Chicago Cubs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chicago Cubs
2025 Chicago Cubs season
Established in 1870
Team logo Cap insignia
Major league affiliations
National League (1876–present) Central Division (1994–present) East Division (1969–1993) National Association (1871–1875)
Current uniform
Retired numbers	10 14 23 26 31 31 42
Colors
Blue, red, white
Name
Chicago Cubs (1903–present) Chicago Orphans (1898–1902) Chicago Colts (1890–1897) Chicago White Stockings (1871–1889)
Other nicknames
The Cubbies The North Siders The North Side Nine The Boys in Blue The Lovable Losers
Ballpark
Wrigley Field (1916–present) 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) Lake Park (1871) Ogden Park and Dexter Park (1870)
Major league titles
World Series titles (3)	1907 1908 2016
NL Pennants (17)	1876 1880 1881 1882 1885 1886 1906 1907 1908 1910 1918 1929 1932 1935 1938 1945 2016
NA Pennants (1)	1870
Central Division titles (6)	2003 2007 2008 2016 2017 2020
East Division titles (2)	1984 1989
Wild card berths (3)	1998 2015 2018
Front office
Principal owner(s)	Thomas S. Ricketts Laura Ricketts Pete Ricketts Todd Ricketts Joe Ricketts
President of baseball operations	Jed Hoyer
General manager	Carter Hawkins
Manager	Craig Counsell
Mascot(s)	Clark the Cub

The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team from Chicago, USA. They play in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central Division. The Cubs play their home games at Wrigley Field, located on Chicago's North Side. They are one of two MLB teams in Chicago, the other being the American League's Chicago White Sox.

The Cubs started in 1870 as the White Stockings. They are one of the original teams from the National League, which began in 1876. The team has been known as the Chicago Cubs since 1903.

The Cubs have played in 11 World Series throughout their history. The 1906 Cubs won 116 games, which is still a modern record for wins. However, they lost the World Series to the Chicago White Sox. The Cubs won back-to-back World Series championships in 1907 and 1908. They were the first team to play in three World Series in a row and the first to win two.

Most recently, the Cubs won the 2016 National League Championship Series and the 2016 World Series. This ended a 71-year wait for a National League pennant and a 108-year wait for a World Series title. These were the longest droughts in MLB history. Since 1969, the Cubs have made it to the postseason 11 times.

The Cubs are often called "the North Siders" because Wrigley Field is on the north side of Chicago. This is different from the White Sox, whose stadium is on the south side. As of 2024, the Cubs have played the most games in MLB history.

Team History: From White Stockings to Cubs

Early Days of Chicago Baseball

Starting as the White Stockings (1876–1902)

The 1876 White Stockings won the first National League championship.

The Cubs began in 1870 as the Chicago White Stockings. They played their home games at West Side Grounds. Six years later, they became a founding member of the National League (NL).

The owner, William Hulbert, signed star players like pitcher Albert Spalding and infielders Ross Barnes, Deacon White, and Adrian "Cap" Anson. The White Stockings quickly became one of the best teams. Spalding won 47 games, and Barnes led the league in hitting. Chicago won the first National League pennant, which was the top prize back then.

After winning pennants in 1880 and 1881, Hulbert passed away. Spalding, who had stopped playing to start his sporting goods company, took over the team. With Anson as player-manager, the White Stockings won their third straight pennant in 1882. Anson became the game's first true superstar.

In 1885 and 1886, the White Stockings played against the champions of another league, the American Association. These games were like early versions of the World Series. They played the St. Louis Brown Stockings. They tied in 1885, and St. Louis won in 1886. This was the start of a big rivalry that still exists today.

Anson's team won six National League pennants between 1876 and 1886. By 1890, the team was known as the Chicago Colts, or "Anson's Colts." Anson was the first player to get 3,000 career hits. In 1897, Anson left the team after 22 years. Reporters then called the Colts the "Orphans."

After the 1900 season, the American League started as a rival league. A new team on Chicago's south side took the old "White Stockings" nickname, which became the White Sox.

The Cubs Dynasty (1902–1920)

The 1906 Cubs won a record 116 games. They then won back-to-back World Series titles in 1907–08.

