Editing Chicago Cubs (section)

==History==
{{Main|History of the Chicago Cubs}}

===Early club history===

====1876–1902: A National League====
[[File:1876 white stockings.jpg|thumb|left|160px|The 1876 White Stockings won the NL championship.]]
The Cubs began in 1870 as the '''Chicago White Stockings''', playing their home games at [[West Side Grounds]].

Six years later, they joined the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL) as a charter member. In the runup to their NL debut, owner [[William Hulbert]] signed various star players, such as pitcher [[Albert Spalding]] and infielders [[Ross Barnes]], [[Deacon White]], and [[Cap Anson|Adrian "Cap" Anson]]. The White Stockings quickly established themselves as one of the new league's top teams. Spalding won forty-seven games and Barnes led the league in hitting at .429 as Chicago won the first National League [[Pennant (sports)|pennant]], which at the time was the game's top prize.

After back-to-back pennants in 1880 and 1881, Hulbert died, and Spalding, who had retired from playing to start [[Spalding (sports equipment)|Spalding]] sporting goods, assumed ownership of the club. The White Stockings, with Anson acting as player-manager, captured their third consecutive pennant in 1882, and Anson established himself as the game's first true superstar. In 1885 and 1886, after winning NL pennants, the White Stockings met the champions of the short-lived [[American Association (19th century)|American Association]] in that era's version of a World Series. Both seasons resulted in matchups with the [[St. Louis Cardinals|St. Louis Brown Stockings]]; the clubs tied in 1885 and St. Louis won in 1886. This was the genesis of what would eventually become one of the greatest [[Cardinals–Cubs rivalry|rivalries]] in sports. In all, the Anson-led Chicago Base Ball Club won six National League pennants between 1876 and 1886. By [[1890 in baseball|1890]], the team had become known the '''Chicago Colts''',<ref name="1890colts">{{cite web |url = https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1890.shtml |title = 1890 Chicago Colts |publisher = baseball-reference.com |access-date = August 16, 2008 }}</ref> or sometimes "Anson's Colts", referring to Cap's influence within the club. Anson was the first player in history credited with [[3,000 hit club|3,000 career hits]]. In 1897, after a disappointing record of 59–73 and a ninth-place finish, Anson was released by the club as both a player and manager.<ref name="google1">{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mW2wa33Q4EAC&pg=PP1 |title = 365 Oddball Days in Chicago Cubs History |publisher = Clerisy Press |year = 2010 |access-date = April 5, 2012 |isbn = 9781578603435 }}</ref> His departure after 22 years led local newspaper reporters to refer to the Colts as the "Orphans".<ref name="google1" />

After the [[1900 in baseball|1900 season]], the [[American League|American Base-Ball League]] formed as a rival professional league. The club's old White Stockings nickname (eventually shortened to White Sox) was adopted by [[Chicago White Sox|a new American League neighbor to the south]].<ref name="1898orphans">{{cite web |url = https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1898.shtml |title = 1898 Chicago Orphans |publisher = baseball-reference.com |access-date = August 16, 2008 }}</ref>

====1902–1920: A Cubs dynasty====
[[File:1906 Chicago Cubs.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The 1906 Cubs won a record 116 of 154 games. They then won back-to-back World Series titles in 1907–08.]] In 1902, Spalding, who by this time had revamped the roster to boast what would soon be one of the best teams of the early century, sold the club to [[Jim Hart (manager)|Jim Hart]]. Referencing the youth of the team's roster, the ''Chicago Daily News'' called the franchise the Cubs in 1902; it officially took the name five years later.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bastian|first=Jordan|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/chicago-cubs-team-name-origin|title=How they came to be called the Cubs|website=[[Major League Baseball|MLB.com]]|date=December 1, 2021|accessdate=April 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sparks|first=Glen|url=https://sabr.org/research/article/the-evolution-of-nicknames-for-the-north-siders/|title=The Evolution of Nicknames for the North Siders|publisher=[[Society for American Baseball Research]]|date=2019|accessdate=April 17, 2024}}</ref> During this period, which has become known as baseball's [[dead-ball era]], Cub [[infielder]]s [[Joe Tinker]], [[Johnny Evers]], and [[Frank Chance]] were made famous as a double-play combination by [[Franklin P. Adams]]' poem "[[Baseball's Sad Lexicon]]". The poem first appeared in the July 18, 1910, edition of the ''[[New York Evening Mail]]''. [[Mordecai Brown|Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown]], [[Jack Taylor (1900s pitcher)|Jack Taylor]], [[Ed Reulbach]], [[Jack Pfiester]], and [[Orval Overall]] were several key pitchers for the Cubs during this time period. With Chance acting as player-manager from 1905 to 1912, the Cubs won four pennants and two World Series titles over a five-year span. Although they fell to the "Hitless Wonders" White Sox in the [[1906 World Series]], the Cubs recorded a record 116 victories and the [[List of best MLB season records|best winning percentage]] (.763) in Major League history. With mostly the same roster, Chicago won back-to-back World Series championships in [[1907 World Series|1907]] and [[1908 World Series|1908]], becoming the first Major League club to play three times in the Fall Classic and the first to win it twice. However, the Cubs would not win another World Series until [[2016 World Series|2016]]; this remains the longest championship drought in North American professional sports.

[[File:1913 Chicago Cubs.jpg|thumb|right|{{center|1913 Chicago Cubs}}]]
The next season, veteran catcher [[Johnny Kling]] left the team to become a professional [[pocket billiards]] player. Some historians think Kling's absence was significant enough to prevent the Cubs from also winning a third straight title in 1909, as they finished 6 games out of first place.<ref>{{cite book |title = Three Finger |first1 = Cindy |last1 = Thomson |first2 = Scott |last2 = Brown |date = January 2006 |publisher = University of Nebraska Press |isbn = 0-8032-4448-7 |pages = 88–89 }}</ref> When Kling returned the next year, the Cubs won the [[Pennant (sports)|pennant]] again, but lost to the Philadelphia Athletics in the [[1910 World Series]].

