National League Central Division Title (1989)

Lore & Background

The Cubs began in 1870 as the Chicago White Stockings, playing their home games at West Side Grounds. Six years later, they joined the National League (NL) as a charter member. The White Stockings won the first National League pennant in 1876. After back-to-back pennants in 1880 and 1881, the club captured a third consecutive pennant in 1882.

In 1885 and 1886, the White Stockings met the St. Louis Brown Stockings in that era's version of a World Series; the clubs tied in 1885 and St. Louis won in 1886. The Anson-led Chicago Base Ball Club won six National League pennants between 1876 and 1886. By 1890, the team had become known as the Chicago Colts. In 1897, after a disappointing record, Anson was released, and local newspaper reporters referred to the Colts as the 'Orphans'.

In 1902, the Chicago Daily News called the franchise the Cubs; it officially took the name five years later. The Cubs won four pennants and two World Series titles over a five-year span from 1905 to 1912, including back-to-back World Series championships in 1907 and 1908. The Cubs won the NL Pennant in 1929, 1932, 1935, and 1938. Most recently, the Cubs won the 2016 National League Championship Series and 2016 World Series.

Reader's Guide

The Cubs have played in a total of 11 World Series. The 1906 Cubs won 116 games, finishing 116–36, before losing the World Series to the Chicago White Sox. The Cubs won back-to-back World Series championships in 1907 and 1908. Since the start of divisional play in 1969, the Cubs have appeared in the postseason 12 times through the 2025 season. The Cubs are known as 'the North Siders', a reference to the location of Wrigley Field within the city of Chicago.

Did You Know?

• The 1906 Cubs posted a modern-era record winning percentage of .763.
• The Cubs' 108-year World Series championship drought was the longest in all major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada.