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
Retired Numbers
- 10 — Ron Santo (retired 2003)
- 14 — Ernie Banks (retired 1982)
- 23 — Ryne Sandberg (retired 2005)
- 26 — Billy Williams (retired 1989)
- 31 — Fergie Jenkins (retired 2009)
- 31 — Greg Maddux (retired 2009)
- 42 — Jackie Robinson (retired league-wide)
Hall of Fame Players
The Cubs have produced or hosted an extraordinary collection of baseball immortals:
- Ernie Banks — “Mr. Cub.” The franchise’s most beloved player hit 512 home runs and won back-to-back NL MVPs in 1958 and 1959. His trademark phrase — “Let’s play two!” — captured his boundless optimism.
- Ron Santo — The fierce third baseman belted 342 home runs, won five Gold Gloves, and was posthumously elected to the Hall of Fame in 2012.
- Ryne Sandberg — “Ryno.” The 1984 NL MVP redefined the second baseman position with power and Gold Glove defense. His legendary home run duel with Carlton Fisk in 1984 remains one of Wrigley Field’s greatest moments.
- Billy Williams — “Sweet Swinging Billy.” Hit in a record 1,117 consecutive games and belted 426 home runs as a Cub.
- Fergie Jenkins — The elegant right-hander won 284 games and the 1971 Cy Young Award.
- Greg Maddux — “The Professor” pitched for the Cubs from 1986 to 1992 and returned for a second stint (2004–2006). Four-time Cy Young winner.
- Cap Anson — The franchise’s first superstar. Player-manager who won six NL pennants and was among the first inductees to the Hall of Fame.
- Mordecai “Three-Finger” Brown — The legendary pitcher dominated the dead-ball era with a 2.06 ERA and 239 wins.
- Hack Wilson — His 56 home runs and 190 RBIs in 1930 stood as MLB records for decades.
Franchise Legends
- Anthony Rizzo — The heart and soul of the 2016 championship team. Gold Glove first baseman and three-time All-Star who became a Chicago icon.
- Kris Bryant — 2016 NL MVP who delivered the final out in Game 7 of the World Series. The face of the championship team.
- Javier Báez — “El Mago.” The magician at shortstop combined highlight-reel defense with clutch hitting during the 2016 run.
- Jake Arrieta — The dominant ace who went 22–6 in 2015 and threw a no-hitter during the 2016 postseason.
- Jon Lester — The veteran left-hander signed before 2015 brought credibility and excellence to the rotation.
- Gabby Hartnett — The Hall of Fame catcher hit the famous “Homer in the Gloamin'” in 1938, one of baseball’s most legendary clutch hits.
- Sammy Sosa — The 61-homer season in 1998 captivated the nation and helped revive interest in baseball after the 1994 strike.
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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