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 relief pitcher.
Paul Assenmacher, acquired for the stretch run in 1989 as the team was looking for their second NL East title, spent parts of five seasons as a member of the Cubs and was a perfectly reliable bullpen arm for most of that time.
Rod Beck spent less than two seasons with the Cubs. Signed in 1998, he led the NL in games and games finished while saving 51 as the Cubs won their first NL Wild Card. He made one appearance in the NLDS, giving up three earned runs in less than two innings of work. Injuries combined with ineffectiveness the following year led to him being traded to the Red Sox in August. He was re-signed by the team in 2003 while recovering from Tommy John surgery but was released before being added to the big-league roster. Following his 2007 death, he was buried wearing his Cubs uniform.
Joe Borowski spent parts of five seasons with the Cubs, from 2001-2005. His best year came in 2003, when he was named the closer. He saved 33 games as the Cubs won their first division title in over a decade. He gave up just one earned run across five games in the postseason, as the Cubs famously lost the NLCS to the Marlins in seven games. Injuries marred his remaining time on the team, and he was designated for assignment in 2005.