2007 NL Division Series Game 5

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 as a charter member. The White Stockings quickly established themselves as one of the new league's top teams. After back-to-back pennants in 1880 and 1881, the White Stockings captured their third consecutive pennant in 1882.

In 1885 and 1886, the White Stockings met the champions of the American Association in that era's version of a World Series. 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 back-to-back World Series championships in 1907 and 1908, becoming the first major league club to play three times in the Fall Classic and the first to win it twice. Most recently, the Cubs won the 2016 World Series, ending a 108-year championship drought.

Reader's Guide

The Cubs are known as 'the North Siders', a reference to the location of Wrigley Field within the city of Chicago, and in contrast to the White Sox, whose home field (Rate Field) is located on the South Side. Through 2024, the franchise has played the most games in MLB history, with an all-time regular season record of (). Since the start of divisional play in 1969, the Cubs have appeared in the postseason 12 times through the 2025 season.

Did You Know?

• The 1906 Cubs won 116 games, finishing 116–36.
• The 108-year World Series championship drought was the longest such occurrence in all major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada.