Congrats to the Chicago Cubs on their World Series win! While most people are well aware of the Cubs’ 108-year wait, most people don’t know these 20 facts about the MLB team.
20. The Cubs’ Worst Trade Was In 1964 When The Team Traded Outfielder Lou Brock For Cardinals Pitcher Ernie Broglio
Lou Brock went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Cardinals, while Broglio retired just two years after being traded.
19. Former Cubs Pitcher Mordecai Brown Had Only Three Fingers On His Pitching Hand
Despite this, Brown won at least 20 games for the team in the early 1900s.
18. Cubs Pitcher Randy Myers Was Attacked On The Field By An Angry Fan In 1995, But Used Martial Arts Training To Defend Himself
Myers was able to subdue the fan using his martial arts skills until security arrived.
17. Former Cubs Pitcher Fergie Jenkins Also Played Professional Basketball
Jenkins played for the Harlem Globetrotters from 1967 to 1969 during baseball’s off-season.
16. Over 51,000 Fans Attended A July 1930 Game And The Overflow Crowd Was Allowed To Stand Along The Warning Track
Wrigley Field saw one of its largest crowds at 51,556 fans during Ladies Day on July 27, 1930.
15. The Original Lights That Were To Be Installed At Wrigley Field Were Donated To A Shipyard After Pearl Harbor
Owner P.K. Wrigley was to install lights in the park in 1942, but decided to donate them to a shipyard following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
14. Actor Chuck Connors Played First Base For The Cubs In 1951
Connors is best known for his role in The Rifleman, and he also starred in 1957’s Old Yeller and 1963’s Flipper among other movies.
13. Former President Ronald Reagan Would Broadcast Cubs Games For An Iowa Radio Station
Ronald Reagan re-created Cubs games for a radio station from teletype (typed messages) reports in the 1930s.
12. The Cubs Used To Train At Catalina Island Off The Coast Of California
The team held spring training sessions at the California island from 1921 to 1951.
11. The Ivy On The Outfield Wall Was Planted In 1937 By The Cubs’ Front Office Assistant
Bill Veeck, who went on to own the White Sox, planted the famous ivy that covers the outfield wall way back in 1937.
10. The Cubs Were Once Known As The “White Stockings”
Before being named the “Cubs” in the 1900s, the team was called the White Stockings from 1876 to 1894.
9. The NHL, NFL And NBA Didn’t Exist The Last Time The Cubs Won The World Series In 1908
The NHL was created in 1917, the NFL in 1920, and the NBA in 1946.
8. The Original Name Of Wrigley Field Was Weegham Park
The park was named after Charlie Weegham, who built the stadium in 1914 for the Chicago Federals.
7. The “Hack 191” Flag On Wrigley’s Roof Stands For A Player’s Runs During The 1930 Season
Former Cubs player and Baseball Hall of Famer Hack Williams batted a record 191 runs in the 1930 season— a record that still stands even today.
6. Former Player Ernie Banks Was The Only Cub To Win Back-To-Back MVP Awards
Ernie, also known as Mr. Cub, won the award in 1958 and 1959.
5. The Foul Poles Have “Hey Hey” On Them In Honor Of Broadcaster Jack Brickhouse
Former Cubs broadcaster Jack Brickhouse’s home run call was “hey hey,” which is forever remembered on Wrigley’s foul poles.
4. Eddie Vedder Of Pearl Jam Wrote A Song For The Team
The song is called “All the Way.”
3. Sammy Sosa Was The Last Cubs Player To Win The MVP Award
He won the award in 1998.
2. The Cubs’ Record Season Of Attendance Was 2007 With Over 3.25 Million Fans
On the contrary, only 314 dedicated fans showed up to a rainy September 1943 game. The game lasted only five innings before being called due to the freezing weather.
1. Wire Baskets Were Installed In Front Of The Bleachers At Wrigley Field To Stop People From Hanging Coats Over The Railing
