History of Chicago Cubs in Timeline
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois, competing in Major League Baseball's National League Central Division. Founded in 1870 and known as the Cubs since 1903, they are one of the two remaining National League charter franchises. They play their home games at Wrigley Field, located on Chicago's North Side, and are one of two major league teams in Chicago, along with the White Sox.
1900: Formation of American Base-Ball League
After the 1900 season, the American Base-Ball League formed as a rival professional league, and the club's old White Stockings nickname was adopted by a new American League neighbor to the south.
1901: Modern Era Pennants
Since 1901, which marks the beginning of Major League Baseball's Modern Era, the Chicago Cubs have won 11 National League pennants.
1902: Tinker, Evers, and Chance Begin Playing Together
In 1902, Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance began playing together with the Cubs, forming a double-play combination.
1903: Spring training in Los Angeles
In 1903, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Los Angeles.
1903: Chicago Cubs Name
In 1903, the Chicago baseball team was officially named the Chicago Cubs.
1905: Chance as Player-Manager
From 1905 to 1912, Frank Chance acted as player-manager for the Cubs.
1905: Spring training in Santa Monica, California
In 1905, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Santa Monica, California.
1906: World Series
In 1906, the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox played in the World Series, marking the first World Series between teams from the same city. The White Sox won the series 4 games to 2, despite the Cubs winning a record 116 games during the regular season.
1906: Cubs record 116 victories but lose World Series
In 1906, the Chicago Cubs recorded a record 116 victories and the best winning percentage (.763) in Major League history, but lost the World Series to the White Sox.
1906: Cubs win 116 games but lose World Series
In 1906, the Chicago Cubs won 116 games with a .763 winning percentage, but lost the World Series to the Chicago White Sox.
1906: Postseason Appearance
The Chicago Cubs went to the postseason for the first time since 1906.
1907: Spring training in New Orleans
In 1907, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in New Orleans.
1907: Cubs win the World Series
In 1907, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series, marking their first championship in the modern era.
1908: Cubs win back-to-back World Series
In 1908, the Chicago Cubs won their second consecutive World Series, becoming the first major league team to play in three consecutive World Series.
1908: Last World Series Win
In 2003, the Chicago Cubs won their first postseason series since the 1908 World Series, when they defeated the Detroit Tigers.
1908: First World Series Win Since 1908
In 2016, The Cubs won their first World Series win since 1908.
1908: Cubs Celebrate 100th Anniversary of World Series Victory
The year 2008 marked the 100th anniversary of the Cubs' 1908 World Series victory, which was celebrated with the release of the album "Take Me Out to a Cubs Game".
1909: Johnny Kling Leaves Team
In 1909, veteran catcher Johnny Kling left the Chicago Cubs to become a professional pocket billiards player, which may have impacted the team's performance.
1909: Whittington Park
Whittington Park, Majestic Park(1909) and Fogel Field (1912) were all built in Hot Springs specifically to host Major League teams.
July 18, 1910: Baseball's Sad Lexicon Poem
On July 18, 1910, Franklin P. Adams' poem "Baseball's Sad Lexicon" first appeared in the New York Evening Mail, immortalizing Cub infielders Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance.
1910: "Baseball's Sad Lexicon" Poem Published
In 1910, Franklin Pierce Adams wrote the baseball poem "Baseball's Sad Lexicon", also known as "Tinker to Evers to Chance", from the point of view of a New York Giants fan seeing the talented Chicago Cubs infield complete a double play.
1910: Cubs Win Pennant
In 1910, Johnny Kling returned to the team, and the Chicago Cubs won the pennant but lost to the Philadelphia Athletics in the World Series.
1910: Most Wins Since 1910
In 2016, the Cubs won 103 total games, the most wins for the franchise since 1910.
1911: Spring training in New Orleans
In 1911, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in New Orleans.
April 1912: Tinker, Evers, and Chance Play Last Game Together
In April 1912, Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance played their last game together for the Cubs.
July 12, 1912: "Baseball's Sad Lexicon" First Published
On July 12, 1912, the poem "Baseball's Sad Lexicon" was first published in the New York Evening Mail.
1912: End of Chance as Player-Manager
From 1905 to 1912, Frank Chance acted as player-manager for the Cubs.
1912: Spring training in New Orleans
In 1912, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in New Orleans.
1912: Fogel Field
Whittington Park, Majestic Park(1909) and Fogel Field (1912) were all built in Hot Springs specifically to host Major League teams.
1914: Albert Lasker Obtains Shares
In 1914, advertising executive Albert Lasker obtained a large block of the Chicago Cubs' shares.
1914: Construction of Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Whales.
1916: Lasker Assumes Majority Ownership
Before the 1916 season, Albert Lasker assumed majority ownership of the Chicago Cubs franchise.
1916: Bill Wrigley Acquires Stock in Cubs
Beginning in 1916, Bill Wrigley acquired an increasing quantity of stock in the Chicago Cubs.
1916: Cubs Home at Wrigley Field
In 1916, the Cubs began playing their home games at Wrigley Field.
1917: Spring training in Pasadena, California
In 1917, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Pasadena, California.
1918: Cubs win Pennant and lose World Series to Red Sox
In 1918, the Chicago Cubs won a pennant but lost the World Series to the Boston Red Sox, contributing to the Red Sox's long championship drought.