In 1914, advertising executive [[Albert Lasker]] obtained a large block of the club's shares and before the 1916 season assumed majority ownership of the franchise. Lasker brought in a wealthy partner, [[Charles Weeghman]], the proprietor of a popular chain of lunch counters who had previously owned the [[Chicago Whales]] of the short-lived [[Federal League]]. As principal owners, the pair moved the club from the West Side Grounds to the much newer [[Weeghman Park]], which had been constructed for the Whales only two years earlier, where they remain to this day. The Cubs responded by winning a pennant in the war-shortened season of 1918, where they played a part in [[Curse of the Bambino|another team's curse]]: the [[Boston Red Sox]] defeated [[Grover Cleveland Alexander]]'s Cubs four games to two in the [[1918 World Series]], Boston's last Series championship until 2004.

Beginning in 1916, [[William Wrigley, Jr.|Bill Wrigley]] of chewing-gum fame acquired an increasing quantity of stock in the Cubs and by 1921, he was the majority owner.<ref name=Amdur/> Meanwhile, [[William Veeck, Sr.|Bill Veeck, Sr.]] began his tenure as team president in 1919. Veeck would hold that post throughout the 1920s and into the 1930s. The management team of Wrigley and Veeck came to be known as the "Double-Bills".<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Nelson|editor-first=Murray R.|title=American Sports: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas|volume=1|page=248|publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing|Bloomsbury USA]]|date=2013|isbn=978-0313397530}}</ref>

===The Wrigley years (1921–1945)===
====1929–1938: Every three years====
[[File:Hack Wilson BBHOF (cropped).png|thumb|upright|Hall of Famer [[Hack Wilson]]]]
[[File:1920 cub logo.svg|thumb|left|120px|Club logo (1927–1936)<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.sportslogos.net/logos/list_by_team/54 |title = Chicago Cubs Logos }}</ref>]]Near the end of the first decade of the double-Bills' guidance, the Cubs won the NL Pennant in 1929 and then achieved the unusual feat of winning a pennant every three years, following up the 1929 flag with league titles in 1932, 1935, and 1938. Their success did not extend to the [[List of baseball jargon (F)|Fall Classic]], as they fell to their [[American League|AL]] rivals each time. The [[1932 World Series|'32 series]] against the [[1932 New York Yankees season|Yankees]] featured Babe Ruth's "[[Babe Ruth's called shot|called shot]]" at Wrigley Field in game three. There were some historic moments for the Cubs as well; In 1930, [[Hack Wilson]], one of the top home run hitters in the game, had one of the most impressive seasons in MLB history, hitting 56 home runs and establishing the current runs-batted-in record of 191. That 1930 club, which boasted six eventual hall of fame members (Wilson, [[Gabby Hartnett]], [[Rogers Hornsby]], [[George Kelly (baseball)|George "High Pockets" Kelly]], [[Kiki Cuyler]] and manager [[Joe McCarthy (baseball manager)|Joe McCarthy]]) established the current team batting average record of .309. In 1935 the Cubs claimed the pennant in thrilling fashion, winning a record 21 games in a row in September. The [[1938 Chicago Cubs season|'38 club]] saw [[Dizzy Dean]] lead the team's pitching staff and provided a historic moment when they won a crucial late-season game at Wrigley Field over the [[1938 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh Pirates]] with a [[walk-off home run]] by Gabby Hartnett, which became known in baseball [[folklore|lore]] as "[[The Homer in the Gloamin']]".<ref>{{cite news |first = Marc |last = Zarefsky |title = 'Homer in the Gloamin' most memorable |date = August 8, 2007 |work = MLB.com |url = http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/chc/y2007/m07/d20/c2099223.jsp |access-date = June 11, 2008 |archive-date = July 14, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110714103408/http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/chc/y2007/m07/d20/c2099223.jsp |url-status = dead }}</ref>

After the "Double-Bills" (Wrigley and Veeck) died in 1932 and 1933 respectively, [[P.K. Wrigley]], son of Bill Wrigley, took over as majority owner. He was unable to extend his father's baseball success beyond 1938, and the Cubs slipped into years of mediocrity, although the Wrigley family would retain control of the team until 1981.<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/17/sports/chicago-cubs-are-sold-by-wrigley-to-tribune-co-for-20.5million.html |title = CHICAGO CUBS ARE SOLD BY WRIGLEY TO TRIBUNE CO. FOR $20.5MILLION |last = Amdur |first = Neil |date = June 17, 1981 |newspaper = The New York Times |issn = 0362-4331 |access-date = October 30, 2016 }}</ref>
[[File:9048 chicago cubs-primary-1941.png|thumb|left|upright=0.75|Cubs logo (1941–1945)]]

====1945: "The Curse of the Billy Goat"====
[[File:Billy Goat Tavern 060527.jpg|thumb|upright|A [[Curse of the Billy Goat|sports-related curse]] that was supposedly placed on the Chicago Cubs by [[Billy Goat Tavern]] owner William Sianis during Game 4 of the 1945 World Series.]]
The Cubs enjoyed one more pennant at the close of World War II, finishing 98–56. Due to the wartime travel restrictions, the first three games of the [[1945 World Series]] were played in [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Detroit]], where the Cubs won two games, including a one-hitter by [[Claude Passeau]], and the final four were played at Wrigley. The Cubs lost the series, and did not return until the [[2016 World Series]]. After losing the 1945 World Series to the [[Detroit Tigers]], the Cubs finished with a respectable 82–71 record in the following year, but this was only good enough for third place.

In the following two decades, the Cubs played mostly forgettable baseball, finishing among the worst teams in the National League on an almost annual basis. From 1947 to 1966, they only notched one winning season. Longtime infielder-manager [[Phil Cavarretta]], who had been a key player during the 1945 season, was fired during spring training in 1954 after admitting the team was unlikely to finish above fifth place. Although shortstop [[Ernie Banks]] would become one of the star players in the league during the next decade, finding help for him proved a difficult task, as quality players such as [[Hank Sauer]] were few and far between. This, combined with poor ownership decisions such as the [[College of Coaches]], and the ill-fated trade of future [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Fame]] member [[Lou Brock]] to the Cardinals for pitcher [[Ernie Broglio]] (who won only seven games over the next three seasons), hampered on-field performance.

====1969: Fall of '69====
{{Main|1969 Chicago Cubs season}}
[[File:Ernie Banks 1969.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Ernie Banks]] ("Mr. Cub")]]
The late-1960s brought hope of a renaissance, with third baseman [[Ron Santo]], pitcher [[Ferguson Jenkins]], and outfielder [[Billy Williams (left fielder)|Billy Williams]] joining Banks. After losing a dismal 103 games in 1966, the Cubs brought home consecutive winning records in [[1967 Major League Baseball season|'67]] and [[1968 Major League Baseball season|'68]], marking the first time a Cub team had accomplished that feat in over two decades.

In {{mlby|1969}} the Cubs, managed by [[Leo Durocher]], built a substantial lead in the newly created [[National League East]]ern Division by mid-August. [[Ken Holtzman]] pitched a no-hitter on August 19, and the division lead grew to 8 {{frac|1|2}} games over the St. Louis Cardinals and by 9 {{frac|1|2}} games over the [[1969 New York Mets season|New York Mets]]. After the game of September 2, the Cubs record was 84–52 with the Mets in second place at 77–55. But then a losing streak began just as a Mets winning streak was beginning. The Cubs lost the final game of a series at Cincinnati, then came home to play the resurgent Pittsburgh Pirates (who would finish in third place). After losing the first two games by scores of 9–2 and 13–4, the Cubs led going into the ninth inning. A win would be a positive springboard since the Cubs were to play a crucial series with the Mets the next day. But Willie Stargell drilled a two-out, two-strike pitch from the Cubs' ace reliever, Phil Regan, onto Sheffield Avenue to tie the score in the top of the ninth. The Cubs would lose 7–5 in extra innings.[6]
Burdened by a four-game losing streak, the Cubs traveled to Shea Stadium for a short two-game set. The Mets won both games, and the Cubs left New York with a record of 84–58 just 1⁄2 game in front. More of the same followed in Philadelphia, as a 99 loss Phillies team nonetheless defeated the Cubs twice, to extend Chicago's losing streak to eight games. In a key play in the second game, on September 11, Cubs starter Dick Selma threw a surprise pickoff attempt to third baseman Ron Santo, who was nowhere near the bag or the ball. Selma's throwing error opened the gates to a Phillies rally. After that second Philly loss, the Cubs were 84–60 and the Mets had pulled ahead at 85–57. The Mets would not look back. The Cubs' eight-game losing streak finally ended the next day in St. Louis, but the Mets were in the midst of a ten-game winning streak, and the Cubs, wilting from team fatigue, generally deteriorated in all phases of the game.[1] The Mets (who had lost a record 120 games 7 years earlier), would go on to win the World Series. The Cubs, despite a respectable 92–70 record, would be remembered for having lost a remarkable 17½ games in the standings to the Mets in the last quarter of the season.

====1977–1979: June Swoon====
{{Main|1977 Chicago Cubs season}}
Following the 1969 season, the club posted winning records for the next few seasons, but no playoff action. After the core players of those teams started to move on, the team declined during the 1970s, and they became known as "the Loveable Losers",<ref name=Lukach>{{cite web|last=Lukach|first=Adam|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2018/03/28/can-we-still-call-the-cubs-lovable-losers-in-2018|title= Can we still call the Cubs 'lovable losers' in 2018? |work=[[The Chicago Tribune]]|date=May 9, 2019|orig-date=March 28, 2018|accessdate=April 15, 2024}}</ref> which would become a long-standing moniker for the club.<ref name=Lukach/><ref>{{cite web|last=Robson|first=Dan|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/lovable-losers-agonizing-history-chicago-cubs/|title=Lovable losers: The agonizing history of the Chicago Cubs|publisher=[[Sportsnet]]|date=October 25, 2016|accessdate=April 15, 2024}}</ref> In {{mlby|1977}}, the team found some life, but ultimately experienced one of its biggest collapses. The Cubs hit a high-water mark on June 28 at 47–22, boasting an {{frac|8|1|2}} game NL East lead, as they were led by [[Bobby Murcer]] (27 HR/89 RBI), and [[Rick Reuschel]] (20–10). However, the [[1977 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]] cut the lead to two by the All-star break, as the Cubs sat 19 games over .500, but they swooned late in the season, going 20–40 after July 31.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1977.shtml|title=1977 Chicago Cubs Statistics|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|accessdate=April 15, 2024}}</ref> The Cubs finished in fourth place at 81–81, while Philadelphia surged, finishing with 101 wins. The following two seasons also saw the Cubs get off to a fast start, as the team rallied to over 10 games above .500 well into both seasons, only to again wear down and play poorly later on, and ultimately settling back to mediocrity. This trait is known as the "June Swoon".<ref>{{cite web|last=Yellon|first=Al|url=https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2013/1/13/3842610/cubs-history-game-september-13-1970|title=A Game From Cubs History: September 13, 1970|work=[[SB Nation|Bleed Cubbie Blue]]|date=January 13, 2013|accessdate=April 15, 2024}}</ref> Again, the Cubs' unusually high number of day games is often pointed to as one reason for the team's inconsistent late-season play.