In 1902, Jim Hart bought the team from Spalding. The Chicago Daily News started calling the team the "Cubs" in 1902 because of their young players. The name became official five years later.

During this time, known as baseball's dead-ball era, Cubs infielders Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance became famous. A poem by Franklin P. Adams called "Baseball's Sad Lexicon" made them well-known for their double-play skills. Key pitchers included Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown and Ed Reulbach.

With Chance as player-manager from 1905 to 1912, the Cubs won four pennants and two World Series titles. In 1906, they won a record 116 games, but lost the World Series. However, they won the World Series in 1907 and 1908. They were the first team to play in three World Series and the first to win two. The Cubs would not win another World Series until 2016, which was the longest championship drought in North American professional sports.

The 1913 Chicago Cubs team.

In 1914, Albert Lasker became a major owner. He brought in Charles Weeghman, who owned a chain of lunch counters. They moved the team from West Side Grounds to Weeghman Park in 1916. This park was built for another team, the Chicago Whales, just two years earlier. The Cubs still play there today.

In 1918, the Cubs won a pennant in a season shortened by war. They lost the 1918 World Series to the Boston Red Sox. This was Boston's last championship until 2004.

By 1921, William Wrigley Jr., known for chewing gum, became the main owner. William Veeck, Sr. became team president in 1919. Wrigley and Veeck were known as the "Double-Bills."

The Wrigley Family Era (1921–1981)

Pennants and "The Called Shot" (1929–1938)

Hack Wilson, a Hall of Famer, played for the Cubs.

The Cubs logo from 1927–1936.

Under the "Double-Bills," the Cubs won the NL Pennant in 1929. They then won pennants every three years: 1932, 1935, and 1938. However, they lost the World Series each time.

The 1932 series against the Yankees featured Babe Ruth's famous "called shot" at Wrigley Field. In 1930, Hack Wilson had an amazing season, hitting 56 home runs and setting a record with 191 runs-batted-in. That 1930 team had six future Hall of Famers and set a team batting average record of .309.

In 1935, the Cubs won the pennant by winning 21 games in a row in September. The 1938 team had pitcher Dizzy Dean. They won a key late-season game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a walk-off home run by Gabby Hartnett. This play is known as "The Homer in the Gloamin'" in baseball stories.

After Bill Wrigley and Veeck passed away in the early 1930s, P.K. Wrigley, Bill's son, took over. The team struggled after 1938, but the Wrigley family owned the team until 1981.

Cubs logo from 1941–1945.

The "Curse of the Billy Goat" (1945)

A sports curse was supposedly placed on the Cubs in 1945.

The Cubs won another pennant at the end of World War II, finishing 98–56. They lost the 1945 World Series to the Detroit Tigers. The Cubs did not return to the World Series until 2016.

After 1945, the Cubs had many difficult years. From 1947 to 1966, they had only one winning season. Star players like Ernie Banks tried their best, but the team struggled. Poor decisions, like trading future Hall of Famer Lou Brock to the Cardinals, hurt the team.

The "Fall of '69"

Ernie Banks, known as "Mr. Cub."

In the late 1960s, there was new hope with players like Ron Santo, Ferguson Jenkins, and Billy Williams joining Banks. After losing 103 games in 1966, the Cubs had winning records in 1967 and 1968.

In 1969, the Cubs, led by manager Leo Durocher, had a big lead in their division by mid-August. But then, a long losing streak began, and the New York Mets started winning many games. The Cubs lost crucial games, including one where a throwing error by Dick Selma led to a Phillies rally. The Mets ended up winning the division and the World Series. The Cubs finished with a good 92–70 record, but they were remembered for losing a huge lead.

The "June Swoon" (1977–1979)

After 1969, the Cubs had a few more winning seasons but no playoffs. In the 1970s, they became known as "the Lovable Losers." In 1977, the team started strong, leading their division by 8.5 games in June. But they struggled later in the season, going 20–40 after July 31. This pattern of starting strong and then fading became known as the "June Swoon." Many thought it was because the Cubs played so many day games.

P.K. Wrigley passed away in 1977. In 1981, the Wrigley family sold the team to the Chicago Tribune for $20.5 million. This ended the family's 65-year connection with the Cubs.

