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2000-Present
However one looks at it-whether 2000 begins the new millennium or
ends the old one-the Cubs began it with a rather ominous result.
While Sammy Sosa continues his swatting ways en-route to becoming
just the third player in major-league history to reach the 50-homer
mark in three straight seasons, the team struggles, winding up with
a 65-97 record.
1990s
Home runs, strikeouts and the passing of two legendary voices of
the Cubs are the items of note from this decade. In 1990, Ryne Sandberg
leads the NL with 40 home runs, the third-highest total ever for
a second baseman. Sandberg also established a major-league record
by playing errorless ball for 123 straight games. Cub pitcher Greg
Maddux wins the NL Cy Young award in 1992, after posting a 20-and-11
record. The next season, Randy Myers sets an NL record with 53 saves.
Setting the stage for greater things to come, in 1993 Sammy Sosa
becomes the first player in Cubs history to post a "30/30" season,
finishing the year with 33 homers and 36 steals.
1980s
Ch-ch-changes are in store for the Cubs in the 1980s in regards
to ownership, postseason play and the park. In 1981 the Wrigley
family ends their 65-year ownership of the team when William Wrigley
sells the team to the Tribune Company for $20.5 million. In 1982
Fergie Jenkins -having been picked up as a free agent the previous
November-becomes the seventh player in baseball history to hurl
a record 3,000 strikeouts. That season Ernie Banks becomes the first
Cub to have his number retire. The fabled No. 14 now flies from
the left-field foul pole at Wrigley Field while Billy Williams'
No. 26-retired in 1987-flies from the right-field pole.
1970s
During the 1970s, the Cubs saw many of their greats ride off into
the sunset. Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks retires from the game in 1971 with
512 home runs. Three years later he and his familiar greeting of,
"Let's play two!" are inducted into the Hall of Fame. Billy Williams
, who in 1971 becomes the first player in NL history to play in
1,000 consecutive games, is traded to Oakland on October 23, 1974.
1960s
Sport imitated life in the 60s. A period mostly remembered for rebelling
against the norm and untimely deaths of promising young leaders
could describe the nation's or the organization's history during
this time. In 1960 owner P.K. Wrigley experimented with manager
position, implementing a "College of Coaches."
1950s
With the country in the middle of the Cold War, the Cubs as a team
are in the middle of a frigid decade. After experiencing success
for the majority of their existence, the Cubs finish the 50s without
a postseason appearance, the first decade of a drought that would
last until 1984
1940s
Instead of becoming one of the first teams to install lights, the
Cubs went on to become one of the last when, after the bombing of
Pearl Harbor, P.K. Wrigley donates the lighting equipment that he
had recently purchased to the War Department in 1941
1930s
In 1930, outfielder Hack Wilson puts together one of the greatest
hitting seasons in baseball history, pounding 56 homers and driving
in 191 runs-a mark has never been bettered in Major League Baseball.
On June 27, the largest crowd ever to see a game at Wrigley Field
— 51,556 — is on hand as the Cubs play the Brooklyn Dodgers. But
paid attendance is only 19,748, due to the Ladies Day promotion.
1920s
In 1920, Weeghman Park becomes known as Cubs Park, after chewing
gum magnet William Wrigley buys out the remainder of Charles Weeghman's
share of the club. The park would undergo yet another name change
in 1926 when it becomes Wrigley Field
1910
The team began this decade much like they concluded the previous
one-by winning. The Cubs win their fourth National League pennant
in five seasons. Despite wining 104 games and capturing the flag
by 13 games, they lose the 1910 World Series to the Philadelphia
A's, four games to one.
1900s
What a decade for Cubs baseball, which is exactly what it was. In
1902, noting the youth movement lead by new manger Frank Selee,
a local newspaper penned the nickname Cubs for the first time. The
moniker prevailed over time and was officially adopted by the club
in 1907. It is currently one of the longest running-and most beloved-alias'
in all of sports.
1876
In 1876, the Chicago White Stockings become one of eight charter
members of the National League led by their president William A.
Hulbert, who was also the owner of the Chicago club. A.G. Spalding
is the manager when the team plays its first game in the history
of the Chicago National League Ball Club that takes place on April
25
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