Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs might hold the dubious distinction of having the longest championship drought of not just any Major League Baseball team, but of any pro sport in North America. Don’t be too quick to mention this fact to Cubs fans on the north side of Chicago, as they’re very passionate about their team. The Cubs aren’t only known for their futility; they’re also one of the oldest teams in baseball. Born in 1874 as the Chicago White Stockings, the team became the Cubs in 1903 and no MLB franchise has spent longer in the same city.

Ballpark / Stadium – Wrigley Field

The Cubs play at Wrigley Field, one of the most notable parks in baseball. Built in 1914, the park is the second oldest (behind Boston’s Fenway Park) and makes news headlines every year as the team, city and fans discuss how the park should be modernized. Wrigley Field is known for its ivy-covered outfield fences and often dubbed “The Friendly Confines.” Day games have traditionally been the norm at Wrigley, as the park didn’t install lighting until 1988. The ballpark has an official capacity of 42,374.

World Series Championships

Despite their championship drought, the team hasn’t failed to win baseball’s biggest prize. The Cubs won the World Series in back-to-back seasons, in 1907 and 1908, and have a whopping 16 National League Pennants to their name. The Cubs rivalry with the St. Louis Cardinals is one of the best in professional sports. Each year, fans of each team look forward to looking for Cardinals-Cubs games on the schedule.

Chicago Cubs Roster

The Cubs roster, over the years, has been filled with a number of members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Notable former Cubs enshrined in Cooperstown include Cap Anson, Ernie Banks, Andre Dawson, Ferguson Jenkins, Greg Maddux, Ryne Sandberg, Ron Santo, Bruce Sutter, Billy Williams and Hack Wilson. Recent Cubs stars include Kerry Wood, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez.

Spring Training

The Chicago Cubs Spring Training facility is Cubs Park, which opened in 2014 in Mesa, AZ. The new park replaced HoHoKam Stadium, which had been the continuous Spring Training home of the Cubs since 1979. Cubs Park has an official capacity of 15,000. The team’s Minor League Baseball affiliates are the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, Double-A Tennessee Smokies, Advanced-A Daytona Cubs, Class-A Kane County Cougars, Short-Season A Boise Hawks and rookie league Arizona League Cubs, Dominican Summer League Cubs and Venezuelan Summer League Cubs.

The Ballpark Guide hasn’t visited the Chicago Cubs yet, but hopes to in the near future. If you’re excited to read a fan guide to Wrigley Field, check out the many ways you can support The Ballpark Guide on future baseball road trips.