For current information on this topic, see 2008 Chicago Cubs season

Chicago Cubs Established 1876
Team Logo Cap Insignia
Major league affiliations
National League (1876–present) Central Division (1994–present)
Current uniform
Retired Numbers	10, 14, 23, 26, 42
Name
Chicago Cubs (1902–present)
Chicago Orphans (1898-1901) Chicago Colts (1890-1897) Chicago White Stockings (1870-1871, 1874-1889) (a. The Chicago Cubs ' 2008 season was the 136th season for the Chicago Cubs Champions National League: Chicago White Stockings Major League Baseball final standings Statistical The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball Champions National League: Chicago White Stockings Major League Baseball final standings Statistical The National League Central Division is one of Major League Baseball 's six divisions Headline events of the year As a result of a players' strike the MLB season ends prematurely on August 11, 1994. Ronald Edward Santo (born February 25 1940 in Seattle Washington) is a former Third baseman in Major League Baseball who played almost Ernest "Ernie" Banks (born January 31, 1931 in Dallas Texas) is an American former Major League Baseball player Ryne Dee Sandberg (born September 18 1959 in Spokane Washington) nicknamed "Ryno" is a former Second baseman in Major League Baseball who Billy Leo Williams (born June 15, 1938) is a former Outfielder in Professional baseball. Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson (January 31 1919 – October 24 1972 was a Baseball player for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Champions Major League Baseball American League: Philadelphia Athletics National League: Pittsburgh Pirates Champions National League: Boston Beaneaters National League final standings Events Champions Major League Baseball American League: Chicago White Stockings National League: Pittsburgh Pirates Champions World Series: Brooklyn Bridegrooms 3 Louisville Colonels 3 1 tie National League: Brooklyn Bridegrooms Champions Temple Cup: Baltimore Orioles defeated Boston Beaneaters, 4 games to 1 National League: Boston Beaneaters Champions National Association of Base Ball Players: Chicago White Stockings, albeit disputed by Mutual of New York Champions National Association (professional Philadelphia Athletics National Association of Amateur Base Ball Players Star of Brooklyn Champions National Association: Boston Red Stockings National Association final standings Statistical leaders Champions World Series: New York Giants 6 Brooklyn Bridegrooms 3 National League: New York Giants k. a. Remnants 1898-1901)
Other nicknames
The Cubbies, The North Siders
Ballpark
Wrigley Field (1916–present) a. Champions National League: Boston Beaneaters National League final standings Events Champions Major League Baseball American League: Chicago White Stockings National League: Pittsburgh Pirates Wrigley Field is a Baseball Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Champions World Series: Boston Red Sox over Brooklyn Robins (4-1 Awards and honors k. a. Cubs Park (1920-1926) a. Champions World Series: Cleveland Indians over Brooklyn Robins (5-2 Awards and honors Champions World Series: St Louis Cardinals over New York Yankees (4-3 Negro League World Series: Chicago k. a. Weeghman Park (1916-1920) West Side Park (II) (1893-1915) South Side Park (1891-1893) West Side Park (I) (1885-1891) Lakefront Park (II) (1883-1884) Lakefront Park (I) (1878-1882) 23rd Street Grounds (1874-1877) Union Base-Ball Grounds (1870-1871)
Major league titles
World Series titles (2)	1908 • 1907
NL Pennants (16)	1945 • 1938 • 1935 • 1932 1929 • 1918 • 1910 • 1908 1907 • 1906 • 1886 • 1885 1882 • 1881 • 1880 • 1876
Central Division titles (2)	2007 • 2003
East Division titles (2)	1989 • 1984
Wild card berths (1)	1998
Owner(s): Tribune Company (Sam Zell)
Manager: Lou Piniella
General Manager: Jim Hendry

The Chicago Cubs are a baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. Champions World Series: Boston Red Sox over Brooklyn Robins (4-1 Awards and honors Champions World Series: Cleveland Indians over Brooklyn Robins (5-2 Awards and honors West Side Park was the name used for two different Baseball parks that formerly stood in Chicago Illinois. Champions National League: Boston Beaneaters National League final standings Events Champions World Series: Boston Red Sox over Philadelphia Phillies (4-1 Awards and honors South Side Park was the name used for three different Baseball parks that formerly stood in Chicago Illinois at different times and whose sites were all just a few blocks Champions National League: Boston Beaneaters American Association: Boston Reds Major League Champions National League: Boston Beaneaters National League final standings Events West Side Park was the name used for two different Baseball parks that formerly stood in Chicago Illinois. Champions Post-season playoff Chicago White Stockings played St Champions National League: Boston Beaneaters American Association: Boston Reds Major League Union Base-Ball Grounds was a Baseball park located in Chicago Illinois. Champions National League: Boston Beaneaters American Association: Philadelphia Athletics Inter-State Champions First World's Championship Series: Providence Grays over New York Metropolitans (3-0 National League Union Base-Ball Grounds was a Baseball park located in Chicago Illinois. Champions National League: Boston Red Caps International Association Buffalo Bisons Pacific Coast Athletics Champions NOTE Chicago White Stockings played the Cincinnati Red Stockings in a 2-game post-season series 23rd Street Grounds, also known as State Street Grounds and 23rd Street Park, and sometimes spelled out as Twenty-third Street Grounds, was a Champions National Association: Boston Red Stockings National Association final standings Statistical leaders Champions National League: Boston Red Caps International Association London‚ Ontario‚ Canada Tecumsehs League Union Base-Ball Grounds was a Baseball park located in Chicago Illinois. Champions National Association of Base Ball Players: Chicago White Stockings, albeit disputed by Mutual of New York Champions National Association (professional Philadelphia Athletics National Association of Amateur Base Ball Players Star of Brooklyn The 1908 World Series matched the defending champion Chicago Cubs against the Detroit Tigers in a rematch of the 1907 Series. The 1907 World Series featured the Chicago Cubs and the Detroit Tigers, with the Cubs winning the Series four games to none (with one tie for their first championship The Tribune Company is a large American Multimedia Corporation based in Chicago Illinois. Samuel "Sam" Zell (born September 1941) is a US-born Billionaire and Real estate Entrepreneur. Louis Victor Piniella (pɨˈnɛlə born August 28, 1943, in Tampa Florida, United States) is the current manager of the Chicago For the British professional cyclist see Jim Hendry (cyclist Jim Hendry (born July 27, 1955, Dunedin, Florida Baseball is a Bat-and-ball Sport played between two teams of nine players each Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. The Cubs are members and defending champions of the Central Division of Major League Baseball’s National League. The Chicago Cubs ' 2007 season began with the Cubs trying to rebound after a season in which they finished last in their division for the first time since. The National League Central Division is one of Major League Baseball 's six divisions The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball The club has played its home games at historic Wrigley Field since 1916. Wrigley Field is a Baseball Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago The Cubs are one of two Major League clubs in Chicago, the other being the Chicago White Sox, and are one of the only two remaining charter members left in the NL, the other being the Atlanta Braves. The Chicago White Sox are a professional Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs have a strong, ongoing rivalry with the St. Louis Cardinals. The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St The franchise, counting from its National League inaugural in 1876, won its 10,000th game on April 23, 2008, an MLB record for a team in a single city. Year 1876 ( MDCCCLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common

The Cubs are often referred to by fans and media as The North Siders, since Wrigley is in Chicago's north side Lakeview community, or simply as The Cubbies. Lake View — or Lakeview, as it is increasingly spelled — is a North Side Neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States

