in Major League Baseball
- NL Central title by 17.5 games
- Kris Bryant won MVP award
- Second Jake Arrieta no-hitter
Postseason Magic
- Defeated San Francisco 3-1 in NLDS
- Beat Los Angeles 4-2 in NLCS (first NLCS win since 1969)
- Overcame 3-1 deficit against Cleveland in World Series
- Won Game 7 in extra innings, 8-7
The Drought Ends:
The 2016 World Series championship ended:
- 108-year World Series drought (longest in professional sports)
- 71-year National League pennant drought
An estimated 5 million people attended the victory parade in Chicago, one of the largest gatherings in American history.
The Modern Era (2017-Present)
Post-Championship Years (2017-2019)
The Cubs made three consecutive playoff appearances from 2015-2018 but couldn’t duplicate their championship success. Key moments included:
- 2017: Lost to Dodgers in NLCS
- 2018: Lost NL Central tiebreaker to Milwaukee, defeated by Colorado in Wild Card game
- 2019: Missed playoffs for first time since 2014
Transition Period (2020-Present)
Following Theo Epstein’s departure in 2020, the Cubs entered a new phase:
Major Changes:
- Traded Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javier Baez (2021)
- Hired Craig Counsell as manager (2023) with record $40 million contract
- Signed key free agents: Dansby Swanson, Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga
- Acquired star outfielder Kyle Tucker (2025)
Recent Performance:
- 2023: 83-79 record, missed playoffs
- 2024: 83-79 record, missed playoffs
- 2025: Opening season in Tokyo against Dodgers
Wrigley Field: The Friendly Confines
History and Features
Built in 1914 as Weeghman Park, Wrigley Field has been the Cubs’ home since 1916. The ballpark’s distinctive features include:
- Manual scoreboard
- Ivy-covered brick walls
- Relatively small dimensions
- Rooftop seating on surrounding buildings
The 1060 Project
In 2013, the Ricketts family unveiled a $575 million renovation plan including:
- 6,000-square-foot jumbotron
- Video board in right field
- Improved clubhouses and facilities
- Adjacent hotel and plaza development
Cultural Impact
Located in the Lake View neighborhood (Wrigleyville), the ballpark has become a cultural landmark featuring:
- The “W” flag tradition after wins
- “Bleacher Bums” fan section
- Historic seventh-inning stretch
- Unique neighborhood atmosphere
Legendary Cubs Players
Hall of Famers
The Cubs have produced numerous Hall of Fame players:
Position Players:
- Cap Anson – First player with 3,000 hits
- Ernie Banks – “Mr. Cub,” 512 home runs
- Ryne Sandberg – 10-time All-Star, 9 Gold Gloves
- Billy Williams – Sweet-swinging outfielder
- Ron Santo – Beloved third baseman and broadcaster
- Hack Wilson – 1930 RBI record holder
Pitchers:
- Ferguson Jenkins – Only Cubs pitcher with 3,000 strikeouts
- Greg Maddux – 4-time Cy Young winner
- Mordecai “Three-Finger” Brown – Dead-ball era ace
- Bruce Sutter – Hall of Fame closer
Retired Numbers
The Cubs have retired seven numbers:
- 10 Ron Santo
- 14 Ernie Banks
- 23 Ryne Sandberg
- 26 Billy Williams
- 31 Ferguson Jenkins and Greg Maddux (shared)
- 42 Jackie Robinson (MLB-wide)
Cubs Culture and Traditions
The Cubs Win Flag
Since 1937, a flag with either a “W” (white with blue W) or “L” (blue with white L) has flown from the scoreboard after games. The tradition has evolved into fans carrying “W” flags to games and displaying them throughout the city after victories.
Music and Songs
**”Go, Cubs, Go”** by Steve Goodman became the team’s anthem after 1984, played after every home victory.
**”Take Me Out to the Ball Game”** during the seventh-inning stretch became synonymous with broadcaster Harry Caray’s enthusiastic renditions.
Mascot
Clark the Cub, introduced in 2014, serves as the official mascot. Unofficial mascot Ronnie “Woo Woo” Wickers has been cheering at games for decades.
Broadcasting Legacy
Radio History
The Cubs maintained a 90-year relationship with WGN Radio before moving to WSCR in 2016. Pat Hughes has served as play-by-play announcer since 1996.
Television Evolution
From WGN-TV’s decades-long coverage to the creation of Marquee Sports Network in 2020, Cubs broadcasts have evolved significantly. Legendary broadcasters include:
- Harry Caray – Iconic seventh-inning stretch leader
- Jack Brickhouse – “Hey-Hey!”
- Len Kasper – Play-by-play (2005-2020)
- Current team: Jon Sciambi, Jim Deshaies
Rivalries
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals-Cubs rivalry is one of baseball’s oldest and most intense. Key facts:
- Cubs lead all-time series 1,253-1,196
- Cardinals have 19 NL pennants to Cubs’ 17
- Met in 2015 NLDS (Cubs won 3-1)
- Known as the “I-55 Series”
Milwaukee Brewers
The I-94 rivalry features geographic proximity and division competition. The teams met in a 2018 tiebreaker game for the NL Central title (Brewers won).
Chicago White Sox
The Crosstown Classic features the Cubs and White Sox battling for Chicago supremacy. The only postseason meeting occurred in the 1906 World Series (White Sox won 4-2).
Current Roster and Future Outlook
2025 Team Highlights
The Cubs enter 2025 with a revamped roster featuring:
Offensive Stars:
- Kyle Tucker – Acquired from Houston
- Shota Imanaga – Japanese pitching sensation
- Seiya Suzuki – All-Star outfielder
- Pete Crow-Armstrong – Rising prospect
Pitching Staff:
- Matthew Boyd
- Jameson Taillon
- Young arms like Ben Brown and Cade Horton
Organizational Philosophy
Under manager Craig Counsell and president Jed Hoyer, the Cubs aim to become a “perennial playoff team” through:
- Strategic free agent signings
- Player development
- Analytics-driven decisions
- Balanced roster construction
Conclusion
The Chicago Cubs represent more than baseball—they embody tradition, perseverance, and the enduring hope that defines sports fandom. From the dynasty of the early 1900s through the heartbreak of 1969, the Bartman incident, and finally the 2016 championship that ended 108 years of waiting, the Cubs’ story resonates across generations.
Today’s Cubs honor their rich history while building toward future success. Whether at the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field or following the team across the country, Cubs fans maintain the unwavering loyalty that makes this franchise one of baseball’s most beloved institutions.
As the Cubs continue their journey, one thing remains constant: the passion of Cubs fans who believe that next year—every year—could be the year. That’s the magic of being a Cubs fan, and it’s a tradition that will endure for generations to come.