The Chicago Cubs are one of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises, representing Chicago’s North Side from their iconic home at Wrigley Field. Founded in 1870 as the Chicago White Stockings, the club is one of two remaining National League charter franchises from 1876. Over more than 150 years of baseball, the Cubs have won three World Series titles, captured 17 National League pennants, and produced some of the game’s most legendary players — all while cultivating one of the most passionate and loyal fan bases in all of professional sports.
Team Information
- Founded: 1870 (as Chicago White Stockings; known as Cubs since 1903)
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- League: National League (NL) Central Division
- Ballpark: Wrigley Field
- Colors: Dark blue, red, white
- Owner: Thomas S. Ricketts (Ricketts family)
- Mascot: Clark the Cub
- Nicknames: The Cubbies, The North Siders, The Boys in Blue, The Lovable Losers
Franchise History
The Early Dynasty: 1876–1908
The Cubs began as the Chicago White Stockings in 1870 and joined the National League as a charter member in 1876. Owner William Hulbert assembled a powerhouse by signing pitcher Albert Spalding and infielder Cap Anson. Chicago won the first-ever NL pennant behind Spalding’s 47 victories and Barnes’ league-leading .429 batting average.
Under player-manager Cap Anson — the first player in history credited with 3,000 career hits — the White Stockings captured six NL pennants between 1876 and 1886. The team went through several name changes (Colts, then Orphans) before becoming the Cubs in 1903. The golden era arrived between 1906 and 1908: the 1906 squad won a modern-era record 116 games before losing the World Series to crosstown rivals the Chicago White Sox. Undeterred, the Cubs won back-to-back championships in 1907 and 1908, becoming the first team to play in three consecutive Fall Classics and the first to win it twice.
The Long Wait: 1909–2015
The years following 1908 became synonymous with heartbreak. The Cubs won NL pennants in 1910, 1918, 1929, 1932, 1935, 1938, and 1945 but fell short each time in the World Series. The franchise endured decades of futility — from the “Curse of the Billy Goat” (infamously placed on the team after a fan was ejected from the 1945 World Series) to heartbreaking near-misses in 1969, 1984, and 2003. The 108-year championship drought became the longest in all of North American professional sports, a streak that defined the “Lovable Losers” identity.
Breaking Through: 2016 and Beyond
The 2016 season ended the unthinkable. Led by Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Báez, and a dominant pitching staff anchored by Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta, the Cubs won 103 games — their best regular-season total since 1910. They beat the Dodgers in the NLCS to capture their first pennant since 1945, then defeated the Cleveland Indians in a legendary seven-game World Series. The championship snapped the 108-year drought and sent fans into delirium. It remains one of the most celebrated moments in modern sports history.
Championships and Team Records
- World Series Titles: 3 (1907, 1908, 2016)
- National League Pennants: 17 (1876, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1885, 1886, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1910, 1918, 1929, 1932, 1935, 1938, 1945, 2016)
- NL Central Division Titles: 6 (2003, 2007, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2020)
- NL East Division Titles: 2 (1984, 1989)
- Wild Card Berths: 4 (1998, 2015, 2018, 2025)
- Postseason Appearances: 22
- All-Time Record (through 2024): 11,419–10,837–161 (.513)
- Franchise Most Games Played in MLB History
Cubs Legends and Retired Numbers
The Chicago Cubs have been home to an extraordinary collection of talent enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, as well as legendary players who have had their jersey numbers retired. Specifically, these figures represent the finest players ever to wear a Cubs uniform, spanning from the franchise’s charter beginnings to the modern 2016 World Series championship squad. Consequently, below is a comprehensive table of the franchise’s retired numbers, Hall of Fame inductees, and legendary players who define the history of Chicago’s North Side:
Chicago Cubs Active Roster & Key Players
Additionally, the modern Chicago Cubs roster features a dynamic blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talent competing in the NL Central division. Specifically, key players on the active roster represent the team’s ongoing search for another championship run. Consequently, below is a summary of the franchise’s key active players, their primary positions, and recent profiles:
Wrigley Field and Ballparks
Wrigley Field has been the Cubs’ home since 1916, making it the oldest ballpark in the National League and second-oldest in MLB (after Fenway Park). Known for its ivy-covered brick outfield walls, manual scoreboard, and rooftop bleachers across Waveland and Sheffield avenues, Wrigley is a National Historic Landmark. The ballpark seats 41,649 fans and is one of the most iconic venues in all of sports.
Before Wrigley Field (originally Weeghman Park), the franchise played at multiple Chicago locations: Lakefront Park, 23rd Street Grounds, West Side Parks, and South Side Park. Wrigley’s first night game came in 1988 after 5,687 consecutive day games — resistance to lights became part of the franchise’s character.
Key Rivalries
- St. Louis Cardinals — The greatest rivalry in the National League. The two franchises have competed since 1892, combining for 23 World Series titles. Cardinals fans and Cubs fans divide the Midwest.
- Milwaukee Brewers — The “I-94 Rivalry” between two Midwest franchises that have shared divisional space since 1998, with heated playoff implications in several seasons.
- Chicago White Sox — The crosstown rivalry dates to the 1906 World Series. The two franchises have combined for five World Series titles.
- New York Mets — A rivalry intensified by the 1969 season, when the Miracle Mets overtook the Cubs in one of baseball’s most famous collapses.
Fan Culture and Traditions
Cubs fans are among the most dedicated in all of professional sports. Wrigley Field has sold out regularly for decades, and the team draws over 3 million fans per season despite Chicago’s often-inclement April weather. The seventh-inning stretch tradition of leading the crowd in “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” dates back to Harry Caray’s tenure as beloved broadcaster — a tradition that continues even after his passing.
The ivy-covered walls of Wrigley Field are unique in baseball. Planted in 1937, the Boston ivy and bittersweet vine give the ballpark its distinctive character. A rule exists: if a ball lodges in the ivy, it’s a ground-rule double — fielders cannot attempt to retrieve it.
Clark the Cub, introduced in 2014 as the team’s first official physical mascot, took over from the unofficial tradition of a live bear cub that entertained at Wrigley in the franchise’s earliest days. Visitors can also explore the Wrigley Field official page for more on ballpark history and tours.
Franchise Records and Milestones
- Most Career Home Runs: Sammy Sosa — 545 (with Cubs)
- Most Career Hits: Cap Anson — 2,990
- Most Wins (Pitcher): Charlie Root — 201
- Single-Season Home Runs: Hack Wilson — 56 (1930)
- Single-Season RBIs: Hack Wilson — 190 (1930)
- Longest Championship Drought: 108 years (1909–2016) — an MLB record
- Consecutive Games Played (by position player): Billy Williams — 1,117
- Most Games Played (franchise history): Most games played by any team in MLB history
Related Baseball Posts
Explore these related articles:
- Milwaukee Brewers — NL Central rival and I-94 Rivalry opponent
- Philadelphia Phillies — NL opponent
- New York Mets — Featured in the 1969 collapse
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