The Chicago Cubs are one of the oldest and Most historic franchises in professional sports. Founded in 1870 as the Chicago White Stockings and a charter member of the National League in 1876, the Cubs are the oldest continuously operating major professional sports franchise in North America that has remained in the same city throughout its existence. Every Home City the Cubs Have Claimed Unlike many franchises that relocated across the country, the Cubs have had only one home city: Years City 1870–Present Chicago The franchise has played continuously in Chicago for more than 155 years. Their ballparks changed several times, but the city never did. Home Ballparks Years Ballpark 1874–1877 23rd Street Grounds 1878–1884 Lake Front Park 1885–1890 West Side Park 1891–1893 South Side Park 1893–1915 West Side Grounds 1916–Present Wrigley Field Wrigley Field has been the Cubs’ home since 1916, meaning the team has played there for over 110 years. It is the second-oldest active Major League Baseball stadium, behind Fenway Park. Team Names Through History Years Name 1870–1889 Chicago White Stockings 1890–1897 Chicago Colts 1898–1902 Chicago Orphans 1903–Present Chicago Cubs The “Orphans” nickname appeared after legendary player-manager Cap Anson departed the club. Newspapers gradually began calling the young team the “Cubs,” and the name stuck. Cubs World Series Appearances The Cubs have appeared in 11 World Series. Year Opponent Result 1906 Chicago White Sox Lost 1907 Detroit Tigers Won 1908 Detroit Tigers Won 1910 Philadelphia Athletics Lost 1918 Boston Red Sox Lost 1929 Philadelphia Athletics Lost 1932 New York Yankees Lost 1935 Detroit Tigers Lost 1938 New York Yankees Lost 1945 Detroit Tigers Lost 2016 Cleveland Guardians Won World Series Championships The Cubs have won three World Series titles: 1907 1908 2016 The 2016 championship ended a 108-year title drought, the longest in major North American professional sports history. The 10 Greatest Cubs Players (These rankings are subjective, but most historians place these legends near the top). 1. Ernie Banks, “Mr. Cub.” Played 1953–1971. 2. Ryne Sandberg, One of the greatest second basemen ever. 3. Cap Anson, The franchise’s first superstar. 4. Fergie Jenkins, First Canadian Hall of Famer. 5. Ron Santo 6. Billy Williams 7. Sammy Sosa 8. Gabby Hartnett 9. Mordecai Brown 10. Kris Bryant Many historians would also include Anthony Rizzo, Greg Maddux, and Joe Tinker. 10 Future Stars the Cubs Let Get Away Several players became far bigger stars after leaving Chicago. Player Traded By Cubs Became Star With Lou Brock 1964 St. Louis Cardinals Greg Maddux Left as free agent Atlanta Braves Rafael Palmeiro Trade Texas Rangers Joe Carter Trade Cleveland Guardians Dennis Eckersley Trade Oakland Athletics Rafael Palmeiro Trade Texas Rangers Josh Donaldson Trade Oakland Athletics Kyle Schwarber Non-tendered Philadelphia Phillies Eloy Jimenez Trade Chicago White Sox Gleyber Torres Trade New York Yankees D.J. LeMahieu Trade Colorado Rockies The Lou Brock trade remains one of the most criticized deals in baseball history. Brock became a Hall of Famer and helped the Cardinals win multiple pennants and World Series titles. Interesting Cubs Facts The Cubs won 116 games in 1906, still tied for the most victories in a modern MLB season They were the first team to win consecutive World Series championships (1907–1908). Wrigley Field’s famous ivy was planted in 1937. The Cubs went 108 years between World Series titles (1908–2016). Their all-time record is above .500 despite many decades of frustration. No franchise in baseball has played more games than the Cubs. For more than a century and a half, the Cubs have remained a symbol of baseball tradition. From the White Stockings of the 1870s, to the powerhouse teams of Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance, to Ernie Banks’ “Let’s play two,” and finally the dramatic 2016 championship, the Cubs’ story is one of the richest and most enduring in American sports history. Artie Fischal Views: 0
