Chicago Cubs

Quick Facts

  • Founded: 1876

  • Original Name/City: Chicago White Stockings

  • Current Ballpark: Wrigley Field

  • World Series Titles: 3 (1907, 1908, 2016)

  • Franchise Nicknames: The Cubbies, The North Siders, The Lovable Losers

A History of the Chicago Cubs

As one of the two remaining charter members of the National League, the Chicago Cubs franchise is woven into the very fabric of professional baseball.

The team was established in 1876 as the Chicago White Stockings and was an immediate powerhouse, winning six of the first eleven NL pennants under the leadership of player-manager Cap Anson.

The club cycled through unofficial nicknames like the "Colts" and "Orphans" before a local sportswriter dubbed the youthful team the "Cubs" in 1902. The name stuck, and the team officially adopted it in 1907, just in time for its greatest era. Led by the famed infield trio of Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance, the Cubs won back-to-back World Series championships in 1907 and 1908, a height they would not reach again for more than a century.

In 1916, the team moved into Weeghman Park, which would later be renamed Wrigley Field in 1926. While the team captured several pennants through the 1920s, '30s, and '40s, they failed to win another title.

Their loss in the 1945 World Series marked the beginning of the infamous "Curse of the Billy Goat," a piece of folklore that fans used to explain decades of uncanny and heartbreaking misfortune. For generations, the Cubs were defined by this drought, enduring near-misses like the collapses of 1969 and 1984, and the infamous "Bartman incident" in the 2003 NLCS. The team became known as the "Lovable Losers," beloved for their historic ballpark and devoted fanbase, but synonymous with failure.

Everything changed in the 2010s. After a complete teardown and rebuild under owner Tom Ricketts and executive Theo Epstein, the Cubs assembled a core of exciting young talent. In 2016, this new generation of stars broke the curse in the most dramatic way possible.

After winning 103 games, the Cubs came back from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Cleveland Indians in a thrilling, extra-inning Game 7, capturing their first World Series title in 108 years. The victory set off a city-wide celebration years in the making and forever changed the identity of the franchise from one of lovable futility to champions.

Franchise Timeline

  • 1876: Founded as a charter member of the National League as the Chicago White Stockings.

  • 1890: Unofficially renamed the Chicago Colts.

  • 1898: Unofficially renamed the Chicago Orphans.

  • 1903: First referred to as the Chicago Cubs; name is officially adopted in 1907.

  • 1907: Won first World Series.

  • 1908: Won second World Series.

  • 1916: Moved into Weeghman Park (renamed Wrigley Field in 1926).

  • 1945: Lost the World Series, beginning a 108-year championship drought.

  • 2016: Won third World Series, breaking the infamous "curse."

Legendary Cubs Players

Ernie Banks (1953-1971)

  • Known affectionately as "Mr. Cub," Banks was the franchise's heart and soul for two decades. A two-time National League MVP and first-ballot Hall of Famer, he was renowned for his powerful bat, slick fielding, and unbridled optimism, famously saying, "Let's play two!" despite playing his entire career without a single postseason appearance.

Ryne Sandberg (1982-1997)

  • "Ryno" defined the second base position for a generation. A nine-time Gold Glove winner and the 1984 NL MVP, Sandberg was a rare blend of power, speed, and defense. His "Sandberg Game" in 1984, where he homered twice late to tie a nationally televised game, remains one of the most iconic performances in team history.

Ferguson Jenkins (1966-1973, 1982-1983)

  • The anchor of the Cubs' pitching staff during the late 1960s and early '70s, Jenkins was a model of durability and excellence. The Canadian-born right-hander won the 1971 NL Cy Young Award and strung together an incredible six consecutive seasons of 20 or more wins, a feat unmatched in that era.

Anthony Rizzo (2012-2021)

  • More than just a great first baseman, Rizzo was the emotional leader of the team that broke the curse. He was one of the first building blocks of the championship core and was beloved for his leadership in the clubhouse and his clutch hitting. He famously secured the final out of the 2016 World Series, putting the ball in his back pocket as a treasured souvenir for a city and its fans.