1919: Bill Veeck, Sr. Begins Tenure as Team President
In 1919, Bill Veeck, Sr. began his tenure as team president for the Chicago Cubs.
1919: Wrigley buys interest in Catalina Island
In 1919, Cubs owner William Wrigley Jr. acquired a majority interest in Catalina Island and constructed a ballpark there for the Cubs' spring training. The ballpark was built to the same dimensions as Wrigley Field and was named Wrigley Field of Avalon.
1921: Bill Wrigley Becomes Majority Owner
In 1921, Bill Wrigley became the majority owner of the Chicago Cubs.
1921: Spring training in Pasadena, California
In 1921, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Pasadena, California.
1922: Spring training in Santa Catalina Island, California
In 1922, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Santa Catalina Island, California.
1926: Cardinals Pennants
Since 1926, the St. Louis Cardinals have won all 19 of their National League pennants.
1929: Cubs win NL Pennant
In 1929, the Chicago Cubs won the National League Pennant.
1930: Hack Wilson's Historic Season
In 1930, Hack Wilson of the Chicago Cubs had one of the most impressive seasons in MLB history, hitting 56 home runs and establishing the current runs-batted-in record of 191.
1932: Death of Bill Veeck
In 1932, Bill Veeck, Sr., team president, died.
1932: Cubs win NL Pennant
In 1932, the Chicago Cubs won the National League Pennant, facing the Yankees in the World Series where Babe Ruth made his famous "called shot".
1933: Death of Bill Wrigley
In 1933, Bill Wrigley, majority owner, died and his son P.K. Wrigley took over as majority owner of the Chicago Cubs.
1935: Cubs Win NL Pennant with Record Winning Streak
In 1935, the Chicago Cubs claimed the National League pennant, winning a record 21 games in a row in September.
1935: 100-Win Mark
In 2016, the team reached the 100-win mark for the first time since 1935.
1937: Flag System Established
Beginning in 1937, a flag with either a "W" or an "L" was flown from atop the scoreboard masthead, indicating the day's result(s) when baseball was played at Wrigley.
1938: "Homer in the Gloamin'" and Pennant Win
In 1938, Gabby Hartnett hit a walk-off home run known as "The Homer in the Gloamin'", and the Chicago Cubs won the National League pennant.
1938: Last Cubs Baseball Success for Wrigley
In 1938, the Cubs experienced their last baseball success under Bill Wrigley's ownership.
1942: Spring training in Santa Catalina Island, California
In 1942, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Santa Catalina Island, California.
1945: Cubs Lose 1945 World Series
In 1945, the Chicago Cubs lost the World Series to the Detroit Tigers and would not return to the World Series until 2016.
1945: First World Series Appearance Since 1945
In 2016, the win earned the Cubs their first World Series appearance since 1945.
1945: Cavarretta key player during the 1945 season
Longtime infielder-manager Phil Cavarretta, who had been a key player during the 1945 season
1946: Tinker, Evers, and Chance Elected to Hall of Fame
In 1946, Tinker, Evers, and Chance were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, partly due to the increased popularity from the poem "Baseball's Sad Lexicon".
1946: Spring training in Santa Catalina Island, California
In 1946, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Santa Catalina Island, California.
1947: Start of Forgettable Baseball Decade
From 1947 to 1966, the Chicago Cubs played mostly forgettable baseball, consistently finishing among the worst teams in the National League.
1947: Spring training in Santa Catalina Island, California
In 1947, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Santa Catalina Island, California.
1948: WGN-TV airs Cubs games
In 1948, WGN-TV began airing Chicago Cubs games through its WGN Sports department.
1948: Spring training in Los Angeles
In 1948, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Los Angeles.
1949: Spring training in Los Angeles
In 1949, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Los Angeles.
1950: Spring training in Santa Catalina Island, California
In 1950, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Santa Catalina Island, California.
1951: Spring training in Santa Catalina Island, California
In 1951, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Santa Catalina Island, California.
1952: Spring training in Mesa
In 1952, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Mesa at Rendezvous Park.
1954: Phil Cavarretta Fired
In 1954, Phil Cavarretta was fired during spring training after admitting that the team was unlikely to finish above fifth place.
1957: Home uniform debut
In 1957, the Chicago Cubs debuted the first version of their pinstriped white home uniform, featuring the Cubs logo on the left chest, blue pinstripes, and blue numbers.
1957: First version of current home uniform
In 1957, the Chicago Cubs unveiled the first version of what later became their current home uniform.
1959: All-blue cap debut
In 1959, the Chicago Cubs first wore an all-blue cap with the red "C" outlined in white, which is paired with the primary home, primary road and alternate road uniform designs.
1960: Chicago Cardinals relocation
In 1960, the Chicago Cardinals of the NFL relocated, leaving only two franchises in one major sports league in Chicago, solidifying the rivalry between the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox.
1962: Cub head logo added to sleeves
In 1962, the Chicago Cubs added a cub head logo to the sleeves of their road uniform, with several alterations coming afterward.
1962: Sleeve patch added
In 1962, the Chicago Cubs added a left sleeve patch featuring the cub head logo to their home uniform.
1965: Spring training in Mesa
In 1965, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Mesa at Rendezvous Park.