Wrigley died in 1977.<ref>{{cite web|last=Eskenazi|first=Gerald|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/04/13/archives/pk-wrigley-82-owner-of-cubs-and-chewing-gum-company-head.html|title=P. K. Wrigley, 82, Owner of Cubs And Chewing Gum Company Head|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=April 13, 1977|accessdate=April 15, 2024}}</ref> The Wrigley family sold the team to the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' for $20.5 million in 1981, ending the family's 65-year relationship with the Cubs.<ref name=Amdur>{{cite web|last=Amdur|first=Neil|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/17/sports/chicago-cubs-are-sold-by-wrigley-to-tribune-co-for-20.5million.html|title=Chicago Cubs Are Sold by Wrigley to Tribune Co. for $20.5 million|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 17, 1981|accessdate=April 15, 2024}}</ref>

===Tribune Company years (1981–2008)===
====1984: Heartbreak====
{{Main|1984 Chicago Cubs season}}
[[File:Pic of ryne sandberg from the early 90's.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Ryne Sandberg set numerous league and club records in his career and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2005.]]After over a dozen more subpar seasons, in 1981 the Cubs hired GM [[Dallas Green (baseball)|Dallas Green]] from Philadelphia to turn around the franchise. Green had managed the 1980 Phillies to the World Series title. One of his early GM moves brought in a young Phillies minor-league 3rd baseman named Ryne Sandberg, along with Larry Bowa for Iván DeJesús. The 1983 Cubs had finished 71–91 under Lee Elia, who was fired before the season ended by Green. Green continued the culture of change and overhauled the Cubs roster, front-office and coaching staff prior to 1984. [[Jim Frey]] was hired to manage the 1984 Cubs, with [[Don Zimmer]] coaching 3rd base and [[Billy Connors]] serving as pitching coach.

Green shored<ref name=1984Cubs/> up the 1984 roster with a series of transactions. In December 1983 [[Scott Sanderson (baseball)|Scott Sanderson]] was acquired from Montreal in a three-team deal with San Diego for [[Carmelo Martínez]]. Pinch hitter [[Richie Hebner]] (.333 BA in 1984) was signed as a free-agent. In spring training, moves continued: LF [[Gary Matthews]] and CF [[Bobby Dernier]] came from Philadelphia on March 26, for [[Bill Campbell (baseball)|Bill Campbell]] and a minor leaguer. Reliever Tim Stoddard (10–6 3.82, 7 saves) was acquired the same day for a minor leaguer; veteran pitcher [[Ferguson Jenkins]] was released.

The team's commitment to contend was complete when Green made a midseason deal on June 15 to shore up the starting rotation due to injuries to [[Rick Reuschel]] (5–5) and Sanderson. The deal brought 1979 NL Rookie of the Year pitcher [[Rick Sutcliffe]] from the Cleveland Indians. [[Joe Carter]] (who was with the Triple-A [[Iowa Cubs]] at the time) and right fielder [[Mel Hall]] were sent to Cleveland for Sutcliffe and back-up catcher Ron Hassey (.333 with Cubs in 1984). Sutcliffe (5–5 with the Indians) immediately joined Sanderson (8–5 3.14), Eckersley (10–8 3.03), [[Steve Trout]] (13–7 3.41) and [[Dick Ruthven]] (6–10 5.04) in the starting rotation. Sutcliffe proceeded to go 16–1 for Cubs and capture the [[Cy Young Award]].<ref name=1984Cubs/>

The Cubs 1984 starting lineup was very strong.<ref name=1984Cubs/> It consisted of LF Matthews (.291 14–82 101 runs 17 SB), C [[Jody Davis (baseball)|Jody Davis]] (.256 19–94), RF [[Keith Moreland]] (.279 16–80), SS [[Larry Bowa]] (.223 10 SB), 1B [[Leon "Bull" Durham]] (.279 23–96 16SB), CF Dernier (.278 45 SB), 3B [[Ron Cey]] (.240 25–97), Closer [[Lee Smith (baseball)|Lee Smith]] (9–7 3.65 33 saves) and 1984 NL MVP [[Ryne Sandberg]] (.314 19–84 114 runs, 19 triples, 32 SB).<ref name=1984Cubs>{{cite web |url = https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1984.shtml |title = 1984 Chicago Cubs Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics |work = Baseball-Reference.com |access-date = August 12, 2010 }}</ref>

Reserve players Hebner, [[Thad Bosley]], [[Henry Cotto]], Hassey and [[Dave Owen (baseball)|Dave Owen]] produced exciting moments. The bullpen depth of [[Rich Bordi]], [[George Frazier (pitcher)|George Frazier]], [[Warren Brusstar]] and [[Dickie Noles]] did their job in getting the game to Smith or Stoddard.

At the top of the order, Dernier and Sandberg were exciting, aptly coined "the Daily Double" by [[Harry Caray]]. With strong defense – Dernier CF and Sandberg 2B, won the NL [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award|Gold Glove]]- solid pitching and clutch hitting, the Cubs were a well-balanced team. Following the "Daily Double", Matthews, Durham, Cey, Moreland and Davis gave the Cubs an order with no gaps to pitch around. Sutcliffe anchored a strong top-to-bottom rotation, and Smith was one of the top closers in the game.

The shift in the Cubs' fortunes was characterized June 23 on the [[Major League Baseball on NBC|"NBC Saturday Game of the Week"]] contest against the St. Louis Cardinals; it has since been dubbed simply "[[The Sandberg Game]]". With the nation watching and Wrigley Field packed, Sandberg emerged as a superstar with not one, but two game-tying home runs against Cardinals closer [[Bruce Sutter]]. With his shots in the 9th and 10th innings, Wrigley Field erupted and Sandberg set the stage for a comeback win that cemented the Cubs as the team to beat in the East. No one would catch them.

In early August the Cubs swept the Mets in a 4-game home series that further distanced them from the pack. An infamous Keith Moreland-[[Ed Lynch (baseball)|Ed Lynch]] fight erupted after Lynch hit Moreland with a pitch, perhaps forgetting Moreland was once a linebacker at the University of Texas. It was the second game of a doubleheader and the Cubs had won the first game in part due to a three-run home run by Moreland. After the bench-clearing fight, the Cubs won the second game, and the sweep put the Cubs at 68–45.