The Cubs are currently managed by Lou Piniella, and their general manager is Jim Hendry. Louis Victor Piniella (pɨˈnɛlə born August 28, 1943, in Tampa Florida, United States) is the current manager of the Chicago General Manager or GM for short is a descriptive term for certain executives in a Business operation For the British professional cyclist see Jim Hendry (cyclist Jim Hendry (born July 27, 1955, Dunedin, Florida In December 2007, Sam Zell completed his purchase of the club's parent company, Tribune Company, and announced his intention to sell the team. Samuel "Sam" Zell (born September 1941) is a US-born Billionaire and Real estate Entrepreneur. The Tribune Company is a large American Multimedia Corporation based in Chicago Illinois. ^[1]

Early franchise history

Main article: History of the Chicago Cubs

Golden years - a Cub dynasty

The 1906 Cubs won a record 116 games in a 154 game season. The club then won back to back World Series titles in 1907-08

Joe Tinker (shortstop), Johnny Evers (second baseman), and Frank Chance (first baseman) were three Cubs infielders who played together at Chicago's West Side Park from 1903 to 1912. Joseph Bert Tinker ( July 27, 1880 - July 27, 1948) was a Major League Baseball player and manager. Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and Third base. John Joseph Evers ( July 21, 1881 – March 28, 1947) was a Major League Baseball player and manager. Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a Baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that Frank Leroy Chance ( September 9, 1877 &ndash September 15, 1924) was a Major League Baseball player at the turn of the 20th First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a Baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run Baseball teams take turns one "out" in the field and one "in" at bat West Side Park was the name used for two different Baseball parks that formerly stood in Chicago Illinois. They were made famous as a double-play combination by Franklin P. Adams' poem Baseball's Sad Lexicon, which first appeared in the July 18, 1910, edition of the New York Evening Mail. Franklin Pierce Adams ( November 15, 1881, Chicago Illinois – March 23, 1960, New York City New York) was an American " Baseball's Sad Lexicon " also known as Tinker to Evers to Chance after its refrain is a 1910 Baseball poem by Franklin Pierce Adams Events 390 BC - Roman - Gaulish Wars Battle of the Allia - a Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, Year 1910 ( MCMX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting The New York Evening Mail was an American daily Newspaper published in New York City. Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown, Jack Taylor, Ed Reulbach, Jack Pfiester and Orval Overall were several key pitchers for the Cubs during this time period. Mordecai Peter Centennial Brown ( October 19 1876 &ndash February 14 1948) nicknamed "Three Finger" or "Miner" was an John W "Jack" Taylor ( January 14 1874 &ndash March 4 1938) was an award-winning right-handed Pitcher in Major Edward Marvin "Big Ed" Reulbach ( December 1, 1882 &ndash July 17, 1961) was a Major league baseball pitcher for the John (Jack Albert Pfiester (born May 24, 1878 in Cincinnati, Ohio &ndash September 3, 1953) is a former professional Orval Overall ( February 2 1881 - July 14 1947) was an American right-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball With Chance as player-manager, the Cubs won four pennants and two World Series titles over a five-year span. Although they fell to the White Sox in the 1906 World Series, The Cubs recorded a record 116 victories and the best winning percentage (. The 1906 World Series featured a crosstown matchup between the Chicago Cubs, who had posted the highest regular-season win total (116 and winning percentage Listed below are the Major League Baseball teams with the best season won-lost records in history as determined by winning percentage ( 763) of the modern era. With this roster, Chicago won back to back World Series championships in 1907 and 1908. The 1907 World Series featured the Chicago Cubs and the Detroit Tigers, with the Cubs winning the Series four games to none (with one tie for their first championship The 1908 World Series matched the defending champion Chicago Cubs against the Detroit Tigers in a rematch of the 1907 Series. Veteran catcher Johnny Kling sat out the 1909 season to become a pocket billiards player. John Kling ( February 25, 1875 in Kansas City Missouri - January 31, 1947 in Kansas City was a Catcher in Major Pocket billiards, most commonly referred to as pool, is the general term for a family of games played on a specific class of Billiards table, having 6 receptacles He was replaced by Jimmy Archer. James Patrick Archer ( May 13 1883 &ndash March 29 1958) was an Irish -born Catcher in Major League Baseball Some historians think Kling's absence was significant enough to prevent the Cubs from also winning the pennant in 1909. They finished 6 games out of first place. ^[2] When Kling returned the next year, the Cubs won the pennant again, but lost to the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1910 World Series. The 1910 World Series featured the Philadelphia Athletics and the Chicago Cubs, with the Athletics winning in five games to earn their first championship

Every three years

Main article: History of the Chicago Cubs

Hack Wilson hit . 356 with 56 homers & 191 RBI in 1930.

With owner William Wrigley's money and William Veeck's front-office savvy, the Cubs were soon back in business in the National League, having built a team that would be strong contenders for the next decade. William Wrigley may refer to William Wrigley Sr, soap manufacturer William Veeck Sr was a sports writer and baseball executive He was president of Chicago Cubs from 1919 to his death in October 1933 Hack Wilson, Gabby Hartnett, Rogers Hornsby, and many other stars donned Cub uniforms during this period, and they achieved the unusual accomplishment of winning a pennant every three years - 1929, 1932, 1935 and 1938. Lewis Robert "Hack" Wilson ( April 26, 1900 – November 23, 1948) was an American Center fielder in Major Charles Leo "Gabby" Hartnett ( December 20, 1900 - December 20, 1972) was an National Major League Baseball Rogers Hornsby ( April 27, 1896 in Winters Texas - January 5, 1963 in Chicago Illinois) nicknamed "The Rajah" In the 1929 World Series, the Philadelphia Athletics beat the Chicago Cubs in 5 games The 1932 World Series was played between the New York Yankees ( American League) and the Chicago Cubs ( National League) with the Yankees The 1935 World Series featured the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs, with the Tigers winning in six games for their first championship in five Series appearances The 1938 World Series matched the two-time defending champion New York Yankees against the Chicago Cubs, with the Yankees sweeping the Series in four games for Unfortunately, their success did not extend to the post-season, as they fell to their AL rivals each time. The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League ( AL) is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in The '32 series featured Babe Ruth's "called shot. Babe Ruth's called shot was the Home run hit by Babe Ruth in the fifth Inning of Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, held on 1 October " There were some historic moments for the Cubs as well - they won the '35 pennant in thrilling fashion, winning a record 21 games in a row in September. The '38 club saw Dizzy Dean lead the team's pitching staff and provided a historic moment when they won a late-season game with a "walk-off" homer by Gabby Hartnett, which became known in baseball lore as "The Homer in the Gloamin'". Jerome Hanna "Dizzy" Dean ( January 16, 1910 – July 17, 1974) was an American Pitcher in Major League Baseball The Homer in the Gloamin' is one of the most famous Walk-off home runs in baseball Lore. ^[3] By 1939, the "double-Bills" (Wrigley and Veeck) had both died, and the front office, now under P.K. Wrigley, found itself unable to rekindle the kind of success that P. Philip Knight Wrigley ( December 5 1894 - April 12 1977) sometimes also called P K. 's father had created, and so the team slipped into a few years of mediocrity.