The Tribune Company Years (1981–2008)

Heartbreak in 1984

Ryne Sandberg, a Hall of Famer, set many records.

After many losing seasons, the Cubs hired Dallas Green as General Manager in 1981. He had led the Phillies to a World Series title. Green made many changes, including bringing in young player Ryne Sandberg.

In 1984, the Cubs were managed by Jim Frey. Green made key trades, bringing in players like Gary Matthews, Bobby Dernier, and pitcher Rick Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe went 16–1 for the Cubs and won the Cy Young Award.

The 1984 team was very strong. Sandberg, who won the NL MVP, and Dernier were called "the Daily Double" by announcer Harry Caray. The team had great defense, pitching, and hitting.

A famous game on June 23, known as "The Sandberg Game," showed how good the Cubs were. Sandberg hit two game-tying home runs against the Cardinals, leading to a comeback win. The Cubs won their division.

In the NLCS, the Cubs easily won the first two games at Wrigley Field against the San Diego Padres. They needed just one more win to reach the World Series. But the Padres won Game 3. In Game 4, Lee Smith gave up a game-winning home run. In Game 5, the Cubs had a 3–0 lead, but an error by Leon "Bull" Durham led to four runs for the Padres. The Cubs lost 6–3 and missed the World Series. This loss ended a great season that brought new fans to the Cubs.

NL East Championship (1989)

Andre Dawson, a 5-time All-Star and 1987 NL MVP.

In 1989, the Cubs, managed by Don Zimmer, won the NL East division again. This was the first full season with night games at Wrigley Field. Key players included Ryne Sandberg, Rick Sutcliffe, and Andre Dawson, along with young stars like Mark Grace and Greg Maddux.

The Cubs faced the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS. After winning one of the first two games at home, the Cubs lost three straight in San Francisco. Bullpen problems and managerial mistakes led to their defeat. Will Clark hit a key home run off Maddux. After this, Maddux started talking into his glove on the mound, a practice common today.

Wild Card Race and Home Run Chase (1998)

Sammy Sosa was a captain for the Chicago Cubs.

The 1998 season started sadly with the death of announcer Harry Caray. The Cubs signed Henry Rodríguez to protect Sammy Sosa in the batting order. Sosa had an amazing season, hitting a record 20 home runs in June. His home run race with Mark McGwire of the Cardinals made them international stars. McGwire finished with 70 homers, but Sosa's 66 homers and .308 average earned him the National League MVP Award.

Pitcher Kerry Wood also had a great rookie season. He tied a major league record with 20 strikeouts in one game. His strong pitching earned him the nickname "Kid K" and the 1998 NL Rookie of the Year award.

The Cubs tied the San Francisco Giants for the Wild Card spot. They won a one-game playoff at Wrigley Field to make the postseason for the first time since 1989. However, the Cubs' hitting struggled in the playoffs. They were swept by Atlanta in the National League Division Series. The home run chase helped bring many fans back to baseball after a strike.

Playoff Push (2001)

Even after losing popular player Grace, the Cubs had a good season in 2001. They made a big trade for Fred McGriff during the season. The Cubs led the wild card race in early September. But a walk-off home run by Preston Wilson stopped their momentum. The team finished 88–74, missing the playoffs. Sosa had one of his best seasons, and Jon Lieber won 20 games.

"Five More Outs" (2003)

The Cubs had high hopes in 2003. They traded for Kenny Lofton and Aramis Ramírez. Strong pitching from Kerry Wood and Mark Prior led the Cubs to win their division for the first time in 14 years.

Kerry Wood, with Mark Prior, led the Cubs' pitching in 2003.

They then beat the Atlanta Braves in a dramatic five-game Division Series. This was the team's first playoff series win since the 1908 World Series.

In the National League Championship Series, the Cubs led the Florida Marlins three games to one. In Game 6 at Wrigley Field, the Cubs led 3–0 in the 8th inning. Then, a famous incident happened. A fan, Steve Bartman, tried to catch a foul ball, stopping Moisés Alou from catching it. Interference was not called. After this, Cubs shortstop Alex Gonzalez made an error, leading to eight runs for the Marlins. The Cubs lost Game 6 and then Game 7, missing the World Series. This incident is seen as a turning point, and the Cubs did not win a playoff game for the next eleven seasons.