In 1984, each league had two divisions, East and West. The divisional winners met in a best-of-5 series to advance to the World Series, in a "2–3" format, first two games were played at the home of the team who did not have home-field advantage. Then the last three games were played at the home of the team, with home-field advantage. Thus the first two games were played at Wrigley Field and the next three at the home of their opponents, San Diego. A common and unfounded myth is that since Wrigley Field did not have lights at that time the National League decided to give the home field advantage to the winner of the NL West. In fact, home-field advantage had rotated between the winners of the East and West since 1969 when the league expanded. In even-numbered years, the NL West had home-field advantage. In odd-numbered years, the NL East had home-field advantage. Since the NL East winners had had home-field advantage in 1983, the NL West winners were entitled to it.

The confusion may stem from the fact that Major League Baseball did decide that, should the Cubs make it to the World Series, the American League winner would have home-field advantage. At the time home field advantage was rotated between each league. Odd-numbered years the AL had home-field advantage. Even-numbered years the NL had home-field advantage. In the 1982 World Series the St. Louis Cardinals of the NL had home-field advantage. In the 1983 World Series the Baltimore Orioles of the AL had home-field advantage.

In the [[1984 National League Championship Series|NLCS]], the Cubs easily won the first two games at Wrigley Field against the [[1984 San Diego Padres season|San Diego Padres]]. The Padres were the winners of the Western Division with [[Steve Garvey]], [[Tony Gwynn]], [[Eric Show]], [[Goose Gossage]] and [[Alan Wiggins]]. With wins of 13–0 and 4–2, the Cubs needed to win only one game of the next three in San Diego to make it to the World Series. After being beaten in Game 3 7–1, the Cubs lost Game 4 when Smith, with the game tied 5–5, allowed a game-winning home run to Garvey in the bottom of the ninth inning. In Game 5 the Cubs took a 3–0 lead into the 6th inning, and a 3–2 lead into the seventh with Sutcliffe (who won the [[Cy Young Award]] that year) still on the mound. Then, Leon Durham had a sharp grounder go under his glove. This critical error helped the Padres win the game 6–3, with a 4-run 7th inning and keep Chicago out of the [[1984 World Series]] against the [[Detroit Tigers]]. The loss ended a spectacular season for the Cubs, one that brought alive a slumbering franchise and made the Cubs relevant for a whole new generation of Cubs fans.

The Padres would be defeated in 5 games by Sparky Anderson's Tigers in the World Series.

[[File:Andre Dawson (August 1988).jpg|thumb|upright=1.05|[[Andre Dawson]], 5× All-Star and 1987 NL MVP during tenure in Chicago]]The 1985 season brought high hopes. The club started out well, going 35–19 through mid-June, but injuries to Sutcliffe and others in the pitching staff contributed to a 13-game losing streak that pushed the Cubs out of contention.

====1989: NL East division championship====
{{Main|1989 Chicago Cubs season}}
In 1989, the first full season with night baseball at Wrigley Field, [[Don Zimmer]]'s Cubs were led by a core group of veterans in [[Ryne Sandberg]], [[Rick Sutcliffe]] and [[Andre Dawson]], who were boosted by a crop of youngsters such as [[Mark Grace]], [[Shawon Dunston]], [[Greg Maddux]], Rookie of the Year [[Jerome Walton]], and Rookie of the Year Runner-Up Dwight Smith. The Cubs won the NL East once again that season winning 93 games. This time the Cubs met the [[1989 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] in the [[1989 National League Championship Series|NLCS]]. After splitting the first two games at home, the Cubs headed to the Bay Area, where despite holding a lead at some point in each of the next three games, bullpen meltdowns and managerial blunders ultimately led to three straight losses. The Cubs could not overcome the efforts of Will Clark, whose home run off Maddux, just after a managerial visit to the mound, led Maddux to think Clark knew what pitch was coming. Afterward, Maddux would speak into his glove during any mound conversation, beginning what is a norm today. Mark Grace was 11–17 in the series with 8 RBI. Eventually, the Giants lost to the "[[Bash Brothers]]" and the [[1989 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland A's]] in the famous "''[[1989 World Series|Earthquake Series]]''".

====1998: Wild card race and home run chase====
[[File:Sosa swinging2.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9|[[Sammy Sosa]] was the captain of the Chicago Cubs during his tenure with the team.]]
{{Main|1998 Chicago Cubs season|1998 Major League Baseball home run record chase}}
The 1998 season began on a somber note with the death of broadcaster [[Harry Caray]]. After the retirement of Sandberg and the trade of Dunston, the Cubs had holes to fill, and the signing of [[Henry Rodríguez (outfielder)|Henry Rodríguez]] to bat cleanup provided protection for [[Sammy Sosa]] in the lineup, as Rodriguez slugged 31 round-trippers in his first season in Chicago. [[Kevin Tapani]] led the club with a career-high 19 wins while [[Rod Beck]] anchored a strong bullpen and [[Mark Grace]] turned in one of his best seasons. The Cubs were swamped by media attention in 1998, and the team's two biggest headliners were Sosa and rookie flamethrower [[Kerry Wood]]. Wood's signature performance was one-hitting the [[1998 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]], a game in which he tied the major league record of 20 strikeouts in nine innings. His torrid strikeout numbers earned Wood the nickname ''"Kid K",'' and ultimately earned him the 1998 [[NL Rookie of the Year]] award. Sosa caught fire in June, hitting a major league record 20 home runs in the month, and his home run race with Cardinal's slugger [[Mark McGwire]] transformed the pair into international superstars in a matter of weeks. McGwire finished the season with a new major league record of 70 home runs, but Sosa's .308 average and 66 homers earned him the [[National League MVP Award]]. After a down-to-the-wire [[Wild card (sports)|Wild Card]] chase with the [[1998 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]], Chicago and San Francisco ended the regular season tied, and thus squared off in a one-game playoff at Wrigley Field. Third baseman [[Gary Gaetti]] hit the eventual game-winning homer in the playoff game. The win propelled the Cubs into the postseason for the first time since 1989 with a 90–73 regular-season record. The bats went cold in October, as manager [[Jim Riggleman]]'s club batted .183 and scored only four runs en route to being swept by [[1998 Atlanta Braves season|Atlanta]] in the [[1998 National League Division Series|National League Division Series]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/3375336|title=1998 marked banner year for Cubs|website=Major League Baseball|language=en-US|access-date=May 20, 2017|archive-date=October 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023133722/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/3375336|url-status=dead}}</ref> The home run chase between Sosa, McGwire and [[Ken Griffey Jr.]] helped professional baseball to bring in a new crop of fans as well as bringing back some fans who had been disillusioned by the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|1994 strike]].<ref>{{cite news |title = Sosa discusses future, McGwire's Hall chances |date = December 4, 2006 |publisher = [[ESPN]] |url = https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2683234 |agency = Associated Press |access-date = June 11, 2008 }}</ref> The Cubs retained many players who experienced career years in 1998, but, after a fast start in 1999, they collapsed again (starting with being swept at the hands of the cross-town [[1998 Chicago White Sox season|White Sox]] in mid-June) and finished in the bottom of the division for the next two seasons.

====2001: Playoff push====
{{Main|2001 Chicago Cubs season}}
Despite losing fan favorite Grace to free agency and the lack of production from newcomer [[Todd Hundley]], skipper [[Don Baylor]]'s Cubs put together a good season in 2001. The [[2001 Major League Baseball season|season]] started with Mack Newton being brought in to preach "positive thinking". One of the biggest stories of the season transpired as the club made a midseason deal for [[Fred McGriff]], which was drawn out for nearly a month as McGriff debated waiving his [[no-trade clause]].<ref>{{cite news |title = Cubs still waiting for McGriff's OK |date = July 14, 2001 |publisher = [[ESPN]] |url = https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=1226222&type=news |agency = Associated Press |access-date = June 11, 2008 }}</ref> The Cubs led the wild card race by 2.5 games in early September, but crumbled when [[Preston Wilson]] hit a three-run walk-off homer off of closer [[Tom Gordon|Tom "Flash" Gordon]], which halted the team's momentum. The team was unable to make another serious charge, and finished at 88–74, five games behind both [[2001 Houston Astros season|Houston]] and [[2001 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]], who tied for first. Sosa had perhaps his finest season and [[Jon Lieber]] led the staff with a 20-win season.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2001.shtml |title = 2001 Chicago Cubs Statistics and Roster |website = Baseball-Reference.com |access-date = June 11, 2008 }}</ref>

====2003: Five more outs====
{{Main|2003 Chicago Cubs season|Steve Bartman incident}}
The Cubs had high expectations in 2002, but the squad played poorly. On July 5, 2002, the Cubs promoted assistant general manager and player personnel director [[Jim Hendry]] to the General Manager position. The club responded by hiring [[Dusty Baker]] and by making some major moves in 2003. Most notably, they traded with the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] for outfielder [[Kenny Lofton]] and third baseman [[Aramis Ramírez]], and rode dominant pitching, led by Kerry Wood and [[Mark Prior]], as the Cubs led the division down the stretch.

[[File:Kerry Wood 2008.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Kerry Wood]], along with Mark Prior, led the Cubs' rotation in 2003.]]

Chicago halted the [[2003 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]]' run to the playoffs by taking four of five games from the Cardinals at Wrigley Field in early September, after which they won their first division title in 14 years. They then went on to defeat the [[2003 Atlanta Braves season|Atlanta Braves]] in a dramatic five-game [[2003 National League Division Series|Division Series]], the franchise's first postseason series win since beating the [[1908 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] in the [[1908 World Series]].

After losing an extra-inning game in Game 1, the Cubs rallied and took a three-games-to-one lead over the Wild Card [[2003 Florida Marlins season|Florida Marlins]] in the [[2003 National League Championship Series|National League Championship Series]]. Florida shut the Cubs out in Game 5, but the Cubs returned home to Wrigley Field with young pitcher [[Mark Prior]] to lead the Cubs in Game 6 as they took a 3–0 lead into the 8th inning. It was at this point when a now-infamous [[Steve Bartman incident|incident]] took place. Several spectators attempted to catch a foul ball off the bat of [[Luis Castillo (second baseman)|Luis Castillo]]. A Chicago Cubs fan by the name of [[Steve Bartman incident|Steve Bartman]], of Northbrook, Illinois, reached for the ball and deflected it away from the glove of [[Moisés Alou]] for the second out of the eighth inning. Alou reacted angrily toward the stands and after the game stated that he would have caught the ball.<ref name="Bartman">{{cite news |title = Report: Alou initially said he would have caught the Bartman ball |year = 2004 |publisher = [[ESPN]] |url = https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3423732170 |agency = Associated Press |access-date = June 11, 2008 }}</ref> Alou at one point recanted, saying he would not have been able to make the play, but later said this was just an attempt to make Bartman feel better and believing the whole incident should be forgotten.<ref name="Bartman"/> Interference was not called on the play, as the ball was ruled to be on the spectator side of the wall. Castillo was eventually walked by Prior. Two batters later, and to the chagrin of the packed stadium, Cubs shortstop [[Alex Gonzalez (shortstop, born 1973)|Alex Gonzalez]] misplayed an inning-ending double play, loading the bases. The error would lead to eight Florida runs and a Marlins victory. Despite sending [[Kerry Wood]] to the mound and holding a lead twice, the Cubs ultimately dropped Game 7, and failed to reach the [[2003 World Series|World Series]].