The Curse

Main article: The Curse of the Billy Goat

Main article: Chicago Cubs futility theories

The Cubs enjoyed one more pennant at the close of World War II. The Curse of the Billy Goat refers to a Superstition that is commonly cited in explaining why the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball team has not won the The Chicago Cubs have the longest dry spell between championships in all of the four major U World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Due to the wartime travel restrictions, the first three games were played in Detroit, where the Cubs won two games, including a one-hitter by Claude Passeau, and the final four were played at Wrigley. Claude William Passeau ( April 9 1909 - August 30 2003) was an American Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball In game 4 of the 1945 World Series, the Curse of the Billy Goat was allegedly laid upon the Cubs when P. The 1945 World Series matched the American League Detroit Tigers against the National League Chicago Cubs. The Curse of the Billy Goat refers to a Superstition that is commonly cited in explaining why the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball team has not won the K. Wrigley ejected Billy Sianis, who had come to game 4 with two box seat tickets, one for him and one for his goat. William Sianis (c 1900 - October 22, 1970) better known as Billy Sianis ( Greek:Σιανις was a Chicago Illinois They paraded around for a few innings, but Wrigley demanded the goat leave the park due to its unpleasant odor. Upon his ejection, Mr. Sianis uttered, "the Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more. " The Cubs lost game 4, lost the 1945 World Series, and have not been back since. The 1945 World Series matched the American League Detroit Tigers against the National League Chicago Cubs. It has also been said by many that Sianis put a "curse" on the Cubs, apparently preventing the team from making it back to (but not actually winning) the World Series. After losing the 1945 World Series, the Cubs finished with winning seasons the next two years, but those teams did not enter post-season play.

Recent history

Main article: History of the Chicago Cubs

1984 heartbreak

Main article: 1984 Chicago Cubs season

After more than a dozen more subpar seasons, the 1984 Cubs made a midseason deal to acquire ace pitcher Rick Sutcliffe from Cleveland, who joined Scott Sanderson, Ron Cey and NL MVP Ryne Sandberg on a squad that ultimately tallied an NL best 96 victories, winning the NL East. The Chicago Cubs ' 1984 season was the 109th season for the Cubs Richard Lee Sutcliffe (born June 21, 1956 in Independence Missouri) is a former Major League Baseball starting Pitcher and current Scott Douglas Sanderson (born July 22, 1956 in Dearborn Michigan) is a former Major League Baseball Pitcher who played for seven Ronald Charles (Ron Cey (seɪ born February 15, 1948 in Tacoma, Washington) is a former Third baseman in Major League Baseball Ryne Dee Sandberg (born September 18 1959 in Spokane Washington) nicknamed "Ryno" is a former Second baseman in Major League Baseball who In the NLCS the Cubbies won the first two games at Wrigley Field against the San Diego Padres. The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego California since their founding in 1969 The Cubs needed to win only one game of the next three in San Diego to make it back to the World Series. After being beaten in game 3, the Cubs lost when dependable closer Lee Smith allowed a game-winning home run to Steve Garvey in the bottom of the 9th inning of Game 4. Lee Arthur Smith (born December 4 1957 is a retired American right-handed Relief pitcher who played for eight teams in Major League Baseball from 1980 Steven Patrick Garvey (born December 22, 1948) is a former Major League Baseball First baseman, and current Southern California In Game 5 the Cubs took a 3-0 lead to the 6th inning, and a 3-2 lead into the 7th with Sutcliffe (who won the Cy Young Award that year) still on the mound, but he tired, and a critical error by Leon Durham, who watched a routine grounder go through his legs helped the San Diego Padres win the game and kept Chicago out of the 1984 World Series. In Baseball, the Cy Young Award is an honor given annually to the best Pitcher in Major League Baseball (one each for American and National Leon Durham (born July 31, 1957 in Cincinnati Ohio) is a former first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for 10 seasons The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego California since their founding in 1969 The 1984 World Series began on October 9 and ended on October 14.

1989 NL East champions

Main article: 1989 Chicago Cubs season

In 1989, the first full season with night baseball at Wrigley Field, the Cubs were led by a core group of veterans in Sandberg, Sutcliffe and Andre Dawson, who were boosted by a crop of youngsters such as Mark Grace, Shawon Dunston, Greg Maddux and Rookie of the Year Jerome Walton. The 1989 Chicago Cubs season marked the last time the Cubs would win their division until the realignment to six divisions in 1994 which moved the Cubs to the NL Central Andre Nolan Dawson (born July 10, 1954, Miami Florida) is a former Major League Baseball Outfielder. Mark Eugene Grace (born June 28, 1964 in Winston-Salem North Carolina) is a former Major League Baseball player for 16 seasons with the Shawon Donnell Dunston (born March 21, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York) is a former Shortstop and right-handed batter in Major League Gregory Alan Maddux (born April 14, 1966 in San Angelo Texas) is a Pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jerome O'Terrell Walton (born July 8 1965 in Newnan Georgia) is a former Center fielder in Major League Baseball who played The Cubbies won the NL East once again that season winning 93 games. This time the Northsiders met the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS. The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. After splitting the first two games at home, the Cubs headed to the Bay Area, where despite holding a lead at some point in each of the next three games, bullpen meltdowns and managerial blunders ultimately led to three straight losses. The Giants lost to "The Bash Brothers" and the Oakland A's in the famous "Earthquake Series". The Oakland Athletics are a professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Loma Prieta earthquake, also known as the Quake of '89 and the World Series Quake, was a major Earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay The 1989 World Series was played between the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants.

1998 wild card

Main article: 1998 Chicago Cubs season

Sammy Sosa acknowledges the Bleacher Bums during a home game at Wrigley Field. The Chicago Cubs season was a significant one for the team for several reasons

After the retirement of Sandberg and the trading of Dunston, the team needed to look elsewhere for help. In 1998 the Cubs signed outfielder Henry Rodriguez while Sammy Sosa responded with a 66 home run season. Henry Anderson Rodríguez Lorenzo (born November 8 1967 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a former Major League Baseball Samuel Peralta Sosa (born November 12, 1968 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is a Right fielder who is currently This effort, coupled with a Rookie of the Year season by Kerry Wood, won a down-to-the-wire Wild Card chase over San Francisco, culminating with the Cubs beating the Giants in a one game playoff at Wrigley in which Gary Gaetti hit a game winning homer and propelled the Cubs into the postseason once again. Kerry Lee Wood (born June 16, 1977 in Irving, Texas) is an American Baseball player Gary Joseph Gaetti (ˈɡaɪ̪ˌɛɾi born August 19, 1958 in Centralia Illinois) nicknamed "G-Man" ("Rat" or "Zorn" during They scored only four runs en route to being swept by Atlanta. The home run chase between Sosa and Mark McGwire generated a great deal of media coverage, and helped to bring in a new crop of fans as well as bringing back some fans who had been disillusioned by the 1994 strike. The 1998 Major League Baseball home run chase in Major League Baseball was the race between First baseman Mark McGwire of the St Mark David McGwire (born October 1 1963 in Pomona California) is a former professional baseball player who played the majority of his Major League career with the The 1994 Major League baseball strike was the eighth work stoppage in Baseball history as well as the fourth in-season work stoppage ^[4]

2001 playoff push

Sosa had 64 homers and Jon Lieber won twenty games, while the club made a midseason deal for Fred McGriff, which was drawn out for nearly a month as McGriff debated waiving his no-trade clause,^[5] as the Northsiders led the wild card race by 2. Jonathan Ray Lieber (born April 2, 1970 in) is a Pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Frederick Stanley "Crime Dog" McGriff (born October 31, 1963 in Tampa Florida) is a former left-handed Major League Baseball player A no-trade clause is an amendment to a contract usually relevant in American professional sports wherein a player may not be traded to another club 5 games in early September, but the run died when Preston Wilson hit a three run walk off homer off of closer Tom "Flash" Gordon, which halted the team's momentum. Preston James Richard Wilson (born July 19 1974 in Bamberg, South Carolina) is a Major League Baseball Outfielder Thomas Gordon (born November 18, 1967 in Sebring Florida) nicknamed "Flash" is a Major League Baseball right-handed Pitcher The team was unable to make another serious charge, and finished five games behind both Houston and St. Louis. ^[6]