1966: End of Forgettable Baseball Decade
From 1947 to 1966, the Chicago Cubs played mostly forgettable baseball, consistently finishing among the worst teams in the National League.
1966: Spring training in Long Beach, California
In 1966, the Chicago Cubs held spring training in Long Beach, California at Blair Field.
1966: Cubs Lose 103 Games
In 1966, the Chicago Cubs lost a dismal 103 games.
1966: Worst Record Since 1966
In 2012, the Cubs lost 101 games, the worst record since 1966.
1967: The Bleacher Bums Group is Founded
In 1967, the group known as the "Bleacher Bums" was started by dedicated fans Ron Grousl, Tom Nall and "mad bugler" Mike Murphy. The group got its name from the fact that they attended most of the day games at Wrigley Field.
1969: Following Season of Losing Division
Following the losing of division in 1969 season, the club posted winning records for the next few seasons, but no playoff action.
1969: Brewers-White Sox rivalry
From 1969 to 1997, there was a rivalry between the Milwaukee Brewers, then in the American League, and the Chicago White Sox.
1969: "Hey Hey! Holy Mackerel! (The Cubs Song)" Released
In 1969, a Chicago studio group produced a single record called "Hey Hey! Holy Mackerel! (The Cubs Song)", which incorporated the catch-phrases of the Cubs' TV and radio announcers, Jack Brickhouse and Vince Lloyd.
1969: Red trim removed
In 1969, the Chicago Cubs removed the red trim from their road uniform, and chest numbers were added.
1969: Start of Divisional Play
In 1969, the Chicago Cubs started playing in divisional play.
1969: Cubs lead National League Eastern Division but collapse
In 1969, the Chicago Cubs, managed by Leo Durocher, built a substantial lead in the newly created National League Eastern Division by mid-August but ultimately collapsed, losing the division to the New York Mets.
1969: First NLCS Win Since 1969
In 2016, the Cubs had their first NLCS win since the series was created in 1969.
1969: Home-field Advantage Rotation
Since 1969, when the league expanded, home-field advantage in the NLCS had rotated between the winners of the East and West divisions.
1972: Pullover switch
In 1972, the Chicago Cubs switched to pullovers for their road uniform. The road uniform remained gray, but the chest numbers were moved to the middle before returning to the left side the following year.
1972: Winning Record Streak
In 2009, the Cubs posted a winning record for the third consecutive season, the first time the club had done so since 1972.
1972: Reference to Milt Pappas' No-Hitter
In 2024, the combined no-hitter on September 4 was the first no-hitter at Wrigley Field since Milt Pappas did so in 1972.
1974: Fictional World Series Matchup
In 1974, the television show Kolchak: The Night Stalker depicted a fictional World Series matchup between the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox in Season 1 Episode 3.
1976: Powder blue base
In 1976, the Chicago Cubs changed their road uniform to a powder blue base.
1976: First Hohokam Park built
In 1976, the first Hohokam Park was built as the spring-training home of the Oakland Athletics.
1977: William Wrigley Dies
In 1977, William Wrigley, owner of the Chicago Cubs, passed away.
1977: "Bleacher Bums" Play Premieres
In 1977, a Broadway play called Bleacher Bums, starring Joe Mantegna, Dennis Farina, Dennis Franz, and James Belushi, debuted based on a group of Cub fans who frequented the club's games.
1977: Cubs Experience Collapse
In 1977, the Chicago Cubs experienced one of their biggest collapses, losing their lead in the NL East.
1978: Lights Added to Scoreboard
In 1978, blue and white lights were mounted atop the scoreboard, denoting "win" and "loss" respectively, for the benefit of nighttime passers-by.
1978: Pinstripes added
In 1978, the Chicago Cubs added pinstripes to their powder blue road uniform.
1979: HoHoKam Park
From 1979 until 2014, the Chicago Cubs played spring training games at HoHoKam Park – Dwight Patterson Field.
1979: Rick Sutcliffe, NL Rookie of the Year
In 1979, Rick Sutcliffe was named the National League Rookie of the Year.
1979: "Thanks Mr. Banks" Released
In 1979, Roger Bain released a 45 rpm record of his song "Thanks Mr. Banks", to honor "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks.
1979: Athletics leave Hohokam Park
In 1979, the Oakland Athletics left the first Hohokam Park.
1979: Uniform patch update
In 1979, the cub head logo on the Chicago Cubs' uniform patch was tweaked to include a red circle and an angrier expression.
1980: Dallas Green managed Phillies to World Series title
In 1980, Dallas Green managed the Philadelphia Phillies to a World Series title.
1981: Cubs Hire GM Dallas Green
In 1981, the Chicago Cubs hired Dallas Green from Philadelphia to serve as the team's General Manager.
1981: Wrigley Family Retains Control
In 1981, the Wrigley family retained control of the team.
1981: Wrigley Family Sells Cubs to Chicago Tribune
In 1981, the Wrigley family sold the Chicago Cubs to the Chicago Tribune for $20.5 million, ending their 65-year ownership of the team.
1982: Blue tops
From 1982 to 1989, the Chicago Cubs wore blue tops with plain white pants for road games, featuring the primary Cubs logo in front and red letters with white trim.
1982: Cubs Hall of Fame established
In 1982, the Chicago Cubs first established a Cubs Hall of Fame, inducting 41 members in the next four years.
1982: Cardinals Had Home-Field Advantage
In the 1982 World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals of the National League had home-field advantage.
1983: Steve Stone analyst
In 1983, Steve Stone began his analyst career for the Chicago Cubs booth.
1983: NL East had Home-Field Advantage
In 1983, the NL East winners had home-field advantage in the NLCS.
1984: "Go, Cubs, Go!" Recorded
Early in the 1984 season, Steve Goodman recorded the song "Go, Cubs, Go!", which was frequently heard that season. Goodman died in September of that year.
1984: Transactions to Shore up Roster
In 1984, Richie Hebner was signed as a free agent. Additionally, LF Gary Matthews and CF Bobby Dernier came from Philadelphia on March 26, for Bill Campbell and a minor leaguer, and reliever Tim Stoddard was acquired for a minor leaguer. Veteran pitcher Ferguson Jenkins was released.
1984: Cubs Lose NLCS to Padres
In 1984, after winning the first two games, the Chicago Cubs lost the National League Championship Series to the San Diego Padres after losing three straight games in San Diego, failing to advance to the World Series against the Detroit Tigers.
1984: NLCS Format in 1984
In 1984, each league had two divisions, East and West. The divisional winners met in a best-of-5 series in a "2–3" format to advance to the World Series.
1984: Cubs Starting Lineup
In 1984, the Chicago Cubs had a strong starting lineup, including LF Matthews, C Jody Davis, RF Keith Moreland, SS Larry Bowa, 1B Leon "Bull" Durham, CF Dernier, 3B Ron Cey, Closer Lee Smith, and NL MVP Ryne Sandberg.
1984: Cubs Acquire Rick Sutcliffe
On June 15, 1984, the Chicago Cubs acquired pitcher Rick Sutcliffe from the Cleveland Indians for Joe Carter and Mel Hall. Sutcliffe went on to win the Cy Young Award that year.
1984: Jim Frey Hired as Manager
Prior to the 1984 season, Jim Frey was hired to manage the Chicago Cubs, with Don Zimmer as 3rd base coach and Billy Connors as pitching coach.
1985: Crosstown Classic
From 1985 to 1995, the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox continued their rivalry through exhibition games, known as the Crosstown Classic. The White Sox were undefeated at 10–0–2 during this period.
1985: Comeback Since 1985
In 2016, coming back from a three-games-to-one deficit, the Cubs were the first team to come back from a three-games-to-one deficit since the Kansas City Royals in 1985.
1985: Injuries Derail Promising Season
The 1985 Chicago Cubs season started strong, but injuries to Rick Sutcliffe and other pitchers led to a 13-game losing streak, pushing the Cubs out of contention.
1986: Cubs Game Featured in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
In 1986, the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off showed a game played by the Cubs when Ferris' principal goes to a bar looking for him.
1989: Last Postseason Appearance Since 1945
After splitting the first two games at home, the Chicago 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.
1989: End of blue tops
In 1989, the Chicago Cubs ended the practice of wearing blue tops with plain white pants for road games.
1989: Cubs Lose NLCS to Giants
In 1989, the Chicago Cubs, managed by Don Zimmer and led by veterans like Ryne Sandberg, Rick Sutcliffe and Andre Dawson, and boosted by youngsters such as Mark Grace, Shawon Dunston, Greg Maddux, Rookie of the Year Jerome Walton, and Rookie of the Year Runner-Up Dwight Smith, lost in the NLCS to the San Francisco Giants.
1989: Cubs World Series Win Depicted in "Back to the Future Part II"
In 1989, the film Back to the Future Part II depicted the Chicago Cubs defeating a baseball team from Miami in the 2015 World Series.
1990: Gray uniforms returned
In 1990, the Chicago Cubs returned to wearing gray uniforms with buttons on the road, and went through some cosmetic changes.
1990: Flags get Replaced with Familiar Colors
In 1990, the flags were replaced with the now-familiar colors of the flags: White with blue "W" and blue with white "L".
1992: Arrieta Wins Cy Young Award
After the 2015 season, Arrieta won the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the first Cubs pitcher to win the award since Greg Maddux in 1992.
1993: "Rookie of the Year" Film Released
In 1993, the film Rookie of the Year, directed by Daniel Stern, centered on the Cubs as a team going nowhere into August when the team chances upon 12-year-old Cubs fan Henry Rowengartner, whose right (throwing) arm tendons have healed tightly after a broken arm and granted him the ability to regularly pitch at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).
1994: Blue alternate uniform return
In 1994, the Chicago Cubs reintroduced a blue alternate uniform, incorporating the script "Cubs" wordmark in red minus the chest numbers and the "cute cub" sleeve patch.
1994: Uniform patch change
In 1994, the cub head logo on the Chicago Cubs' uniform patch was changed back to a cuter version.
1994: MLB Strike
The home run chase between Sosa, McGwire and Ken Griffey Jr. in 1998 helped professional baseball to bring in a new crop of fans as well as bringing back some fans who had been disillusioned by the 1994 strike.
1995: "Cubs in Five" Recorded by The Mountain Goats
In 1995, The Mountain Goats recorded a song entitled "Cubs in Five" on its 1995 EP Nine Black Poppies which refers to the seeming impossibility of the Cubs winning a World Series in both its title and chorus.
1995: End of Crosstown Classic series
In 1995, the Crosstown Classic series between the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox ended.
1996: Pat Hughes becomes Cubs play-by-play voice
In 1996, Pat Hughes became the play-by-play voice of the Chicago Cubs.
September 21, 1997: Harry Caray's Final Performance
On September 21, 1997, Harry Caray gave his final performance of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", later included in the album "Take Me Out to a Cubs Game".
1997: "Walking cub" logo
In 1997, the Chicago Cubs changed the sleeve patch on the blue alternate uniform to the "walking cub" logo, which was also incorporated as a sleeve patch on the road uniform.
1997: Alternate uniform introduced
In 1997, the Chicago Cubs introduced a blue alternate uniform featuring the "walking cub" logo on the left chest, along with red letters and numbers with white outlines.
1997: Second Hohokam Park built
In 1997, the second Hohokam Park (Hohokam Stadium) was built.
1997: Road uniform design
Since 1997, the Chicago Cubs' road gray uniform has featured "Chicago" in blue letters outlined in white, along with front numbers in red outlined in white, and the "walking cub" patch on the left sleeve.
1998: Chip Caray play-by-play
In 1998, Chip Caray began his play-by-play career for the Chicago Cubs booth after the death of Harry Caray.
1998: Cubs Walk of Fame paused
In 1998, the Cubs Walk of Fame, which enshrined nine members, was paused.
1998: Yankees' Championship Repeat
In 1998, the Yankees began their streak of winning the World Series for three consecutive years, something the Cubs aimed to emulate in 2017.
1998: Cubs Win Flags Gain Popularity
Starting in 1998, the white-with-blue-W flags became more and more popular each season, with fans carrying them to both home and away games and displaying them after a Cub win.
1998: Cubs Season
The 1998 Chicago Cubs season was marked by the death of Harry Caray, the emergence of Sammy Sosa and Kerry Wood, and a Wild Card chase. Sosa's home run race with Mark McGwire captured national attention.
1999: Cubs Collapse After Fast Start
After a fast start in 1999, the Chicago Cubs collapsed and finished in the bottom of the division for the next two seasons.
1999: FSN Chicago serves as cable rightsholder
From 1999, regional sports network FSN Chicago served as a cable rightsholder for Cubs games not on WGN or MLB's national television outlets.
1999: Yankees' Championship Repeat
In 1999, the Yankees continued their streak of winning the World Series for three consecutive years, something the Cubs aimed to emulate in 2017.
2000: Steve Stone analyst end
In 2000, Steve Stone ended his analyst career for the Chicago Cubs booth.
2000: Yankees' Championship Repeat
In 2000, the Yankees completed their streak of winning the World Series for three consecutive years, something the Cubs aimed to emulate in 2017.
2000: Tokyo Opening Day
The Cubs began their 2000 season in Tokyo against the Mets. It was the second time the Cubs' opening day was at the Tokyo Dome, kicking off the regular season 25 years earlier.
2001: Joe Carter analyst
In 2001, Joe Carter began his analyst career for the Chicago Cubs booth.
2001: Cubs Miss Wild Card
In 2001, despite a strong season from Sammy Sosa and Jon Lieber, the Chicago Cubs missed the wild card, finishing five games behind Houston and St. Louis.
July 5, 2002: Jim Hendry Promoted to General Manager
On July 5, 2002, Jim Hendry was promoted to the General Manager position for the Chicago Cubs.
2003: Steve Stone analyst return
In 2003, Steve Stone returned as an analyst for the Chicago Cubs booth.
2003: Cubs Acquire Lofton and Ramirez, Lead Division
In 2003, the Chicago Cubs traded for Kenny Lofton and Aramis Ramírez and, led by strong pitching from Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, led their division.
2003: Teams break away from FSN Chicago
In 2003, the owners of the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, and Bulls broke away from FSN Chicago.
2004: Chip Caray play-by-play end
In 2004, Chip Caray ended his play-by-play career for the Chicago Cubs booth.
2004: Controversy Surrounds Sammy Sosa
In 2004, Sammy Sosa's controversial actions, including leaving the season's final game early, alienated fans and teammates after his corked-bat incident.
2004: Cubs Miss Playoffs After Late Collapse
In 2004, despite being favored to win the World Series and leading the Wild Card race late in the season, the Chicago Cubs collapsed and missed the playoffs, with the Houston Astros winning the Wild Card.
2004: End of Red Sox Curse
In 2004, the Boston Red Sox won their first World Series since 1918.
2004: Comcast SportsNet Chicago formed
In 2004, the owners of the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, and Bulls partnered with Comcast to form Comcast SportsNet Chicago (CSN Chicago, now NBC Sports Chicago).
2004: Reference to Boston Red Sox
In 2011, Theo Epstein, one of the architects of the 2004 World Series championships in Boston, was signed by the Cubs.
2005: Cubs Struggle Despite Strong Performances
Despite a career year from Derrek Lee and the emergence of Ryan Dempster, the Chicago Cubs struggled in 2005, winning only 79 games.
2005: Len Kasper and Bob Brenly join
In 2005, Len Kasper and Bob Brenly joined the Chicago Cubs booth.
2006: Finished Last in NL Central
In 2006, the Chicago Cubs finished last in the National League Central division with 66 wins.