Back-to-Back Division Titles (2007–2008)

Alfonso Soriano joined the Cubs in 2007.

After finishing last in 2006, the Cubs improved greatly in 2007. They signed Alfonso Soriano and hired manager Lou Piniella. After a tough start, the Cubs overcame the Milwaukee Brewers to win the NL Central with an 85–77 record. They faced Arizona in the NLDS but were swept in three games.

Carlos Zambrano warming up before a game.

The Cubs won the NL Central again in 2008, making the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time since 1906–08. They acquired pitcher Rich Harden and signed Kosuke Fukudome. The team had the best record in the NL at the All-Star break. Pitcher Carlos Zambrano threw a no-hitter in September. The Cubs finished with a 97–64 record. They played Los Angeles in the NLDS. The Dodgers swept the Cubs, ending their season suddenly once more.

The Ricketts Era (2009–Present)

The Ricketts family bought most of the Cubs in 2009. The team's goal for a third straight division title was affected by less money for player contracts. The Cubs battled the St. Louis Cardinals for first place but were eliminated from the Wild Card race in the final week. Injuries hurt the team in 2009. Despite this, the Cubs had a winning record (83–78) for the third year in a row, which was the first time since 1972.

Rebuilding the Team (2010–2014)

Starlin Castro during his rookie season in 2010.

Rookie Starlin Castro became the starting shortstop in 2010. The team struggled early in the season. Manager Lou Piniella left the team early to care for his sick mother. Mike Quade took over and led the team to a good record for the rest of the year, earning him the manager position.

In December 2010, Cubs broadcaster and former third baseman, Ron Santo, passed away. He was a beloved player and was later elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.

The Cubs finished the 2011 season with a 71–91 record. After the season, new owner Tom Ricketts hired Theo Epstein from the Boston Red Sox as club President. Epstein, known for building championship teams, brought in Jed Hoyer as General Manager and hired Dale Sveum as manager.

The team had a tough 2012 season, losing 101 games. This was expected as Epstein and Hoyer began rebuilding the team with young players. Longtime favorite Kerry Wood retired, and players like Ryan Dempster were traded for minor league prospects. The focus was on developing young players like Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro.

Anthony Rizzo, a key player for the Cubs.

The 2013 season was similar, with another last-place finish. The Cubs traded more players for prospects. Theo Epstein fired manager Dale Sveum after two seasons. The team drafted future MVP Kris Bryant in 2013.

In November 2013, the Cubs hired Rick Renteria as their new manager. The Cubs finished the 2014 season in last place with a 73–89 record. However, players like Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro improved. The Cubs then hired Joe Maddon as manager, and Renteria was let go. The Cubs drafted Kyle Schwarber in 2014.

Hall of Famer Ernie Banks passed away in January 2015. The Cubs wore a special #14 patch on their uniforms that season to honor him.

Championship Run (2015–2019)

In November 2014, the Cubs announced Joe Maddon as their new manager. They also signed free agent pitcher Jon Lester. Many other players were added. Rookies Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, and Kyle Schwarber joined the team. On August 30, Jake Arrieta threw a no-hitter.

The Cubs finished the 2015 season with a 97–65 record, earning a wild card spot. In the 2015 National League Wild Card Game, Arrieta pitched a shutout, and the Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4–0.

The Cubs then defeated the Cardinals in the NLDS, reaching the NLCS for the first time in 12 years. This was the first time the Cubs clinched a playoff series at Wrigley Field. However, they were swept by the New York Mets in four games. After the season, Arrieta won the National League Cy Young Award.

The Cubs celebrate after winning the 2016 World Series.

Before the 2016 season, the Cubs signed Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward, and John Lackey. They also traded for Aroldis Chapman during the season.

The 2016 Champions visited the White House in June 2017.

In 2016, Jake Arrieta threw another no-hitter. Kris Bryant won the MVP award. The Cubs finished with the best record in MLB, winning 103 games. This was their most wins since 1910. The Cubs defeated the San Francisco Giants in the National League Division Series. They then beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games in the National League Championship Series. This was their first NLCS win since 1969.

The Cubs reached their first World Series since 1945. They came back from being down three games to one to defeat the Cleveland Indians in seven games in the 2016 World Series. This was their first World Series win since 1908. On November 4, Chicago held a huge victory parade and rally. Over five million people attended, making it one of the largest gatherings in history.

In 2017, the Cubs struggled in the first half of the season. However, they recovered to win the NL Central. They won a five-game NLDS against the Washington Nationals. For the second year in a row, they faced the Dodgers in the NLCS. This time, the Dodgers defeated the Cubs in five games.

Before the 2018 season, the Cubs signed pitchers Yu Darvish and Brandon Morrow. However, many players, including Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Darvish, faced injuries. The team stayed in first place for most of the season. But a losing streak in September allowed the Milwaukee Brewers to tie them. The Brewers won a tie-breaker game for the division title. The Cubs then lost to the Colorado Rockies in the 2018 National League Wild Card Game.

The Cubs' roster stayed mostly the same for the 2019 season. They led their division at the All-Star Break. But injuries to key players like Javier Báez, Anthony Rizzo, and Kris Bryant hurt the team. A nine-game losing streak in late September ended their playoff chances. The Cubs announced that manager Joe Maddon's contract would not be renewed.

Post-Maddon Years (2020–Present)

On October 24, 2019, the Cubs hired David Ross as their new manager. Ross led the Cubs to a 34–26 record in the 2020 season, which was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Pitcher Yu Darvish had a great season and was runner-up for the NL Cy Young Award. The Cubs won the NL Central but were swept by the Miami Marlins in the Wild Card round.

After the 2020 season, Theo Epstein resigned as president. Jed Hoyer took over as president. Before the 2021 season, the Cubs did not re-sign several players and traded Darvish for prospects. After an 11-game losing streak in mid-2021, the Cubs traded away Javier Báez, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rizzo. This allowed new players like Patrick Wisdom to get more playing time. By the end of the season, only Willson Contreras, Jason Heyward, and Kyle Hendricks remained from the 2016 championship team.

On October 15, 2021, the Cubs hired Carter Hawkins as their new general manager. They signed Marcus Stroman and Yan Gomes. In 2022, the Cubs finished 74–88. Jason Heyward was released, and Willson Contreras left, leaving Kyle Hendricks as the only player from the 2016 team.

In 2023, the Cubs signed Dansby Swanson and Cody Bellinger. They also added other veterans. Despite low expectations, the Cubs had an 8-game winning streak in July. This led them to acquire Jeimer Candelario and José Cuas at the trade deadline. The team scored 36 runs in back-to-back games, a feat not seen since 1897. The Cubs were close to a wild-card spot but lost 15 of their last 22 games and missed the playoffs. They finished with an 83–79 record.

On November 6, 2023, the Cubs fired Ross and hired Craig Counsell as their new manager.

Wrigley Field: The Friendly Confines

Home of the Cubs

Wrigley Field (exterior) during the 2016 World Series

Wrigley Field (interior) during the 2016 World Series

The Cubs have played their home games at Wrigley Field, also known as "The Friendly Confines," since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park. The Cubs also shared the park with the Chicago Bears football team for 50 years. Wrigley Field is famous for its manual scoreboard, ivy-covered brick walls, and smaller field size.

Wrigley Field is in Chicago's Lake View neighborhood. The area around the ballpark is called Wrigleyville. It has many sports bars and restaurants. Many apartment buildings around Wrigley Field have built bleachers on their rooftops for fans to watch games. One building has a sign that says "Eamus Catuli!" which means "Let's Go Cubs!" in Latin. On game days, residents often rent out their yards for parking. The unique neighborhood is a big part of the Chicago Cubs' culture.

In 2013, the Cubs' owners announced plans for a five-year, $575 million renovation of Wrigley Field. This project, called the 1060 Project, included big improvements to the stadium. It added a large video screen in left field and another in right field. It also included plans for a hotel, plaza, and shops nearby. The city approved the project in July 2013. The renovations began after the 2014 season.

The Bleacher Bums

The "Bleacher Bums" are fans who sit in the bleacher section at Wrigley Field. They are known for cheering loudly and sometimes teasing opposing players. They were called "bums" because they attended most games, which were all day games before lights were added. People joked they must not have jobs.

The group started in 1967. One tradition they began was throwing back home run balls hit by the opposing team. A 1977 Broadway play called Bleacher Bums was based on these Cub fans.

