The Franchise
The Chicago Cubs are one of the oldest and most recognizable franchises in professional baseball. Founded in 1876 as a charter member of the National League, the Cubs have played through nearly 150 years of baseball history — from the dead-ball era through two World Series titles in the modern game.
For most of the 20th century, the Cubs were defined as much by their futility as their greatness. The 108-year championship drought between 1908 and 2016 became the most famous losing streak in American sports. But that narrative was always somewhat unfair to the teams and players who wore the uniform with pride — including some of the best players in the game's history.
Wrigley Field
There is no place in baseball like Wrigley Field. Built in 1914, it is the second-oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, sitting in the Wrigleyville neighborhood on Chicago's North Side. The ivy-covered outfield walls, the hand-operated scoreboard, the rooftop bleachers across the street, and the W flag flying after every win are all part of a baseball experience that cannot be replicated.
Wrigley did not install lights until 1988, meaning the Cubs played all home games during the day for over 70 years. That quirk shaped the identity of the franchise and gave birth to the term "beautiful losers" — there was something romantic about losing in the afternoon sunshine at Clark and Addison.
All-Time Greats
The Cubs have produced some of the most accomplished players in baseball history. A short list of the franchise's all-time legends:
- Ryne Sandberg — 10× All-Star, 9× Gold Glove, 1984 NL MVP, Hall of Fame 2005
- Ernie Banks — "Mr. Cub." Two-time NL MVP, 512 career home runs, Hall of Fame 1977
- Ron Santo — Five-time Gold Glove third baseman, 342 career home runs, Hall of Fame 2012
- Billy Williams — Hall of Fame outfielder, 426 career home runs, six-time All-Star
- Fergie Jenkins — Hall of Fame pitcher, 284 career wins, 1971 NL Cy Young Award
- Sammy Sosa — 609 career home runs, 1998 NL MVP, six-time All-Star
- Greg Maddux — Four consecutive Cy Young Awards, 355 career wins, Hall of Fame 2014
- Anthony Rizzo — Three-time All-Star, key piece of the 2016 championship core
- Kris Bryant — 2016 NL MVP, 2016 World Series champion
- Jake Arrieta — 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner, 2016 World Series champion
The 2016 World Series
On November 2, 2016, the Chicago Cubs ended the longest championship drought in American professional sports. Down three games to one against the Cleveland Indians, the Cubs won three straight games including a classic Game 7 that went to extra innings before Chicago pulled away 8-7.
The team was built around a young core assembled by president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and manager Joe Maddon. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Willson Contreras, and Kyle Schwarber formed the nucleus of a lineup that was built for the long run. Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, and Kyle Hendricks anchored a rotation that was among the best in baseball.
When Bryant fielded the final grounder and threw to Rizzo at first base, 108 years of history dissolved in an instant. The W flag flew over Wrigley for the biggest win in franchise history.