2006: Cubs Finish Last in Division
In 2006, the Chicago Cubs finished with a 66-96 record, placing last in the National League Central division.
December 2007: Tribune Company Acquired by Sam Zell
In December 2007, the Tribune Company, including the Cubs, was acquired by real-estate mogul Sam Zell.
2007: Eddie Vedder Composes "All the Way"
In 2007, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder composed a song dedicated to the team called "All the Way" at the request of Ernie Banks.
2007: Cubs "Worst to First" Season
In 2007, the Cubs rebounded from a last-place finish to win the NL Central, signing Alfonso Soriano and replacing Dusty Baker with Lou Piniella as manager. Despite some controversies, they clinched the division with an 85-77 record but were swept by Arizona in the NLDS.
2007: Reference to Boston Red Sox
In 2011, Theo Epstein, one of the architects of the 2007 World Series championships in Boston, was signed by the Cubs.
2007: "Go, Cubs, Go!" Becomes Victory Song
Since 2007, the song "Go, Cubs, Go!" has been played over the loudspeakers following each Cubs home victory.
2008: Alternate road cap
From 1994 to 2008, the Chicago Cubs also wore an alternate road blue cap with a red brim.
2008: Eddie Vedder Plays Solo Shows
In 2008, Eddie Vedder played his song "All the Way" live twice at his solo shows at the Chicago Auditorium on August 21 and 22.
2008: Cubs Defend NL Central Title
In 2008, the Cubs defended their National League Central title and made the postseason for the first time since 1906-08. Zambrano pitched a no-hitter on September 14, and the team clinched the division six days later. They ended the season with a 97-64 record but were swept by the Dodgers in the NLDS.
2008: "Take Me Out to a Cubs Game" Album Released
In 2008, the album entitled Take Me Out to a Cubs Game was released in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Cubs' 1908 World Series victory. It is a collection of 17 songs and other recordings related to the team, including Harry Caray's final performance of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" from September 21, 1997.
2008: First NL Central Title Since 2008
In 2016 the Cubs finished with the best record in Major League Baseball and won their first National League Central title since the 2008 season.
August 2009: Cubs Battle Cardinals for First Place
In August 2009, the Cubs and Cardinals engaged in a battle for first place. The Cubs were plagued by injuries, ultimately being eliminated from the Wild Card race in the season's final week.
2009: Blackhawks Adopt "W" Flag Tradition
In 2009, the tradition of flying a "W" flag spilled over to the NHL, as Chicago Blackhawks fans adopted a red and black "W" flag of their own.
2009: Winning Record at Home
In 2014, the Cubs ending the season with a winning record at home for the first time since 2009.
December 3, 2010: Death of Ron Santo
On December 3, 2010, Cubs broadcaster and former third baseman Ron Santo passed away due to complications from bladder cancer and diabetes. He was posthumously elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.
2010: Ron Santo death
In 2010, Ron Santo, former Cubs third baseman and long-time partner of Pat Hughes, died.
2010: Turbulent Season and Managerial Change
In 2010, Rookie Starlin Castro debuted as shortstop. Carlos Zambrano was suspended after a tirade on June 25, and Lou Piniella left the team prematurely on August 22. Mike Quade took over as interim manager, earning the permanent position with a strong finish to the season.
2010: Wrigleyville used for Events
In 2010, the Wrigleyville neighborhood was used for events such as the 2010 NHL Winter Classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings, and an NCAA men's football game between the Northwestern Wildcats and Illinois Fighting Illini.
2011: Dismal Season and New Philosophy
In 2011, despite acquisitions, the Cubs finished 20 games under .500. New owner Tom Ricketts brought in Theo Epstein to lead the team with a new philosophy.
2011: Jed Hoyer joins as General Manager
Jed Hoyer initially joined the team as general manager in 2011. He would remain in the general manager role until he succeeded Theo Epstein in 2020.
2012: Bob Brenly ends
In 2012, Bob Brenly ended his career for the Chicago Cubs booth.
2012: Youth Movement and Dismal Season
In 2012, the Cubs had a dismal season, losing 101 games. The youth movement ushered in by Epstein and Hoyer began, with Kerry Wood retiring and Dempster and Soto being traded.
2012: Ron Santo elected to Hall of Fame
Ron Santo was posthumously elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.
July 2013: Chicago City Council Approves Wrigley Field Renovations
In July 2013, after months of negotiations, the Chicago City Council gave final approval to the Wrigley Field renovation project, following endorsements from the city's Landmarks Commission and the Plan Commission.
July 2013: Billy Cub Asked to Stop Appearing Outside Wrigley
In July 2013, the Chicago Cubs asked Billy Cub, a fan who had been working outside the stadium for over six years, to stop posing for pictures with fans for tips.
September 30, 2013: Firing of Dale Sveum
On September 30, 2013, Theo Epstein fired manager Dale Sveum after two seasons. The regression of several young players was thought to be the main focus point.
November 7, 2013: Hiring of Rick Renteria
On November 7, 2013, the Cubs hired San Diego Padres bench coach Rick Renteria to be the 53rd manager in team history.
November 2013: Cubs terminate broadcast rights with WGN-TV
In November 2013, the Chicago Cubs exercised an option to terminate its existing broadcast rights with WGN-TV after the 2014 season.
2013: Youth Development Focus
In 2012, the development of young players became the primary focus of the season, a philosophy that management said would carry over at least through the 2013 season.
2013: The 1060 Project Unveiled
In 2013, Tom Ricketts and team president Crane Kenney unveiled plans for a five-year, $575 million privately funded renovation of Wrigley Field called the 1060 Project, including improvements to the stadium's facade, infrastructure, restrooms, concourses, and more.
2013: Drafting Kris Bryant
In 2013, the Cubs drafted future Rookie of the Year and MVP Kris Bryant with the second overall selection.
January 13, 2014: Clark the Cub Makes His Debut
On January 13, 2014, Clark, a young bear cub, made his debut at Advocate Health Care and was announced as the Chicago Cubs' first-ever official physical mascot.
October 31, 2014: Release of Rick Renteria
On October 31, 2014, the Cubs relieved Rick Rentería of his managerial duties following the unexpected availability of Joe Maddon.
November 2, 2014: Hiring of Joe Maddon
On November 2, 2014, the Cubs announced that Joe Maddon had signed a five-year contract to be the 54th manager in team history.
December 10, 2014: Signing of Jon Lester
On December 10, 2014, Maddon announced that the team had signed free agent Jon Lester to a six-year, $155 million contract.
2014: Last Playoff Miss Before 2019
2014 was the last time the Cubs had failed to qualify for the playoffs prior to their elimination from contention in 2019.
2014: Wrigley Field Renovation Project Begins
At the conclusion of the 2014 season, the renovation project for Wrigley Field officially commenced.
2014: Ron Coomer joins the booth
In 2014, Ron Coomer became the play-by-play announcer replacing Keith Moreland.
2014: Second gray road uniform
In 2014, the Chicago Cubs wore a second gray road uniform with block "Cubs" lettering with blue piping and red block numbers, but it only lasted two seasons.
2014: End of Existing broadcast rights with WGN-TV
In November 2013, the Chicago Cubs exercised an option to terminate its existing broadcast rights with WGN-TV after the 2014 season.
January 7, 2015: WGN announces airing 45 games per-season
On January 7, 2015, WGN announced that it would air 45 Chicago Cubs games per-season through 2019.
January 23, 2015: Death of Ernie Banks
Hall of Famer Ernie Banks died of a heart attack on January 23, 2015, shortly before his 84th birthday.
October 21, 2015: Cubs Swept in NLCS
On October 21, 2015, the date where protagonist Marty McFly traveled to the future in the film Back to the Future Part II, the Cubs were swept by the New York Mets in the NLCS.
November 11, 2015: Cubs move to WSCR
On November 11, 2015, CBS announced that the Cubs would move to WBBM's all-sports sister station, WSCR, beginning in the 2016 season.
2015: Cubs Earn Wild Card Berth
In 2015, The Cubs finished the season with the third best record in the majors and earned a wild card berth. On October 7, in the National League Wild Card Game, Arrieta pitched a complete game shutout and the Cubs defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 4–0.
2015: National League Division Series
In 2015, the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals played each other in the postseason for the first time, in the National League Division Series. The Cubs won the series 3-1.
2015: Cubs dropped from WGN America
Prior to the 2015 season, Chicago Cubs games, along with all other Chicago sports programming, were dropped from WGN America as part of its repositioning as a general entertainment cable channel.
November 4, 2016: Victory Parade
On November 4, 2016, the city of Chicago held a victory parade and rally for the Cubs that began at Wrigley Field, headed down Lake Shore Drive, and ended in Grant Park. The city estimated that over five million people attended the parade and rally, which made it one of the largest recorded gatherings in history.
2016: Offseason Acquisitions and Trades
Before the 2016 season, the Cubs signed free agents Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward, and John Lackey. Starlin Castro was traded to the Yankees for Adam Warren and Brendan Ryan, and Gleyber Torres was traded for Aroldis Chapman.
2016: Reference to 2016 Championship Team
By the off-season of 2022, after Jason Heyward's release and Willson Contreras' departure, Kyle Hendricks was the only remaining player from the 2016 championship team.
2016: Rookie of the Year Celebrates Cubs World Series Win
Following the Cubs' win over the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, Thomas Ian Nicholas, who played Henry in the movie Rookie of the Year, tweeted the final shot from the movie: Henry holding his fist up to the camera to show a Cubs World Series ring.
2016: End of an Era
Heading into 2025, Kyle Hendricks departed the team in free agency, marking the end of an era as the last remaining member of the 2016 World Series squad was no longer with the team.
2016: Starting Pitcher Success
In 2016, four Cubs pitchers each won 15 games or more, a stark contrast to the pitching struggles experienced in 2017.
2016: Cubs Return to the World Series
In 2016, the Chicago Cubs returned to the World Series.
2016: Cubs win National League Championship Series and World Series
In 2016, the Chicago Cubs won both the National League Championship Series and the World Series, ending a 71-year pennant drought and a 108-year World Series championship drought.
2016: Cubs begin airing on WSCR
Starting in the 2016 season, Cubs games began airing on WSCR.
May 2017: Formation of Marquee Sports & Entertainment
In May 2017, the Cubs and the Rickets family created Marquee Sports & Entertainment to manage sales and marketing for the Cubs, Wrigley Rooftops, and Hickory Street Capital.
2018: Game 163
In the 2018 season, the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers faced off in a Game 163 for the NL Central division title, which Milwaukee won.
2018: Key Free Agent Signings and Injury Struggles
Prior to the 2018 season, the Cubs signed Yu Darvish, Brandon Morrow, Tyler Chatwood, and Steve Cishek. However, injuries plagued the team, with key players like Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Yu Darvish missing significant time. The Cubs were eventually defeated by the Colorado Rockies in the National League Wild Card Game.
February 2019: Marquee Sports Network Announced
In February 2019, the launch of Marquee Sports Network, a joint venture between the team and Sinclair Broadcast Group, was officially announced.
October 24, 2019: David Ross Hired as Manager
On October 24, 2019, David Ross was hired as the new manager of the Chicago Cubs.
2019: Playoff Elimination and Manager Departure
In 2019, despite leading the Central Division at the All-Star Break, the Cubs suffered injuries and a losing streak, leading to their elimination from playoff contention on September 25. Manager Joe Maddon's contract was not renewed.
2019: End of contract with WGN-TV
The contract between the Chicago Cubs and WGN-TV ended in 2019.
2019: End of WGN-TV association
The long-term association between WGN-TV and the Chicago Cubs, which began in 1948, concluded at the end of the 2019 season.
September 13, 2020: Alec Mills Throws a No-Hitter
On September 13, 2020, Alec Mills pitched a no-hitter in Milwaukee.
November 17, 2020: Theo Epstein Resigns
On November 17, 2020, Theo Epstein resigned as president of the Cubs and was succeeded by Jed Hoyer.
2020: Team ranking
As of 2020, the Chicago Cubs are ranked as the 17th most valuable sports team in the world, 14th in the United States, fourth in MLB, and tied for second in the city of Chicago with the Bulls.
2020: Marquee Sports Network airs Cubs games
As of the 2020 season, all Chicago Cubs games not aired on broadcast television air on Marquee Sports Network.
2020: No fans at Wrigley Field
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no fans were allowed at Wrigley Field during the season.
July 2021: Trade Deadline Deals
In July 2021, after an 11-game losing streak, the Cubs traded Javier Báez, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rizzo.
August 2021: Hall of Fame reintroduced
In August 2021, the Chicago Cubs reintroduced the Hall of Fame exhibit, inducting every member of the previous Cubs Hall of Fame and Cubs Walk of Fame, alongside the five most recent Cubs to enter the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
October 15, 2021: Carter Hawkins Hired as General Manager
On October 15, 2021, Carter Hawkins was hired as the new general manager of the Cubs.
October 2021: Series lead
As of October 2021, the Chicago Cubs led the series against the St. Louis Cardinals with a record of 1,253 wins to 1,196.
2021: Jon Sciambi Lead Announcer
As of the 2021 season, Jon Sciambi serves as the Chicago Cubs' lead television play-by-play announcer.
2021: City Connect series introduced
In 2021, Major League Baseball and Nike introduced the "City Connect" series, featuring uniquely designed uniforms inspired by each city's community and personality. The Chicago Cubs' design is navy blue with light blue accents and features the "Wrigleyville" wordmark.
2022: Third Place Finish
In 2022, the Cubs finished the season with a 74–88 record, placing third in the division and 19 games out of first.
May 2023: Top Prospects Called Up
In May 2023, the Cubs called up multiple top prospects, including Miguel Amaya, Matt Mervis, and Christopher Morel.
September 2023: Playoff Elimination
In September 2023, the Cubs lost 15 of their last 22 games and were ultimately eliminated from playoff contention, finishing the season with an 83–79 record.
2023: Echos of 2023 Season
In 2024, the season had many similarities to 2023, including another trio of prospects being called up throughout the year to contribute to the major league squad in Ben Brown, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Luis Vázquez.
2023: Uniform change
Prior to 2023, the National League logo was placed on the right sleeve of the Chicago Cubs alternate uniform; this was removed in anticipation of a future advertisement patch.
2024: Combined No-Hitter
In 2024, Shōta Imanaga, Nate Pearson, and Porter Hodge pitched a combined no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 4. The team would finish with an 83-79 record.
2024: Uniform sponsor
In 2024, the Chicago Cubs received its first uniform sponsor in Motorola Mobility, with the logo being placed on the sleeve depending on a player's handedness. The other sleeve will accommodate the team's "walking cub" logo on both the home and road uniforms.
2024: Franchise Games Played in MLB History
Through 2024, the Chicago Cubs franchise has played the most games in MLB history, with a regular season record of 11,419–10,837–161.
2024: Cubs Appear in Postseason
Through the 2024 season, the Chicago Cubs have appeared in the postseason 11 times since the start of divisional play in 1969.
2025: Roster Overhaul
Heading into 2025, the Cubs overhauled their roster, with several players departing and new players being signed or acquired via trade.
2025: Powder blue alternate uniform
In 2025, the Chicago Cubs unveiled a powder blue home alternate uniform inspired by Chicago's history of blues music. The design features a stylized Cubs logo inspired by the previous Cubs logos of the early 20th century.
2026: Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2026, Vince Lloyd was bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award to honor significant contributions to the Cubs organization over a lifetime.
Mentioned in this timeline
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