2003 comeback

Main article: 2003 Chicago Cubs season

The Cubs had high expectations in 2002, but the squad played poorly, and the club responded by hiring Dusty Baker and by making some major moves in '03. The Chicago Cubs ' 2003 season was the 131st season for the Cubs Johnnie B "Dusty" Baker Jr (born June 15 1949 in Riverside California) is a former Outfielder in Major League Baseball Most notably, they traded with the Pittsburgh Pirates for Aramis Ramirez, finally filling a gaping hole at third base, and rode dominant pitching as the Northsiders won their first division title in 14 years, and their NLDS victory over the Atlanta Braves was the team's first postseason series win since 1908. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Aramis Nin Ramírez (ʌrˈɑːmɪs or /ərˈɑːmɪs/ born June 25, 1978 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is an all-star Major League In Major League Baseball, the National League Division Series ( NLDS) determine which two teams from the National League will advance to the National The Cubs then took a 3 games to 1 lead over the Florida Marlins in the NLCS. The Florida Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami Gardens Florida. After dropping Game 5, Mark Prior and the Cubs took a 3-0 lead to the 8th inning of Game 6, when a now-infamous incident took place. Mark William Prior (born September 7, 1980 in San Diego, California, United States) is a Starting pitcher for the A fan, Steve Bartman, attempted to catch a foul ball off the bat of Luis Castillo, disrupting a potential catch for the second out by Moisés Alou. Luis Antonio Castillo (born September 12 1975 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball (MLB Second baseman Moisés Rojas Alou (usually ˈmɔɪ̪zɨs əˈluː in English, and /moiˈses alˈou/ in Spanish; born July 3, 1966 in Atlanta Georgia ^[7] Interference was not called on the play, as the ball was on the spectator side of the wall. Alou was unable to make the catch. Two batters later, Cubs shortstop Alex Gonzalez misplayed a potential inning ending double play, loading the bases and leading to eight Florida runs and a Marlin victory. Alexander Scott Gonzalez (born April 8, 1973 in Miami, Florida) is a former Major League Baseball Shortstop and Despite sending Kerry Wood to the mound and holding a lead twice, the Cubs also dropped Game 7, and failed to reach World Series. Kerry Lee Wood (born June 16, 1977 in Irving, Texas) is an American Baseball player The 2003 World Series marked the 99th baseball World Series event

2004 letdown

Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Moisés Alou celebrate. Derrek Leon Lee (born September 6 1975 in Sacramento California) is a First baseman in Major League Baseball who has played for the Chicago Aramis Nin Ramírez (ʌrˈɑːmɪs or /ərˈɑːmɪs/ born June 25, 1978 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is an all-star Major League Moisés Rojas Alou (usually ˈmɔɪ̪zɨs əˈluː in English, and /moiˈses alˈou/ in Spanish; born July 3, 1966 in Atlanta Georgia

In 2004, despite the return of Greg Maddux and a midseason deal for Nomar Garciaparra, misfortune struck the Cubs again. Anthony Nomar Garciaparra (ˈnoʊ̪mɑɹ ɡɑɹˈsiəˌpɑɹə born July 23 1973 in) is an American Baseball player who currently plays shortstop for the Los Angeles They led the Wild Card by 1. 5 games on September 25, but LaTroy Hawkins blew a save to the Mets, and the Cubs proceeded to drop 7 of their last 9 games and relinquished their lead to the Astros. Events 303 - On a voyage preaching the Gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens, France LaTroy Hawkins (born December 21, 1972 in Gary, Indiana) is a Major League Baseball Relief pitcher for the Houston Despite winning 89 games, this fallout was decidedly unlovable, as the Cubs traded superstar Sammy Sosa after he had left the season's final game early and then lied about it publicly. Samuel Peralta Sosa (born November 12, 1968 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is a Right fielder who is currently Sosa, already a controversial figure in the clubhouse after his corked-bat incident,^[8] alienated much of his fan base, the few teammates still on good terms with him, and possibly tarnished his place in Cubs' lore for years to come. Samuel Peralta Sosa (born November 12, 1968 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is a Right fielder who is currently ^[9] The disappointing season also saw fans become frustrated with the constant injuries to ace pitchers Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, and finally led to the departure of popular commentator Steve Stone, who had become increasingly critical of management and was verbally attacked by reliever Kent Mercker. Steven Michael Stone, nicknamed Stoney (born July 14, 1947, in South Euclid Ohio) is an American, former Major League Baseball Kent Franklin Mercker (born February 1, 1968 in Dublin Ohio) is a Major League Baseball Left-handed Pitcher for the ^[10]

2007: Worst to first

Main article: 2007 Chicago Cubs season

After finishing with only 66 wins and 17. The Chicago Cubs ' 2007 season began with the Cubs trying to rebound after a season in which they finished last in their division for the first time since. 5 games out of first in 2006, the Northsiders re-tooled for 2007, signing Alfonso Soriano to the richest contract in Cub history,^[11] and replacing manager Dusty Baker with Lou Piniella. Alfonso Guilleard Soriano (born January 7 1976 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic) is a professional Major League Baseball Outfielder Johnnie B "Dusty" Baker Jr (born June 15 1949 in Riverside California) is a former Outfielder in Major League Baseball Louis Victor Piniella (pɨˈnɛlə born August 28, 1943, in Tampa Florida, United States) is the current manager of the Chicago ^[12] After a rough start, which included a brawl between Michael Barrett and Carlos Zambrano,^[13] the Cubs overcame the Milwaukee Brewers, who had led the division for most of the season, with winning streaks in June and July, ultimately clinching the NL Central with 85 victories. Michael Barrett may refer to Michael Barrett (baseball (born 1976 American baseball player for the San Diego Padres Michael Barrett (Fenian Carlos Alberto Zambrano (born June 1 1981 in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela) popularly known as "Big Z" or "El Toro", is a right-handed The Milwaukee Brewers are a Major League Baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which plays in the Central Division of the National League They met Arizona in the NLDS, but controversy followed as Piniella, in a move that has since come under scrutiny,^[14] pulled Carlos Zambrano] after the sixth inning of a pitchers duel with D-Backs ace Brandon Webb, to "Save Zambrano for (a potential) Game 4. The Arizona Diamondbacks (also referred to as the D-backs) are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix Arizona. The word " ace " comes from the Old French word 'as' (from Latin 'as' meaning 'a unit' from the name of a small Roman coin Brandon Tyler Webb (born May 9, 1979 in Ashland Kentucky) is a National Major League Baseball Starting pitcher for " The Cubs, however, were unable to come through, losing the first game and eventually stranding over thirty baserunners in a three game Arizona sweep. ^[15]

Radio and television

As of 2007, the Cubs' flagship radio station was WGN-AM, 720 AM. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. flagship is the lead ship in a fleet of vessels a designation given on account of being either the largest fastest newest most heavily armed or for publicity purposes the most well This article is about radio broadcasting for other uses see Radio (disambiguation. WGN (720 AM) is a Radio station in Chicago Illinois, USA. It is owned by the Tribune Company, which also owns the flagship With the recent end of the Pittsburgh Pirates' run on KDKA, this may now be the longest team-to-station relationship in MLB. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. KDKA (1020 AM) is a Radio station in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and is often said to be the oldest commercial radio station in the United States Pat Hughes is the play-by-play announcer, along with color commentator Ron Santo and pre- and post-game host Cory Provus. Virgil Patrick "Pat" Hughes (born May 27, 1955 in Tucson Arizona) has been the Play-by-play voice of the Chicago Cubs, Play-by-play, in Broadcasting, is a North American term and means the reporting of a Sporting event with a Voiceover describing the details of the action A color commentator, sometimes known as a color analyst, is a member of the Broadcasting team for a sporting event who assists the Play-by-play Ronald Edward Santo (born February 25 1940 in Seattle Washington) is a former Third baseman in Major League Baseball who played almost Santo, a former Cubs star and a fan of the team, and who is introduced as "Cub legend" on a daily basis by Pat Hughes, is known for his emotional highs and lows during games. One example of a "low" was his "Nooo! Nooo!" when Brant Brown dropped a fly ball in a key game in 1998. Brant Michael Brown is a former professional baseball player He was born on June 22 1971 in Porterville California. A "high" for Santo was upon the retirement of his number on the last day of the 2003 season, in which he declared his #10 flag to be "my Hall of Fame".

The Chicago Cubs Radio Network consists of 45 stations in eleven states.

Cubs telecasts are split three ways: WGN (both the local station and the superstation), WCIU (a local independent station), and CSN Chicago (with some games, often Wednesday night contests, aired on the supplemental channel CSN+). The Chicago Cubs Radio Network is comprised of 45 stations in eleven states WGN-TV, channel 9 is a Television station in Chicago Illinois. WGN America (formerly known as "Superstation WGN" or "WGN Superstation" is a Chicago -based American Superstation for WGN-TV, owned WCIU-TV is an independent television station, located in Chicago Illinois. Independent station is a term for a broadcast radio or Television station which is more independent in some way compared to other "dependent" CSN Chicago is a member of the Comcast SportsNet network of regional sports networks that covers local sports teams in the Chicago area Len Kasper is the play-by-play announcer, and Bob Brenly, a former major league catcher and Arizona Diamondbacks manager, is the color commentator for the games. Len Kasper (born January 21, 1971 in Mt Pleasant Michigan) is a Play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Robert Earl Brenly (born February 25, 1954 in Coshocton Ohio) is a former Catcher and manager The Arizona Diamondbacks (also referred to as the D-backs) are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix Arizona. A color commentator, sometimes known as a color analyst, is a member of the Broadcasting team for a sporting event who assists the Play-by-play WGN also produces the games shown on WCIU; for those games, the score bug changes the "WGN" logo to "CubsNet. " WGN and CSN Chicago generally show an even number of Cubs games, while WCIU averages about 8 games per season. In addition, the club also produces its own print media; the Cubs' official magazine Vineline, which has eight annual issues, is in its third decade.

Jack and Harry

Harry Caray memorialized in a statue near Wrigley Field in Chicago. Wrigley Field is a Baseball Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States.

Two broadcasters have made their mark on the team. Jack Brickhouse manned the Cubs radio and especially the TV booth for parts of five decades, covering the games with a level of enthusiasm that often seemed unjustified by the team's poor performance on the field for many of those years. John Beasley "Jack" Brickhouse ( January 24, 1916 &ndash August 6, 1998) was an American sports broadcast announcer His trademark call "Hey Hey!" usually followed a home run or other spectacular play. That expression is spelled out in large letters vertically on both foul pole screens at Wrigley Field. "Whoo-boy!" and "Wheeee!" and "Oh, brother!" were among his other pet expressions. When he approached retirement age, he personally recommended his successor.

Harry Caray's stamp on the team is perhaps even deeper than that of Brickhouse, though his tenure was half as long. Harry Caray (b Harry Christopher Carabina, March 1, 1914, St Louis, Mo First, Caray had already become a well-known Chicago figure by broadcasting White Sox games for a decade, after having been a Cardinals icon for 25 years. Caray also had the benefit of being in the booth during the NL East title run in 1984, which was widely seen due to WGN's status as a cable-TV superstation. His trademark call of "Holy Cow!" and his enthusiastic singing of "Take me out to the ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch (as he had done with the White Sox) made Caray a fan favorite both locally and nationally. Harry occasionally had problems pronouncing names, to comic effect, such as his attempt at saying "Hector Villanueva" which was captured on WGN's memorial CD to Harry. Héctor Villanueva (born October 2, 1964 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico) is a former professional baseball player who played Catcher He also continued his long-standing bit (dating back to the Cardinals years) of pronouncing names backwards. Caray had lively discussions with commentator Steve Stone, who was hand-picked by Harry himself, and producer Arne Harris. Steven Michael Stone, nicknamed Stoney (born July 14, 1947, in South Euclid Ohio) is an American, former Major League Baseball Arnold H Harris ( 22 May 1934 in Chicago, Illinois - 6 October 2001 in Chicago, Illinois) was the Caray often playfully quarreled with Stone over Stone's cigar and why Stone was single, while Stone would counter with poking fun at Harry being "under the influence. " Stone disclosed in his book "Where's Harry" that most of this "arguing" was staged, and usually a ploy developed by Harry himself to add flavor to the broadcast. Additionally, Harry once did a commercial for Budweiser, dressed as a "Blues Brother" and parodying "Soul Man", singing "I'm a Cub fan, I'm a Bud man," while dancing with models dressed as ballgirls. Budweiser is an American-style lager and is one of the most popular beers in the United States.

The Cubs still have a live singer, usually a celebrity, during the 7th inning stretch to honor Caray's memory. The quality of their renditions varies widely. Chicago icons often return annually, such as former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka, who tends to sing the song very fast and possibly on key. The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. Michael Keller Ditka Jr (born October 18, 1939, in Carnegie Pennsylvania) also known as Iron Mike Ditka or Da Coach, is a former Caray is also honored with a statue located at the corner of Sheffield and Addison streets, and during the 1998 season, a patch with Caray's caricature and Brickhouse's trademark "Hey Hey" were worn on the players sleeves to honor the passing of both commentators within a span of a few months. Harry's popularity also led to his grandson Chip Caray joining the broadcast team in winter of 1997, shortly before Harry's death. Harry Christopher "Chip" Caray III (born 1965 is a Television broadcaster for Turner Broadcasting System ( TBS) and is also an occasional Radio Chip Caray worked the Cubs games alongside Stone until events that unfolded in 2004, when Stone became increasingly critical of management and players toward season's end. At one point, reliever Kent Mercker phoned the booth during a game and told Stone to "keep out of team business. Kent Franklin Mercker (born February 1, 1968 in Dublin Ohio) is a Major League Baseball Left-handed Pitcher for the " Stone left the team, taking a position with Chicago-based WSCR. WSCR is a Sports radio station in the Chicago Illinois radio market Chip Caray also left, joining his father Skip Caray on TBS, providing play-by-play for the Atlanta Braves. Harry Christopher "Skip" Caray Jr ( August 12 1939 - August 3 2008) was an American Sportscaster, best known TBS is an American Cable television network that shows sports and a variety of programming with a focus on comedy

Miscellaneous

Championship drought

Main article: Chicago Cubs futility theories

The Chicago Cubs have not won a World Series championship since 1908 and have not appeared in a Series since 1945, although they have a number of post-season appearances since the multi-tiered playoff system was developed. The Chicago Cubs have the longest dry spell between championships in all of the four major U It is the longest title drought in all four of the major American professional sports leagues, which includes the NFL, the NBA, and the NHL, as well as, of course, Major League Baseball. The following is a list of teams that play in one of the seven major sports leagues in North America: Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the The National Football League ( NFL) is the largest professional American football league. The National Hockey League ( NHL) is a professional Ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America In fact, the last Cubs World Series win occurred before those other three leagues even existed.

Playful theories try to blame the team's futility on alleged supernatural intervention, such as the Curse of the Billy Goat from 1945, citing the Leon Durham error of 1984 and the Bartman incident in 2003 as "evidence" of a curse. The Curse of the Billy Goat refers to a Superstition that is commonly cited in explaining why the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball team has not won the More practical theories include the too-cozy dimensions of Wrigley Field; the physical toll from the summer heat discussed in the 1977 book Stuck on the Cubs; and evidenced by the plentiful late season collapses, most notably '69 and 2004, as well as 1977, 1979, 1985, and 1999, among others. Finally, the most obvious candidate for this happenstance is the club's poor front office decisions.

Since the other two "cursed" teams, the Red Sox and the crosstown White Sox, broke their lengthy World Series droughts in 2004 and 2005 respectively, and with the Cubs now at the 100th anniversary of their last Series win, special attention has been drawn to the 2008 season.

10,000th win

The organization commemorating its 10,000th win, April 24, 2008. Events 1479 BC - Thutmose III ascends to the throne of Egypt, although power effectively shifts to Hatshepsut (according to 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common

On April 23, 2008, against the Colorado Rockies, the Cubs recorded the 10,000th regular-season win in their franchise's history ^[16] dating back to the beginning of the National League in 1876. Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. The Cubs reached the milestone with an overall National League record of 10,000 wins and 9,465 losses. Chicago is only the second club in Major League Baseball history to attain this milestone, the first having been the San Francisco Giants in mid-season 2005. The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. The Cubs, however, hold the mark for victories for a team in a single city. The Philadelphia Phillies are the only team with 10,000 losses. The Chicago club's 77-77 record in the National Association (1871, 1874-1875) are not included in MLB record keeping. Post-season series are also not included in the totals. To honor the milestone, the Cubs flew an extra white flag displaying "10,000" in blue, along with the customary "W" flag.

Record for runs scored

In an afternoon game at Wrigley Field against the Philadelphia Phillies, 45 runs were scored, in a 23-22 Phillies win. This fell just a few short of the Major League record, set by the Cubs and Phillies on August 25, 1922, when the Cubs outlasted the Phillies 26-23 at Wrigley Field. Events 1248 - The Dutch city of Ommen receives city rights and fortification rights from Otto III the Year 1922 ( MCMXXII) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

Spring training

The Cubs spring training facility is located in Mesa, Arizona, where they play in the Cactus League. Mesa ( "MACE-uh") is a city in Maricopa County, in the U In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the Regular season. The club plays its games at HoHoKam Park, the name of which, ironically, is literally translated from Native American as "those who vanished. HoHoKam Park also known as Dwight W Patterson Field, is a park with a Baseball stadium located at 1235 N Center St in Mesa Arizona (the Chicago " The park seats just under 13,567, and the Cubs annually sell out most of their games both at home and on the road. The Northsiders have called Mesa their spring home for most seasons since 1952. In addition to Mesa, the club has held spring training in a variety of places, including Scottsdale, Arizona, The University of Illinois, Indiana State University, The University of South Florida in Tampa, Las Vegas, and Catalina Island, which is a small island off the coast of Los Angeles that was purchased by the Wrigley family in 1919 as a "paradise resort. Scottsdale ( O'odham Vaṣai S-vaṣonĭ; Yaqui Eskatel) is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, This article is about the flagship campus For other uses and locations of University of Illinois, see University of Illinois (disambiguation The University of Indiana State University ( ISU) is a Public university that is located in Terre Haute Indiana, United States. The University of South Florida ( USF) known within its system as USF Tampa, is a public research University system located in Tampa, Florida Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally Santa Catalina Island, often called Catalina Island, or just Catalina, is a rocky Island off the coast of the U Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West "

Wrigley Field and Wrigleyville

Main article: Wrigley Field

The Cubs have played their home games at Wrigley Field, also known as "The Friendly Confines" since 1916. Wrigley Field is a Baseball Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Whales, a Federal League baseball team. The Chicago Whales were a Federal League Baseball club in Chicago from 1914 to 1915 The Federal League was the last major attempt to establish an independent major Professional baseball league in the United States The Cubs also shared the park with the Chicago Bears of the NFL for 50 years. The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. The ballpark includes a manual scoreboard, ivy-covered brick walls, and relatively small dimensions.

Some Cub fans celebrate the NLDS win over Atlanta at a Lakeview nightclub in 2003

Located in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, Wrigley Field sits on an irregular block bounded by Clark and Addison Streets and Waveland and Sheffield Avenues. Lake View — or Lakeview, as it is increasingly spelled — is a North Side Neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States The area surrounding the ballpark is typically referred to as Wrigleyville. There is a dense collection of bars and nightclubs in the area, most with baseball inspired themes, including Harry Caray's, Murphy's Bleachers, and Sluggers. On gamedays, many residents rent out their yards and driveways during games to people looking for a parking spot. Though many Wrigleyville homeowners have seen their property values skyrocket, most, along with Mayor Richard M. Daley (a die-hard White Sox fan), still oppose the teams quest to play more night games and stadium expansion. Richard Michael Daley (born April 24 1942 is a United States Politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party and current mayor Average attendance at games has also skyrocketed, as annual ticket sales have more than doubled, with attendance rising from 1. 4 million in 1983 to nearly 3. 2 million in 2004.

"White flag time at Wrigley!"

The term "White flag time at Wrigley!" means the Cubs have won.

Beginning in the days of P. K. Wrigley and the 1937 bleacher/scoreboard reconstruction, and prior to modern media saturation, a flag with either a "W" or an "L" has flown from atop the scoreboard masthead, indicating the day's result(s) when baseball was played at Wrigley. In case of a doubleheader that results in a split, both the "win" and "loss" flags are flown.

Past Cubs media guides show that originally the flags were blue with a white "W" and white with a blue "L", the latter coincidentally suggesting "surrender". In 1978, consistent with the dominant colors of the flags, blue and white lights were mounted atop the scoreboard, denoting "win" and "loss" respectively for the benefit of nighttime passers-by.

The flags were replaced by 1990, the first year in which the Cubs media guide reports the switch to the now familiar colors of the flags: White with blue "W" and blue with white "L". In addition to needing to replace the worn-out flags, by then the retired numbers of Banks and Williams were flying on the foul poles, as white with blue numbers; so the "good" flag was switched to match that scheme.

This long-established tradition has evolved to fans carrying the white-with-blue-W flags to both home and away games, and displaying them after a Cub win. The flags have become more and more popular each season since 1998, and are now even sold at the ballpark.

Bleacher Bums

Wrigley Field's famous manual scoreboard in the center field bleachers.