Cubs Culture and Traditions

The "W" Flag

Cubs Win Flag

Cubs Lose Flag

Since 1937, a flag with either a "W" (for win) or an "L" (for loss) has flown from the scoreboard at Wrigley Field. This shows the result of the day's game. If there's a doubleheader and the Cubs split the games, both flags are flown.

Originally, the "W" flag was blue with a white "W," and the "L" flag was white with a blue "L." In 1990, the colors changed to what we see today: white with a blue "W" and blue with a white "L." This matched the colors of the retired numbers flags.

Today, fans often bring the white-with-blue-W flags to games and wave them after a Cubs win. The phrase "Fly the W!" is also popular among fans and on social media.

Team Mascots

Clark (left) with the Oriole Bird.

The official Cubs team mascot is a young bear cub named Clark. He is described as a friendly cub. Clark first appeared on January 13, 2014. Before Clark, the Cubs did not have an official physical mascot. The bear cub has been a symbol for the team since the early 1900s.

An unofficial but well-known fan is Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers. He is famous for his unique cheers at games, often ending with "Woo!" Longtime announcer Harry Caray called him "Leather Lungs" because he could shout for hours. Ronnie is not employed by the team, but he is allowed to interact with fans at the park.

Cubs Music

In 1969, a song called "Hey Hey! Holy Mackerel! (The Cubs Song)" became popular locally. Its lyrics used phrases from the Cubs' TV and radio announcers.

The song "Go, Cubs, Go!" by Steve Goodman was recorded in 1984. It became a popular Cubs song. Goodman passed away shortly before the Cubs won their division title that year. Since 2007, the song has been played over the loudspeakers after every Cubs home victory.

In 2007, Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder wrote a song for the team called "All the Way." Vedder, a Chicago native, is a lifelong Cubs fan.

An album called Take Me Out to a Cubs Game was released in 2008. It includes songs and recordings related to the team, like Harry Caray's last performance of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

Cubs in Popular Culture

• The 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off shows a Cubs game.
• The 1989 film Back to the Future Part II showed the Chicago Cubs winning the 2015 World Series. This would have ended their long championship drought. In real life, the Cubs made it to the NLCS in 2015 but were swept by the New York Mets.
• The 1993 film Rookie of the Year is about a 12-year-old Cubs fan named Henry Rowengartner. He gains the ability to pitch over 100 mph and joins the Cubs. After the Cubs won the 2016 World Series, the actor who played Henry tweeted a picture of his character holding a Cubs World Series ring.

Tinker to Evers to Chance

"Baseball's Sad Lexicon" is a famous 1910 poem by Franklin Pierce Adams. It's about the talented Chicago Cubs infield of shortstop Joe Tinker, second baseman Johnny Evers, and first baseman Frank Chance. The poem is from the point of view of a New York Giants fan who is sad to see the Cubs' great double play combination.

Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance are the three Cubs described in the poem.

The poem helped Tinker, Evers, and Chance become even more popular. It is credited with their elections to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946.

Team Rivalries

Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals–Cubs rivalry is one of the biggest in baseball. It's also called the Downstate Illinois rivalry or the I-55 Series because both cities are along Interstate 55. The Cubs lead the overall series in wins. However, the Cardinals have won more National League pennants and World Series titles.

Many fans travel between Busch Stadium in St. Louis and Wrigley Field in Chicago for games. When the National League split into divisions, the Cardinals and Cubs stayed in the same division. This has made their pennant races even more exciting. The two teams have played each other once in the postseason, in the 2015 National League Division Series, which the Cubs won.

Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers

The Cubs also have a rivalry with the Milwaukee Brewers. This is known as the I-94 rivalry because their ballparks are close to Interstate 94. The closeness of the two cities and the existing Bears-Packers football rivalry have made the Cubs-Brewers rivalry very strong. In 2018, the teams played a special Game 163 to decide the division title, which Milwaukee won.

Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox

The Cubs have a long-standing rivalry with their crosstown rivals, the Chicago White Sox. This rivalry is called the Wintrust Crosstown Cup, Crosstown Classic, or Red Line Series. It's about which team is best in Chicago. The terms "North Siders" (Cubs) and "South Siders" (White Sox) refer to where their stadiums are located in the city.

This rivalry goes back a long time, even before regular interleague play. Their only postseason meeting was in the 1906 World Series. It was the first World Series between two teams from the same city. The White Sox won the series 4 games to 2, even though the Cubs were heavily favored. The White Sox currently lead the regular season series.

Team Uniforms

Home Uniforms

The Cubs wear white uniforms with blue pinstripes at home. This design started in 1957. The uniform has the Cubs logo on the left chest and blue numbers. A patch with the cub head logo was added to the left sleeve in 1962. The patch has changed slightly over the years, with the current "walking cub" logo appearing in 1997. The uniform has also changed from zippers to buttons.

Road Uniforms

The Cubs' gray road uniform has been used since 1997. It has "Chicago" written in blue letters with white outlines across the chest. The numbers on the front are red with white outlines. The back of the uniform has player names in blue with white outlines and numbers in red with white outlines. This uniform also has the "walking cub" patch on the left sleeve.

Alternate Uniforms

The Cubs also have a blue alternate uniform. The current design, from 1997, has the "walking cub" logo on the left chest. It has red letters and numbers with white outlines. These blue uniforms are usually worn for road games.

In 2025, the Cubs introduced a new light blue home alternate uniform. It is inspired by Chicago's history of blues music. This uniform has a special Cubs logo and a guitar pick logo with the city name on the sleeve. It is usually worn during Friday day home games in the summer.

Most Cubs uniforms are worn with an all-blue cap that has a red "C" outlined in white. In 2024, Motorola Mobility became the Cubs' first uniform sponsor, with their logo on the sleeve.

City Connect Uniforms

Since 2021, MLB and Nike have created "City Connect" uniforms. These uniforms are designed to show off each city's unique community. The Cubs' City Connect uniform is navy blue with light blue accents. It features the "Wrigleyville" name, inspired by the Wrigley Field marquee. The cap has a "C" monogram with a red six-pointed star inside. The left sleeve patch includes the team name and a special Chicago city flag design. The Cubs wore these uniforms until 2024.

Past Uniform Designs

The Cubs have had many different uniform designs over the years. Early uniforms used a "standing cub" logo or a "wishbone C" mark. Colors were often navy blue and red.

After 1957, the road uniforms changed often. They went from gray with different city names to powder blue with pinstripes. From 1982 to 1989, the Cubs wore blue tops with white pants for road games. In 1990, they returned to gray button-up uniforms.

Kris Bryant in the current home uniform; Cody Bellinger in the current road uniform; Javier Báez in the current alternate road uniform; Mark Prior wearing the road red-brimmed blue cap (now retired); Aaron Miles in the alternate home uniform (now retired).

Cubs players wearing the pinstriped pullover home uniform in 1988 with President Ronald Reagan; 1990 road uniform worn by Paul Assenmacher with the All-Star Game patch; Phil Regan in 1969 wearing the pinstriped home uniform; Harry Chiti in 1953 wearing the road uniform.

Playoffs and Championships

The Chicago Cubs have a rich history in the playoffs. They have won three World Series titles.

• Before 1969, divisions did not exist in MLB. The Chicago Cubs played in the National League East (1969–1993) and then the National League Central (1994–present).
• Before 1995, only two divisions existed in each league. The Division Series was added when the league realigned into three divisions and the wild card was introduced.
• Before 1969, the National League champion was the team with the best record at the end of the regular season.
• MLB does not recognize World Series played before 1903.
• The 2020 season was shortened to 60 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The playoff structure changed to allow eight teams per league, with all playing a best-of-three Wild Card Series.

Team Achievements and Awards

No-Hitters and Perfect Games

Throughout their history, 15 different Cubs pitchers have thrown no-hitters. However, no Cubs pitcher has ever thrown a perfect game.

Team Value Rankings

As of 2020, the Chicago Cubs are ranked as the 17th most valuable sports team in the world. They are 14th in the United States and fourth in MLB. In Chicago, they are tied for second with the Bulls.

Retired Numbers

Ron Santo.

Billy Williams.

Ferguson Jenkins.

Kiki Cuyler.

Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown.

The Chicago Cubs honor their retired numbers on flags flying from the foul poles at Wrigley Field. The only exception is Jackie Robinson's number 42, which was retired by all MLB clubs.

• 10 - Ron Santo (Third Baseman)
• 14 - Ernie Banks (Shortstop, First Baseman)
• 23 - Ryne Sandberg (Second Baseman)
• 26 - Billy Williams (Left Fielder)
• 31 - Ferguson Jenkins (Pitcher)
• 31 - Greg Maddux (Pitcher)
• 42 - Jackie Robinson (Second Baseman) - Retired by all MLB teams.

Hall of Famers

Many great players and managers who were part of the Chicago Cubs have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Cubs Hall of Fame

In August 2021, the Cubs brought back their own Hall of Fame exhibit. It includes members from previous team halls of fame and recent Cubs who entered the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The 2021 class also inducted Margaret Donahue, a team executive. The exhibit is located at Wrigley Field.

Major Awards Won by Cubs Players

• Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award:
  • 1911 – Frank Schulte
  • 1929 – Rogers Hornsby
  • 1935 – Gabby Hartnett
  • 1945 – Phil Cavarretta
  • 1952 – Hank Sauer
  • 1958 – Ernie Banks
  • 1959 – Ernie Banks
  • 1984 – Ryne Sandberg
  • 1987 – Andre Dawson
  • 1998 – Sammy Sosa
  • 2016 – Kris Bryant

• Cy Young Award (Best Pitcher):
  • 1971 – Ferguson Jenkins
  • 1979 – Bruce Sutter
  • 1984 – Rick Sutcliffe
  • 1992 – Greg Maddux
  • 2015 – Jake Arrieta

• Rookie of the Year:
  • 1961 – Billy Williams
  • 1962 – Ken Hubbs
  • 1989 – Jerome Walton
  • 1998 – Kerry Wood
  • 2008 – Geovany Soto
  • 2015 – Kris Bryant

Minor League Teams

The Chicago Cubs have a system of seven minor league teams where young players develop their skills.

• Triple-A: Iowa Cubs (Des Moines, Iowa)
• Double-A: Knoxville Smokies (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• High-A: South Bend Cubs (South Bend, Indiana)
• Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)
• Rookie League: ACL Cubs (Mesa, Arizona), DSL Cubs Blue and DSL Cubs Red (Boca Chica, Dominican Republic)

Spring Training History

The Cubs, then called the Chicago White Stockings, started spring training in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1886. This was to help players get fit before the season. Other teams soon followed this idea.

The Cubs' current spring training home is Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. It opened in 2014 and is the largest spring training facility in MLB, seating 15,000 fans. Before Sloan Park, the team played at HoHoKam Park from 1979. The Cubs have trained in Mesa for most seasons since 1952.

The Cubs also trained on Santa Catalina Island, California from 1922 to 1951. The team's owner, William Wrigley Jr., had a big interest in the island. He built a ballpark there with the same dimensions as Wrigley Field.

Cubs Media

Radio Broadcasts

Cubs radio games are broadcast by Entercom. Since 2016, games have aired on WSCR, an all-sports station. The play-by-play announcer is Pat Hughes, who has been with the team since 1996. He is joined by Ron Coomer.

Television Broadcasts

Harry Caray, a famous Cubs broadcaster.

Since 2020, most Cubs games are shown on Marquee Sports Network. This is a channel created by the team and Sinclair Broadcast Group.

WGN-TV had a long history of broadcasting Cubs games, from 1948 until 2019. For a while, WGN's Cubs games were shown nationally. From 2015 to 2019, WLS-TV also aired some Cubs games.

Since 2021, Jon Sciambi is the main TV play-by-play announcer for the Cubs. He is joined by analysts like Jim Deshaies, Ryan Dempster, Joe Girardi, or Rick Sutcliffe.

Ford C. Frick Award Winners

The Ford C. Frick Award is given to baseball broadcasters for their contributions. Several Cubs broadcasters have received this honor:

• Jack Brickhouse
• Harry Caray
• Bob Elson
• Milo Hamilton
• Pat Hughes

Images for kids

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  Ron Santo

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  Billy Williams

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  Ferguson Jenkins

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  Kiki Cuyler

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  Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown

See also

In Spanish: Chicago Cubs para niños