The "Steve Bartman incident" was seen as the "first domino" in the turning point of the era, and the Cubs did not win a playoff game for the next eleven seasons.<ref name=BBC>{{cite web |title = Baseball fan feels Chicago's fury |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3200582.stm |work = [[BBC News]] |date = October 17, 2003 |access-date = July 9, 2008 }}</ref>

====2004–2006====
{{Main|2004 Chicago Cubs season|2005 Chicago Cubs season|2006 Chicago Cubs season}}
In [[2004 Major League Baseball season|2004]], the Cubs were a consensus pick by most media outlets to win the World Series. The offseason acquisition of [[Derek Lee (baseball)|Derek Lee]] (who was acquired in a trade with Florida for [[Hee-seop Choi]]) and the return of [[Greg Maddux]] only bolstered these expectations. Despite a mid-season deal for [[Nomar Garciaparra]], misfortune struck the Cubs again. They led the Wild Card by 1.5 games over the [[2004 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] and the [[2004 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] on September 25. On that day, both teams lost, giving the Cubs a chance at increasing the lead to 2.5 games with only eight games remaining in the season, but reliever [[LaTroy Hawkins]] blew a save to the [[2004 New York Mets season|New York Mets]], and the Cubs lost the game in extra innings. The defeat seemingly deflated the team, as they proceeded to drop six of their last eight games as the Astros won the Wild Card.
[[File:RyanDempster.jpg|thumb|left|144px|Dempster emerged in 2004 and became the Cubs' regular closer.]]
Despite the fact that the Cubs had won 89 games, this fallout was decidedly unlovable, as the Cubs traded superstar [[Sammy Sosa]] after he had left the season's final game after the first pitch, which resulted in a fine (Sosa later stated that he had gotten permission from Baker to leave early, but he regretted doing so).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/sammy-sosa-says-dusty-baker-gave-permission-leave-cubs-final-2004-game | title=Sammy Sosa says Dusty Baker gave permission to leave Cubs' final 2004 game | date=April 11, 2020 }}</ref> Already a controversial figure in the clubhouse after his [[Sammy Sosa#Corked bat incident|corked-bat incident]],<ref>{{cite news |first = Jayson |last = Stark |title = Sosa's legacy could be broken beyond repair |date = June 2, 2004 |publisher = [[ESPN]] |url = http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stark_jayson/1562825.html |access-date = June 11, 2008 |author-link = Jayson Stark }}</ref> Sosa's actions alienated much of his once strong fan base as well as the few teammates still on good terms with him, to the point where his boombox was reportedly smashed after he left to signify the end of an era.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2014/04/23/sammy-sosa-wrigley-field-centennial-chicago-cubs | title=Sammy Sosa's exclusion from Wrigley Field centennial lessens the occasion | newspaper=Sports Illustrated }}</ref> The disappointing season also saw fans start to become frustrated with the constant injuries to ace pitchers Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. Additionally, the 2004 season led to the departure of popular commentator [[Steve Stone (baseball)|Steve Stone]], who had become increasingly critical of management during broadcasts and was verbally attacked by reliever [[Kent Mercker]].<ref>{{cite news |title = Cubs shocked by Stone's comments |date = October 5, 2004 |publisher = [[ESPN]] |url = https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1893170 |agency = Associated Press |access-date = June 11, 2008 }}</ref> Things were no better in [[2005 Major League Baseball season|2005]], despite a career year from first baseman [[Derrek Lee]] and the emergence of closer [[Ryan Dempster]]. The club struggled and suffered more key injuries, only managing to win 79 games after being picked by many to be a serious contender for the National League pennant. In 2006, the bottom fell out as the Cubs finished 66–96, last in the [[National League Central]].

====2007–2008: Back to back division titles====
[[File:Alfonso Soriano 4.jpg|thumb|right|175px|[[Alfonso Soriano]] signed with the club in 2007.]]
{{Main|2007 Chicago Cubs season|2008 Chicago Cubs season}}
After finishing last in the NL Central with 66 wins in 2006, the Cubs re-tooled and went from "worst to first" in 2007. In the offseason they signed [[Alfonso Soriano]] to a contract at eight years for $136&nbsp;million,<ref>{{cite web |last = Muscat |first = Carrie |date = November 20, 2006 |url = http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061120&content_id=1743683&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc |title = Cubs complete blockbuster with Soriano |work = MLB.com |access-date = July 18, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and replaced manager [[Dusty Baker]] with fiery veteran manager [[Lou Piniella]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=chc&coachorstaffid=120586 |title = Lou Piniella Bio |work = MLB.com |access-date = July 18, 2007 |archive-date = July 16, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716111818/http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=chc&coachorstaffid=120586 |url-status = dead }}</ref> After a rough start, which included a brawl between [[Michael Barrett (baseball)|Michael Barrett]] and [[Carlos Zambrano]], the Cubs overcame the [[2007 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]], who had led the division for most of the season. The Cubs traded Barrett to the Padres, and later acquired catcher [[Jason Kendall]] from Oakland. Kendall was highly successful with his management of the pitching rotation and helped at the plate as well. By September, [[Geovany Soto]] became the full-time starter behind the plate, replacing the veteran Kendall. Winning streaks in June and July, coupled with a pair of dramatic, late-inning wins against the [[2007 Cincinnati Reds season|Reds]], led to the Cubs ultimately clinching the NL Central with a record of 85–77. They met [[2007 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Arizona]] in the [[2007 National League Division Series|NLDS]], but controversy followed as Piniella, in a move that has since come under scrutiny,<ref>{{cite news |first = David |last = Sheinin |title = Cleveland... And Lou Piniella's bold/idiotic move |date = October 4, 2007 |newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] |url = http://blog.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2007/10/cleveland_and_lou_piniellas_bo.html |access-date = June 11, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081014021258/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2007/10/cleveland_and_lou_piniellas_bo.html |archive-date = October 14, 2008 }}</ref> pulled Carlos Zambrano after the sixth inning of a pitcher's duel with [[Arizona Diamondbacks|D-Backs]] [[ace (baseball)|ace]] [[Brandon Webb]], to "....save Zambrano for (a potential) Game 4." The Cubs, however, were unable to come through, losing the first game and eventually stranding over 30 baserunners in a three-game Arizona sweep.<ref>{{cite news |title = Arizona Diamondbacks Sweep Chicago Cubs in 3-Game Series |date = October 6, 2007 |publisher = [[Fox News]] |url = http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,299903,00.html |agency = Associated Press |access-date = June 11, 2008 }}</ref>

[[File:Zambrano2.JPG|thumb|left|180px|[[Carlos Zambrano]] warming up before a game]]The Tribune company, in financial distress, was acquired by real-estate mogul Sam Zell in December 2007. This acquisition included the Cubs. However, Zell did not take an active part in running the baseball franchise, instead concentrating on putting together a deal to sell it.