The "Bleacher Bums" is a name given to fans, many of whom spend much of the day heckling, who sit in the bleacher section at Wrigley Field. Bleacher Bums is a 1977 play written collaboratively by members of Chicago 's Organic Theater Company, from an idea by actor Joe Initially, the group was called "bums" because it referred to a group of fans who were at most games, and since those games were all day games, it was assumed they did not work. Many of those fans were, and are still, students at Chicago colleges, such as DePaul University, Loyola, and Illinois-Chicago. DePaul University is a private institution of Higher education and Research in Chicago, Illinois, U Loyola University Chicago is a private co-educational Jesuit university established in Chicago in 1870 as Saint Ignatius College The University of Illinois at Chicago, or UIC, is a state-funded public research university located in Chicago. A Broadway play, starring Joe Mantegna, Dennis Farina, Dennis Franz, and Jim Belushi ran for years and was based on a group of Cub fans who frequented the club's games. Joseph Anthony “Joe” Mantegna Jr (born November 13, 1947) is an American Tony Award -winning Actor, producer, Dennis Farina (born February 29, 1944) is an American film and television actor Dennis Franz (born October 28, 1944) is an Emmy - Screen Actors Guild - and Golden Globe Award -winning American Actor James Adam "Jim" Belushi (born June 15, 1954) is an American Actor, Comedian and Musician, the younger brother The group was started in 1967 by dedicated fan Ron Grousl and "mad bugler" Mike Murphy, who is currently a radio host on Chicago-based WSCR. Mike Murphy (born May 1, 1951) is an American Sports radio personality who hosts The Mike Murphy Show Monday through Friday from WSCR is a Sports radio station in the Chicago Illinois radio market Murphy alleges that Grousl started the Wrigley tradition of throwing back opposing teams' home run balls. ^[17][18] The current group is headed by Derek Schaul. In 2005, Bud Light bought naming rights to the bleacher section, dubbing them the Bud Light Bleachers. Budweiser is an American-style lager and is one of the most popular beers in the United States.

Mascots

The official Cub mascot is a young bear cub, which has gone through various transformations through the years. The Cubs have no official physical mascot, though a man in a 'polar bear' looking outfit, called "The Beeman" (or Bearman, B-man), which was not very popular with the fans, was employed by the club briefly in the early 1990s. However, the Cubs' un-official mascot is a formerly homeless man named Ronnie Wickers, who goes by the nickname of "Ronnie Woo Woo. Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers (born October 31, 1941) is a longtime Chicago Cubs fan and local celebrity in the Chicago area "^[19] Wickers is not employed by the team, but is seen daily at games and outside the park, dressed in full uniform, usually with a hula hoop or jump rope. Wickers is the second fan to reach this status, the first being "Gary The Drunk" in the 1980s through mid 90s, and was featured in Steve Stone's book "Where's Harry?" Wickers, however, is much more popular. He is known for his trademark yelling, for example "Mark. . . . Wooo! Grace. . . . Wooo!," and has been adopted by fans as a part of the culture at Wrigley Field. Wickers has gained national fame, and has appeared on the Howard Stern and Mancow radio programs. Howard Allan Stern (born January 12 1954 is an American radio host and Television personality. Matthew Erich "Mancow" Muller (born June 21, 1966 in Kansas City Missouri) is an American radio and television personality

See also

• History of the Chicago Cubs
• Chicago Cubs futility theories
• Chicago Cubs team records
• Chicago Tribune
• WGN TV Channel 9 / Superstation WGN
• WGN Radio 720 AM
• Sam Zell
• Curse of the Billy Goat
• Steve Bartman
• Major League Baseball franchise post-season droughts
• Grant DePorter
• Lee Elia
• Major North American professional sports teams

Current roster

Retired numbers

The Chicago Cubs retired numbers are commemorated on pinstriped flags flying from the foul poles at Wrigley Field:

