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 held a fan vote to select the franchise’s anniversary team, and the final results were released last week. Let’s take a look at who the fans selected and who I thought should be selected.
Manager – Frank Chance, Leo Durocher, Joe Maddon
This pretty much lines up with what I was expecting. Chance and Maddon are the only managers to win a World Series with the Cubs and Durocher, while more successful in other points in his career, did lead the storied 1969 club.
Catcher – Jody Davis, Gabby Hartnett, Randy Hundley
Again, this lines up pretty much with what I initially thought. I would have gone with Willson Contreras over Jody Davis, but I guess you could make an argument either way.
First Base – Frank Chance, Mark Grace, Derrek Lee, Anthony Rizzo
This is certainly a situation where recency bias is playing a role. Cap Anson, as one of only two Hall of Famers in the nominee list, is the only glaring omission.
Second Base – Nico Hoerner, Rogers Hornsby, Ryne Sandberg
Four of the nominees are in the Hall of Fame. Nico Hoerner has yet to make an All-Star team or win a major award, but he is the current second baseman, so of course that has to count for something.
Third Base – Kris Bryant, Stan Hack, Aramis Ramirez, Ron Santo
It is hard to argue with any of these choices.
Shortstop – Javier Baez, Ernie Banks, Shawon Dunston, Joe Tinker
Again, no real surprises here.
Outfield – José Cardenal, Andre Dawson, Ian Happ, Andy Pafko, Hank Sauer, Sammy Sosa, Billy Williams, Hack Wilson
There’s a lot here that makes sense, but the inclusion of Cardenal, and to a lesser extent, Happ is somewhat ludicrous.
Starting Pitcher – Jake Arrieta, Mordecai Brown, Kyle Hendricks, Fergie Jenkins, Jon Lester, Greg Maddux, Rick Sutcliffe, Kerry Wood
With all due respect to Kyle Hendricks and Kerry Wood, their inclusion here owes more to popularity and overall team success rather than personal achievement. Charlie Root is the franchise leader in Wins, and pitched in a time when that meant something, yet did not make the cut.
Relief Pitcher – Rod Beck, Ryan Dempster, Lee Smith, Pedro Strop, Bruce Sutter
Beck literally spent less than two seasons with the team. The rest seem like ok choices.
