The History of the Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs

In a country where sports teams change towns like army brats, the Chicago Cubs are an oddity. As of 2007, they have remained in Chicago since the National League began in 1876. Sports fans know the Cubs as the indelible losers of the league. Few know just how deep the bond runs between Cubs' fans and their team.

The loyalty shown by Cubs fans can be traced, in part, to the team's long time loyalty to Chicago. The team has changed owners over the years, but has remained a constant presence in the town. Even their playing ground, Wrigley Field has been in Chicago since the early 1900's. It wasn't until 1914 that the Chicago stadium was erected. Charles Weegham owned it at that time so, of course, it was named after him-Weegham Park. The Wrigley family bought the stadium in 1920. In 1926 the named was changed to the one we all know so well, Wrigley Field.

While the Cubs have always been in the same place, they haven't always had the same name. When the team joined the league in 1876, they were called the Chicago Whitestockings. The name stuck until 1907 when a reporter referred to the teams as the "Cubs" in a news story. For a long time, it was only a nickname for the team. After a while, "Cubs" replaced "Whitestockings" as the Chicago team's name.

The Cubs have had a stretch of winning that almost matches its losing streak. In the early part of the twentieth century, the Cubs wins were prevalent. Their Wrigley field home saw much of the victorious action. Fans know that with such a history, it is a matter of time before the losing streak ends.

The team that is known for its losses is really one that should be known for its invariable place in the Chicago history and landscape. It is a team that has been dedicated to Chicago and its fans since the 1800's. As a matter of fact, it is the only charter team that has stayed in its founding city. Fans can have the security in knowing that they will be there, in Wrigley Field every summer, lobbing the ball around as the have been for well over a century. The team may not have the best reputation, but it does have the longest history. To Cubs fans, that means a lot.