Ron Santo 3B: 1960-1973

Ernie Banks SS/1B: 1953-1971

Ryne Sandberg 2B: 1982-1997

Billy Williams OF: 1959-1974

Number Reserved N/A: 2007

Jackie Robinson Retired by MLB

• Upon signing with the Cubs prior to the 2007 season, Ted Lilly agreed to wear uniform number 30 rather than his usual 31 due to its imminent retirement. The Chicago Cubs have the longest dry spell between championships in all of the four major U The following lists statistical records and all-time leaders for the Chicago Cubs professional baseball club of Major League Baseball. The Chicago Tribune is a major daily Newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, and owned by the Tribune Company WGN-TV, channel 9 is a Television station in Chicago Illinois. WGN America (formerly known as "Superstation WGN" or "WGN Superstation" is a Chicago -based American Superstation for WGN-TV, owned WGN (720 AM) is a Radio station in Chicago Illinois, USA. It is owned by the Tribune Company, which also owns the flagship Samuel "Sam" Zell (born September 1941) is a US-born Billionaire and Real estate Entrepreneur. The Curse of the Billy Goat refers to a Superstition that is commonly cited in explaining why the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball team has not won the This is a list of Major League Baseball franchise postseason and World Series droughts through the most recently completed baseball season (2008 Grant M DePorter (born November 7 1964) is a restaurateur from Chicago, U The following is a list of teams that play in one of the seven major sports leagues in North America: Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the Ryan Scott Dempster (born May 3, 1977 in Sechelt British Columbia) is astarting Pitcher for the Chicago Cubs in Major League Sean Patrick Gallagher (born December 30, 1985 in) is a Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Oakland Athletics Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III (born January 4, 1976 in Torrance California) is a Starting pitcher for the Chicago Jason Scott Marquis (mɑrˈkiː (born August 21, 1978) is an American Major League Baseball Pitcher for the Carlos Alberto Zambrano (born June 1 1981 in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela) popularly known as "Big Z" or "El Toro", is a right-handed Neal James Cotts (born March 25, 1980 in Lebanon Illinois) is a Left-handed Major League Baseball Pitcher currently Scott Alan Eyre (born May 30, 1972 in Inglewood California) is a Left-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball for Bobby Dean Howry (born August 4, 1973 in) is a Major League Baseball Relief pitcher who currently plays for the Chicago Cubs Jonathan Ray Lieber (born April 2, 1970 in) is a Pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Carlos Agustín Mármol (born October 14, 1982 in Bonao, Dominican Republic) is a Relief pitcher in Major League Baseball Kerry Lee Wood (born June 16, 1977 in Irving, Texas) is an American Baseball player Michael James Wuertz (born December 15, 1978 in Austin Minnesota) is a Right-handed Relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs Henry Ramón Blanco (born August 29, 1971 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball Catcher and right-handed Geovany Soto (born January 20, 1983 in San Juan Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball Catcher, currently on the Chicago Ronny Alexander Cedeño (born February 2, 1983 in Carabobo, Venezuela) is a Shortstop for the Chicago Cubs. Mark Thomas DeRosa (born February 26, 1975 in Passaic New Jersey) is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Chicago Cubs Michael Eugene "Mike" Fontenot (born June 9, 1980 in) is a Major League Baseball Infielder for the Chicago Cubs. James Micah Hoffpauir (born March 1, 1980 in Fort Worth Texas) is a Major League Baseball First baseman for the Chicago Derrek Leon Lee (born September 6 1975 in Sacramento California) is a First baseman in Major League Baseball who has played for the Chicago Eric Scott Patterson (born April 8, 1983 in Tallahassee Florida) is an Outfielder in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Aramis Nin Ramírez (ʌrˈɑːmɪs or /ərˈɑːmɪs/ born June 25, 1978 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is an all-star Major League Ryan Stewart Theriot (ˈtɛrioʊ (born December 7, 1979 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is a Major League Baseball Infielder James Patrick "Jim" Edmonds (born June 27, 1970 in Fullerton, California) is a left-handed Center fielder for "Fukudome" redirects here For information on the WWII admiral see Shigeru Fukudome. Reed Cameron Johnson (born December 8, 1976 in Riverside California) is a Major League Baseball Outfielder for the Chicago José Eleazar Ascanio (born May 2, 1985 in Maracay, Venezuela) is a right-handed Relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Chad Douglas Fox (born September 3, 1970 in) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Adam Benjamin Harben (born August 19, 1983 in) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher in the Chicago Cubs organization Kevin Richard Hart (born December 29, 1982 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a professional Baseball Pitcher for the Chicago Richard Joseph "Rich" Hill (born March 11, 1980 in Boston Massachusetts) is a left-handed Starting pitcher for the Iowa Sean Christopher COOLCAT' Marshall' (born August 30, 1982 in Richmond, Virginia) is a Major League Baseball left-handed William John "Billy" Petrick III (born April 29, 1984 in Kankakee Illinois) is a current Pitcher in Major League Baseball Carmen Peter Pignatiello (born September 12, 1982 in Hammond Indiana) is a Major League Baseball Relief pitcher for the Jeffrey Alan Samardzija (born January 23, 1985 in Merrillville Indiana) is an American Baseball Pitcher with the Jacob Quirin "Jake" Fox (born July 20, 1982 in Beech Grove Indiana) is a Major League Baseball Catcher who plays for Daryle Lamar Ward (born June 27, 1975 in) is a Major League Baseball Outfielder and First baseman for the Chicago Cubs Samuel Babson "Sam" Fuld (born November 20, 1981, in Durham New Hampshire) is a Jewish-American Left-handed professional Matthew Henry Murton (born October 3, 1981 in Fort Lauderdale Florida) is a Major League Baseball Outfielder for the Oakland Félix Pie (ˈpiːeɪ PEE-ay) (born February 8, 1985 in) is a Major League Center fielder for the Chicago Cubs. Alfonso Guilleard Soriano (born January 7 1976 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic) is a professional Major League Baseball Outfielder Louis Victor Piniella (pɨˈnɛlə born August 28, 1943, in Tampa Florida, United States) is the current manager of the Chicago Iván Alvarez DeJesús (born January 9, 1953 in Santurce Puerto Rico) is a former Major League Baseball player from 1974 to 1988 for the Gerald June Perry (born October 30 1960 in Savannah Georgia) is a former First baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1983 Gregory Mike Quade (pronounced KWAH-dee {born March 12 1957 in Evanston Illinois) is the current third base coach of the Chicago Cubs, and Lawrence Lee Rothschild (born March 12, 1954, in Chicago Illinois) is the Pitching coach of the Chicago Cubs. Matthew Stephen Sinatro (born March 22, 1960 in Hartford Connecticut) is a former major league Catcher and the current first base Lester Strode is the bullpen coach for the Chicago Cubs. He was selected as a pitcher in the 4th round of the 1980 amateur draft and played in the minors from 1980 Alan Stuart Trammell (born February 21, 1958 in Garden Grove California) is a retired American Baseball Shortstop of the Ángel Moisés Guzmán (born December 14, 1981 in Caracas Venezuela) is a Pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath. Ronald Edward Santo (born February 25 1940 in Seattle Washington) is a former Third baseman in Major League Baseball who played almost Ernest "Ernie" Banks (born January 31, 1931 in Dallas Texas) is an American former Major League Baseball player Ryne Dee Sandberg (born September 18 1959 in Spokane Washington) nicknamed "Ryno" is a former Second baseman in Major League Baseball who Billy Williams can refer to different people Billy Williams (cricketer Billy Williams (baseball, baseball player for the Chicago Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson (January 31 1919 – October 24 1972 was a Baseball player for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Minor League Baseball Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III (born January 4, 1976 in Torrance California) is a Starting pitcher for the Chicago It is unannounced if 31 would be retired in the name of Ferguson Jenkins, Greg Maddux, or both. Ferguson Arthur "Fergie" Jenkins CM (born December 13 1943 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada) is a right-handed former Gregory Alan Maddux (born April 14, 1966 in San Angelo Texas) is a Pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Minor league affiliations

• AAA: Iowa Cubs, Pacific Coast League
• AA: Tennessee Smokies, Southern League
• Advanced A: Daytona Cubs, Florida State League
• A: Peoria Chiefs, Midwest League
• Short A: Boise Hawks, Northwest League
• Rookie: AZL Cubs, Arizona League
• Rookie: VSL Cubbies, Venezuelan Summer League

Season-by-season results

This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Cubs. The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A Minor league baseball team affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. The Pacific Coast League (PCL is a Minor league baseball league operating in the West and Midwest of the United States. The Tennessee Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in the Knoxville Tennessee metropolitan area. The Southern League is a Minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. The Daytona Cubs are a Minor league baseball team based in Daytona Beach Florida. The Florida State League is a Class A Advanced Minor League Baseball league which operates in the state of Florida. The Peoria Chiefs are a Class A Minor league baseball team affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, from Peoria Illinois. The Midwest League is a Class A Minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States. The Boise Hawks are a Short-Season A classification Minor league baseball team located in Boise, Idaho. The Northwest League of Professional Baseball (or simply the Northwest League) is a Short-Season A classification minor league The Arizona League Cubs are a Minor league baseball team in Mesa Arizona, USA. The Arizona League is a Minor league baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona. The Venezuelan Summer League is a Minor league baseball Rookie league which operates in Carabobo and Aragua states Venezuela For the full season-by-season history, see Chicago Cubs seasons. following lists the results of every season of the Chicago Cubs professional baseball club of Major League Baseball, beginning from their inaugural season season in
For updates on current season, see 2008 Chicago Cubs season. The Chicago Cubs ' 2008 season was the 136th season for the Chicago Cubs

Championships

References and notes

External links

• Chicago Cubs Official Website
• Chicago Sun-Times Cubs News
• Chicago Tribune Cubs News

Further reading

• Murphy, Cait (2007). "Crazy '08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History. " New York, NY: Smithsonian Books. ISBN 978-0-06-088937-1

• Wright, Marshall (2000). The National Association of Base Ball Players, 1857-1870. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co. ISBN 0-7864-0779-4

	This box: view • talk • edit Chicagoland Sports teams
Soccer	MLS: Chicago Fire, PDL: Chicago Fire Premier, MISL: Chicago Storm
Baseball	MLB: Chicago Cubs • Chicago White Sox, FL: Windy City ThunderBolts, MWL: Kane County Cougars, NL: Gary SouthShore RailCats • Joliet JackHammers • Schaumburg Flyers
Softball	NPF: Chicago Bandits
Basketball	NBA: Chicago Bulls , WNBA: Chicago Sky, PBL: Chicago Throwbacks, IBL: Elgin Racers • Gary Steelheads • Windy City Soldiers
Football	NFL: Chicago Bears, AFL: Chicago Rush, CIFL: Chicago Slaughter, IWFL: Chicago Force
Hockey	NHL: Chicago Blackhawks, AHL: Chicago Wolves, USHL: Chicago Steel, MAHL: South Shore Shooters
Rugby	RSL: Chicago Lions RFC • Chicago Griffins RFC
Lacrosse	MLL: Chicago Machine, NLL: Chicago Shamrox
College athletics (NCAA Division I)	Chicago State University • DePaul University • Loyola University Chicago • Northern Illinois University • Northwestern University • University of Illinois at Chicago • Valparaiso University