A Basic History of the Chicago Cubs Baseball Team

The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team that plays in Major League Baseball. The Cubs play in the Central Division of the National League.

The franchise was founded in 1870 as the Chicago White Stockings, which they remained until 1889. From 1890-1897, the team was known as the Chicago Colts. From 1898-1901, they were the Chicago Orphans.

Prior to the 1902 season, the team officially changed its name to the Chicago Cubs, which it has remained since.

During the history of the franchise, the team has played its home games at six different locations. Those locations are Union Base-Ball Grounds, 23^rd Street Grounds, Lakefront Park, West Side Park, South Side Park, and Wrigley Field.

Wrigley Field, the current home of the Chicago Cubs, is one of the most historic stadiums in baseball. The Cubs began playing there in 1914. The stadium was also known as Weeghman Park and Cubs Park for short periods of time from 1916-1926.

The Chicago Cubs have won a total of three Division titles. They won the East Division in 1984 and 1989, and they won the Central Division in 2003.

The franchise has won the National League a total of sixteen times, although the most recent time was over sixty years ago in 1945. The franchise won the National League in 1876, 1880-1882, 1885, 1886, 1906-1908, 1910, 1918, 1929, 1932, 1935, 1938, and 1945.

The Chicago Cubs are known throughout baseball for their streak of not winning a World Series. The streak without a championship will reach 100 years next season if the Cubs don't win quickly.

The only two World Series titles in franchise history came back-to-back in 1907 and 1908.

Twenty-one former members of the Chicago Cubs' franchise have been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame at least partially based on their play while with the franchise. Those players are Pete Alexander, Cap Anson, Ernie Banks, Mordecai Brown, Frank Chance, John Clarkson, Kiki Cuyler, Johnny Evers, Clark Griffith, Burleigh Grimes, Gabby Hartnett, Billy Herman, Rogers Hornsby, Ferguson Jenkins, King Kelly, Ryne Sandberg, Al Spalding, Bruce Sutter, Joe Tinker, Billy Williams, and Hack Wilson.

The Chicago Cubs have retired a total of five numbers. The players whose numbers have been retired are Ron Santo - 10, Ernie Banks - 14, Ryne Sandberg - 23, Billy Williams - 26, and Jackie Robinson - 42. Robinson's number is retired throughout baseball.

The Chicago Cubs are currently owned by the Tribune Company. Lou Piniella is the manager, and Jim Hendry is the general manager.