1902
The Chicago Daily News first referred to the team as the Cubs in 1902.
1907
Won their first World Series, defeating the Detroit Tigers in five games.
1870
The team was originally called the White Stockings before becoming the Colts and eventually the Cubs.
1937
The year the famous ivy was added to the outfield wall (it wasn't always there).
1914
The current ballpark opened as Weeghman Park, home to the Chicago Whales of the short-lived Federal League.
1903
The team was nicknamed The Cubs as a nod to it's roster of young and inexperienced players.
1988
Lights were installed for the first time. At the time, the Cubs played the most day games in baseball, making them a national daytime TV staple.
1916
The Cubs had a live bear cub mascot named Joa, briefly kept at the park. His name was derived from the initials of Chicago meatpacking mogul J. Ogden Armour.
Last Lights, Earliest to Broadcast
The Cubs were the last MLB team to add lights, but one of the first to broadcast games regularly on TV via WGN.
Ballpark to Barracks
During World War II, the ballpark was nearly converted into a military barracks and training center.
The Bill Murray Experience
Bill Murray is a part-owner of a minor league affiliate in the Chicago area and is known to randomly show up at games and interact with fans.
1921 - 1951
The Cubs spent spring training on Catalina Island off California — players had to travel by boat to get there.
2015
Legendary southpaw Jon Lester joined the Cubs, helping them win the 2016 World Series.
Classic Cubs Colors
Cubs' team colors are blue, red and white, but also incorporated brown in the early days.
1898
The team was nicknamed The Orphans after longtime manager Cap Anson's departure, which essentially left the team abandoned.
2012 - 2021
All-star first baseman Anthony Rizzo played for the Cubs and was a key leader in the 2016 World Series win.
Mr. Cub
Two-time MVP, Hall-of-Famer and eternal optimist Ernie Banks was known worldwide as Mr. Cub.
Bleacher Traditions
Home to the Bleacher Bums, the bleachers are known for their colorful traditions, like throwing opposing home run balls back onto the field.
Windy City Showdown
The Cubs–White Sox rivalry is often called the Windy City Showdown, pitting North Side (Cubs) vs. South Side (White Sox).
1914
The current stadium opened as Weeghman Park. The Cubs played their first game there in 1914.
1876
The team became a charter member of the National League.
1907
The team officially adopted the Cubs name.
1890s
The team was known as the Colts.
1921
The team came under management of a prominent chewing-gum mogul.
1933
Cubs Gabby Hartnett, Woody English and Lon Warneke played in the inaugural All-Star Game.
11 Appearances
They have appeared in 11 World Series overall.
National League Pennants
The Cubs franchise has won 17 National League pennants.
2006
The stadium was featured in the movie, The Break-Up.
Cubs Wins Leader
Most wins by a Cubs pitcher: Ferguson Jenkins – 284.
Home of the Bleacher Bums
The lively fans in the bleachers are commonly referred to as Bleacher Bums.
Wind Factor
The Cubs play in one of the few MLB parks where the lakefront wind dramatically impacts gameplay – players often check flags more than stats.
1941
The Cubs were the first MLB team to install a permanent organ for music during games.
1988
The first home night game was played August 9.
First Night Game
The Cubs' first night game was scheduled against the Philadelphia Phillies on 8/8/88 but the baseball gods rained it out. Thus, the first official night game was played Aug. 9 vs. the New York Mets.
Spring Training
The Cubs have hosted Cactus League games in Mesa, Arizona since 1952, the longest-running spring training relationship in MLB.
1919
The Cubs played a shortened season due to WWI.
1945
The Curse of the Billy Goat started.
1908 - 2016
The Cubs' World Series drought lasted 108 years. It was the longest championship drought in American professional sports history.
1962
Cubs played the first MLB game on synthetic turf in spring training.
Franchise History
The Cubs have played over 20k games since the franchise began.
Historic Field
Built in 1914, the Cubs home ballpark is the second-oldest MLB stadium. (The first is Fenway Park in Boston).
1993
The Cubs are featured in the movie Rookie of the Year.
1920
Rooftop seats on neighboring buildings were officially recognized.
Field Dimensions
The field’s dimensions are asymmetrical: 355 ft. left, 368 ft. right, 400 ft. center.
Seating Capacity
The stadium has over 41,000 seats.
1947
Cubs’ first televised game.
1986
The stadium was featured in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
The Wrigley Vibe
Known as The Friendly Confines, the ballpark exudes a charming, neighborhood vibe compared to other MLB stadiums.
Swinging for the Fences
Most home runs as a Cub: Sammy Sosa knocked it out of the park in pinstripes 545 times, famously battling Mark McGwire in 1998 to both shatter the MLB single-season record.
3,011
Most hits in Cubs history: Cap Anson, 1876 - 1897.
1935
The Cubs' longest winning streak — 21 games — took place from September 4 to September 28, 1935. It remains the 2nd-longest winning streak in MLB history.
Cold Spell
The Cubs’ longest losing streak — 14 games — took place from April 1 to April 20, 1997.
Cubs for Life
Just a handful of Cubs players have spent 15+ seasons entirely with the franchise, among them Ernie Banks, Stan Hack, Gabby Hartnett and Charlie Root.
Hot Head
During a loss to the Atlanta Braves in 2007, Cubs Manager Lou Piniella erupted at umpire Mark Wegner, spiking his hat, kicking dirt and earning a four-game suspension. Many feel the outburst sparked the club to win the NL Central that season.
Winning Team
The Cubs are no stranger to racking up wins. In the history of the franchise, they've won over 11,000 games.
1984
Ryne Sandberg's breakout MVP season in which he batted .314 with 200 hits, 114 runs, 36 doubles, 19 triples and 84 RBIs.
All the All-Stars
237 Cubs have been selected for the All-Star Game, with Ernie Banks making the most appearances at 14 (ironically his jersey number).
1948
The Cubs set a single-game attendance record with 47,171 (including standing-room) vs. the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Out of Left Field
It is rumored this phrase originates from the Cubs' former West Side Park (1893 - 1915) where patients at a neuropsychiatric institute outside the left field wall would shout at players.
Down on the Farm
The Cubs’ minor league system includes the Iowa Cubs (AAA), the Tennessee Smokies (AA), the South Bend Cubs (High-A) and Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Single-A).
A Man of Many Talents
Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka isn't just known for his Super Bowl victory – his 1998 butchering of Take Me Out to the Ballgame is just as legendary.
Hit King
Cubs’ franchise batting average leader: Cap Anson – .334.
Triple Threat
Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers and Frank Chance were so fearsome in their ability to get double plays they were immortalized in Franklin P. Adams's 1910 poem Baseball's Sad Lexicon.
Sweet-Swinging Billy
Hall-of-Fame outfielder Billy Williams hit 392 of his 426 career home runs as a member of the Cubs.
Two Very Different Mascots
The Cub's current mascot Clark the Cub was introduced in 2014 and named after the stadium's Clark & Addison address. He's definitely a step up from their 1916 mascot, a live bear named Joa, who bit a player.
Go Cubs Go
Sung after home wins, Go Cubs Go was originally written for WGN telecasts in 1984 by Chicago folk musician Steve Goodman, who died of leukemia just days before his beloved Cubs clinched the NL East. It has been played in-stadium since 2007.
KB
After hitting 39 home runs and 102 RBIs in 2016, Kris Bryant was the 4th player in MLB history to win an MVP award the season after winning Rookie of the Year.
A 39-Year Wait
Led by MVP Ryne Sandberg and Cy Young-winner Rick Sutcliffe, the 1984 Cubs reached the postseason for the first time since 1945. After taking a 2-0 NLCS lead, they lost three straight heartbreakers to the San Diego Padres.
Can't Be Beat
In 1930, Cubs center fielder Hack Wilson slugged a whopping 191 RBIs — a performance so incredible the record has stood for nearly a century.
The Team Flag
The Cubs’ official team flag features 17 red stars representing the team's NL pennant wins with three blue stars commemorating its three World Series titles.
1937
The stadium introduced a new scoreboard, added bleachers and, most famously, first planted its trademark ivy.
Double No-Nos
On May 2, 1917, the Cubs' Hippo Vaughn and Fred Toney of the Cincinnati Reds carried simultaneous no-hitters through nine innings — something never seen before or since in MLB history. Toney completed the 10-inning no-no as the Reds beat the Cubs 1-0.
Life of the Party
The Cubs experience has become such a big deal in the city and around the country, the surrounding neighborhood is named after the ballpark and home to boisterous times in-season ... and off.
Bleacher Bums on Stage
Set during a single afternoon at a Cubs game, Bleacher Bums is a stage play created in 1977 by Chicago’s Organic Theater Company, co-written by actors Joe Mategna, Dennis Franz and others. A 1979 performance was taped for PBS followed by a 2002 TV adaptation.
Location is Everything
Originally starting in 1914 and known as the Bootleg Bleachers, buildings along Waveland and Sheffield avenues offer rooftop seats that overlook the action.
Hat Trick
In one of the wackiest plays in team history, on September 26, 1979, right fielder Larry Biittner lost his hat chasing a liner by the NY Mets' Bruce Boisclair — and the ball rolled right into it. After realizing what happened, Biittner recovered in time to throw Boisclair out trying for a triple.
1060 W. Addison
If this address seems familiar, in the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers, Jake Elwood uses the Cubs' address to throw off the police and Illinois' worst residents.
True Blue Fans
Chalk it up to family tradition, eternal optimism or blind faith, generations of Cubs fans have remained loyal through the good times and some excruciatingly-long droughts.
We're Going to Need More Seats
The Cubs World Series parade on November 4, 2016 drew over 5 million people, making it the largest gathering in U.S. history.
Hey-Hey!
Before Haray Caray took the reins in 1982, Hall-of-Fame announcer Jack Brickhouse worked the booth for 38 seasons. As a tribute, the Cubs immortalized Jack's iconic Hey-Hey! home run call on both foul poles in the park.
What a Coincidence
The restaurant outside of the stadium, Rizzo's, has no relation to the Cubs' Roberto Clemente Award-winning first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
Cooperstown-Bound
34 Cubs are enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, including Cap Anson, Hack Wilson, Gabby Hartnett, Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberg and Lee Smith.
Almost Perfect
No Cubs pitcher has ever thrown a perfect game, but Milt Pappas came agonizingly close on September 2, 1972. With two outs in the 9th, San Diego Padres batter Larry Stahl drew a controversial walk before Pappas finished the no-hitter – insisting until his death in 2016 that the pitch was strike three.
Standing Ovation
Two active Cubs players have performed the National Anthem at home games (in uniform): infielder Carmen Fanzone played it on trumpet on June 8, 1972 while outfielder Dwight Smith sang it twice — on July 21, 1989 and April 7, 1992.
What an Arm
Jake Arrieta set the Cubs' single-season strikeout record with 236 Ks in 2015.
Twilight Homer
With darkness falling on September 28, 1938, star catcher Gabby Hartnett hit a dramatic 9th-innning walk-off home run into the left-field bleachers to beat the Pirates 6-5, pushing the Cubs into first place on their way to the 1938 NL pennant.
Tough Competition
Of all the opponents the Cubs have faced, one of the most peculiar would be Will Ferrell (known for his solid Harry Caray impression) who suited up for the Angels vs. Cubs in a spring training game.
Triple Play
The Cubs' first recorded triple play was turned on May 30, 1927, when shortstop Jimmy Cooney pulled off an unassisted triple play vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates.
All-Star Host
Since its inception in 1933, the Cubs have hosted the MLB All-Star Game three times (1947, 1962, 1990). The Midsummer Classic is scheduled to return to the North Side once again on July 13, 2027.
That's Some Real Speed
In 2025, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong was the fastest Cub to reach 25 home runs and 25 steals in a season. Taking only 91 games, he's the fourth-fastest to do so in MLB history.
Fore!
To celebrate the April 17, 1951 home opener, golf legend Sam Snead cleared the center field scoreboard using a 2-iron from home plate, something no batted ball has been able to match.
The College of Coaches
From 1961-1962, the Cubs experimented with a revolving group of eight managers running the team. After going 64-90 in 1961 and 59-103 the following season, the Cubs deemed the concept unsuccessful.
Lots of Legends
The Cubs have retired five numbers: Ernie Banks (#14), Ron Santo (#10), Ryne Sandberg (#23), Billy Williams (#26), Ferguson Jenkins/Greg Maddux (#31), alongside the MLB-wide retirement (#42) for Jackie Robinson.
It's All in a Name
The Cubs were originally called the White Stockings, but the name changed to the Colts in 1890. Ten years later, a certain South Side team was formed and named the White Stockings by Charles Comiskey.
22-Season Legend
Cap Anson holds the record for most seasons with the Cubs from 1876 - 1897, finishing just ahead of Ernie Banks' 19.
Eat, Drink and be Cursed
The man who placed the curse on the Cubs also happened to own the now-beloved Billy Goat Tavern, which was immortalized in the cheezborger, cheezborgor, cheezborgor Saturday Night Live skit.
Award-winning Pitching Excellence
Since its inception in 1956, five Cubs pitchers have won the Cy Young Award: Ferguson Jenkins, Bruce Sutter, Rick Sutcliffe, Greg Maddux and Jake Arrieta.
Fly the W
The iconic W and L flags have been raised above the center field scoreboard since 1937 to let passersby know the outcome of games. Blue and white win/loss lights were later added so riders on Chicago's "L" could see the game results after dark.
Thrills, Chills and ... Cowboys?
In 1946, a five-day rodeo and thrill circus was held at the ballpark featuring over 900 performers including cowboys, daredevils and even bull riding.
Start with a Bang
Nine Cubs have hit home runs in their first at-bat, including Paul Gillespie (1942), Starlin Castro (2010), Willson Contreras (2016), Ian Happ (2017) and Christopher Morel (2022).
Easy Access
The Addison Street L station that serves the Cubs was built in 1900, 14 years before the stadium, but it wasn't coined the Red Line until 1993.
The Bartman Game
During Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS, Steve Bartman became part of Cubs lore after reaching for a foul ball in the left field stands that Moises Alou was camped under. The Cubs went on to lose the game, and the NL pennant, before the organization presented Bartman with a 2016 World Series ring as a gesture of forgiveness and closure.
The Curse
On October 6, 1945, Billy Goat Tavern owner William Sianis brought his pet goat Murphy to Game 4 of the World Series, hoping it would bring the team luck. Due to the animal's behavior, the pair was asked to leave, which prompted Sianias to allegedly place the infamous “Curse of the Billy Goat” on the Cubs, a championship drought that didn't end until 2016.
Back to Back
The Cubs became the first MLB team to win back-to-back World Series championships, doing so in 1907 and 1908. They would not win another one until 108 years later.
The Red C
The familiar encircled red C on the Cubs' uniforms may owe its existence to the Chicago Athletic Association, whose emblem closely resembles – and predates – the team’s iconic logo.
Good Eye!
Bill Madlock and Riggs Stephenson are tied for having the highest career batting average while on the Cubs with .336.
