Originally founded in 1869, the Chicago Cubs became a charter member of the National League in 1876. Over the next 150 seasons, the Cubs have played more than 22,000 games, scored over 103,000 runs and recorded more than 200,000 hits, more than any other team in baseball history. Nearly 2,300 players have worn a Cubs uniform, earning eight division titles, 17 NL pennants, and three World Series championships.
Fans have witnessed generations of unforgettable players, from historical heroes like Joe Tinker, Gabby Hartnett, Ernie Banks, and Billy Williams to more recent stars like Ryne Sandberg, Derrek Lee, Kerry Wood, and Anthony Rizzo. The team has called Wrigley Field home for 110 of those 150 seasons.
To celebrate this milestone, the Cubs are holding a fan vote to select the franchise’s anniversary team. Each week, we will go through the provided options for each position and declare who should, and, if different, who will, win the fan vote. We continue today with the first eight selections for outfielder.
George Altman spent seven seasons with the Cubs across two stints. Debuting with the club in 1959, he quickly emerged as one of the team’s most productive hitters, earning All-Star selections in both 1961 and 1962. He accumulated 7.9 WAR across those two seasons while establishing himself as a dangerous power hitter. He returned to the Cubs in 1965 but was unable to reclaim his former status and struggled to produce. He finished his major league career in 1967, hitting just .111 in 15 games.
José Cardenal joined the Cubs for the 1972 season and stayed through 1977. He was one of the most popular and productive players during his tenure, bridging the gap between the superstars of the 60s and the success coming in the 1980s. He was named Cubs player of the year by local media in 1973. His best season came in 1975, earning 3.1 WAR while hitting .317. He was inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame in 2022.
Kiki Cuyler joined the Cubs following the 1927 season and spent parts of eight years with the team. During his tenure, Cuyler was one of the most dynamic offensive players in the league, helping the Cubs win two NL pennants. He was named to his lone All-Star team in 1934 in its second year of existence. He led the NL in three times, from 1928 through 1930. In 1968, he was enshrined in Cooperstown as a member of the Hall of Fame.
Andre Dawson, looking to extend his playing career by easing the impact on his ailing knees, arrived at Cubs spring training camp in 1987 with a signed blank contract hoping to entice the team to sign him. GM Dallas Green dismissed the stunt as a “dog and pony show” but ultimately signed the deal, giving Dawson $500,000. Dawson exceeded everybody’s expectations, hitting 49 home runs to tie for the major league lead while being named NL MVP, the first player to do so for a last place team. He stayed with the team through 1992, winning two Gold Gloves and one Silver Slugger award while being named to the All-Star team five times. His .507 career slugging percentage with the Cubs is fourth highest in franchise history. In 2010, he was elected to the Hall of Fame.
Bob Dernier was acquired from the Phillies at the end of spring training in 1984. Plugged into the leadoff spot, he teamed with Ryne Sandberg to become what Harry Caray dubbed “the Daily Double,” sparking the Cub offense as the team won their first division title and made the postseason for the first time since 1945. He led off game one of the NLCS with a home run, becoming the first Cub to homer in postseason play since Phil Cavaretta. Unfortunately, that was his best season and, following three injury-plagued years, he left the team as a free agent following the 1987 season.
Augie Galan debuted with the Cubs in 1934 and spent parts of eight seasons with the club. He led the NL in stolen bases in both 1935 and 1937 and, in 1937, he became the first NL player to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game. During his tenure, the Cubs won two NL pennants, appearing in the World Series in 1935 and 1938. 1936 was his sole All-Star appearance as a member of the Cubs.
George Gore joined the White Stockings in 1879 and spent eight seasons with the franchise that would eventually become known as the Cubs. During that time, the team won the league title five rimes. Despite leading the league in hitting in 1880 and regularly finding himself among the league leaders offensively, he was thought to have a poor work ethic, favoring his active social life instead. This caused him to feud with Cap Anson, leading to his eventual departure from the team.
Ian Happ was the ninth overall pick in the 2015 draft, joining the Cubs in 2017. His first major league hit was a home run in his debut against Cardinals, and he finished the season with the second-most home runs for a rookie switch hitter in NL history. In 2018, he became just the second player in MLB history to hit a home run on the first pitch of the season. He was an All-Star in 2022 and has won four consecutive Gold Glove awards. He is signed through the end of this season.