The Cubs successfully defended their National League Central title in [[2008 Major League Baseball season|2008]], going to the postseason in consecutive years for the first time since 1906–08. The offseason was dominated by three months of unsuccessful trade talks with the [[Baltimore Orioles|Orioles]] involving 2B [[Brian Roberts (baseball)|Brian Roberts]], as well as the signing of [[Chunichi Dragons]] star [[Kosuke Fukudome]].<ref>{{cite news |first = Lucy |last = Nicholson |title = Cubs Sign Fukudome |date = December 12, 2007 |url = http://chicagoist.com/2007/12/12/cubs_sign_fukud.php |work = Chicagoist.com |access-date = July 14, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090102134510/http://chicagoist.com/2007/12/12/cubs_sign_fukud.php |archive-date = January 2, 2009 }}</ref> The team recorded their 10,000th win in April, while establishing an early division lead. [[Reed Johnson]] and [[Jim Edmonds]] were added early on and [[Rich Harden]] was acquired from the [[2008 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] in early July.<ref>{{cite news |title = Cubs trade four players to A's for pitchers Harden, Gaudin |date = July 9, 2008 |publisher = [[ESPN]] |url = https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=3478902&type=story |access-date = July 14, 2008 }}</ref> The Cubs headed into the All-Star break with the NL's best record, and tied the league record with eight representatives to the [[2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star game]], including catcher Geovany Soto, who was named [[Rookie of the Year (award)|Rookie of the Year]]. The Cubs took control of the division by sweeping a four-game series in Milwaukee. On September 14, in a game moved to [[Miller Park (Milwaukee)|Miller Park]] due to [[Hurricane Ike]], Zambrano pitched a no-hitter against the [[2008 Houston Astros season|Astros]], and six days later the team clinched by beating [[2008 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] at Wrigley. The club ended the season with a 97–64 record<ref>{{cite news |first = Mike |last = Fitzpatrick |title = Marquis' slam leads Cubs over stumbling Mets |date = September 22, 2008 |work = [[Yahoo! Sports]] |url = https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap;_ylt=AnN.kp_oxFb6.rMK7TDikCgRvLYF?gid=280922121&prov=ap |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120714085508/http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap;_ylt=AnN.kp_oxFb6.rMK7TDikCgRvLYF?gid=280922121&prov=ap |url-status = dead |archive-date = July 14, 2012 |agency = Associated Press |access-date = September 23, 2008 }}</ref> and met [[2008 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles]] in the [[2008 National League Division Series|NLDS]]. The heavily favored Cubs took an early lead in Game 1, but [[James Loney (baseball)|James Loney]]'s grand slam off [[Ryan Dempster]] changed the series' momentum. Chicago committed numerous critical errors and were outscored 20–6 in a Dodger sweep, which provided yet another sudden ending.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081004&content_id=3590404&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc |title = Cubs' season ends with Game 3 in LA |date = October 5, 2008 |access-date = August 31, 2009 |first = Carrie |last = Muskat |work = MLB.com |archive-date = January 25, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090125114202/http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081004&content_id=3590404&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc |url-status = dead }}</ref>

===The Ricketts era (2009–present)===
The Ricketts family acquired a majority interest in the Cubs in 2009, ending the Tribune years. Apparently handcuffed by the Tribune's bankruptcy and the sale of the club to the Ricketts siblings, led by chairman [[Thomas S. Ricketts]], the [[2009 Chicago Cubs season|Cubs]]' quest for a NL Central three-peat started with notice that there would be less invested into contracts than in previous years. Chicago engaged [[2009 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] in a see-saw battle for first place into August 2009, but the Cardinals played to a torrid 20–6 pace that month, designating their rivals to battle in the Wild Card race, from which they were eliminated in the season's final week. The Cubs were plagued by injuries in 2009, and were only able to field their Opening Day starting lineup three times the entire season. Third baseman Aramis Ramírez injured his throwing shoulder in an early May game against the Milwaukee Brewers, sidelining him until early July and forcing journeyman players like [[Mike Fontenot]] and [[Aaron Miles]] into more prominent roles. Additionally, key players like Derrek Lee (who still managed to hit .306 with 35 home runs and 111 RBI that season), Alfonso Soriano, and Geovany Soto also nursed nagging injuries. The Cubs posted a winning record (83–78) for the third consecutive season, the first time the club had done so since [[1972 Chicago Cubs season|1972]], and a new era of ownership under the Ricketts family was approved by MLB owners in early October.

====2010–2014: The decline and rebuild====
{{Main|2010 Chicago Cubs season|2011 Chicago Cubs season|2012 Chicago Cubs season|2013 Chicago Cubs season|2014 Chicago Cubs season}}
[[File:Starlin Castro 09-05-2010.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Starlin Castro]] during his 2010 rookie season]]Rookie [[Starlin Castro]] debuted in early May (2010) as the starting shortstop. The club played poorly in the early season, finding themselves 10 games under .500 at the end of June. In addition, long-time ace Carlos Zambrano was pulled from a game against the White Sox on June 25 after a tirade and shoving match with Derrek Lee, and was suspended indefinitely by Jim Hendry, who called the conduct "unacceptable". On August 22, Lou Piniella, who had already announced his retirement at the end of the season, announced that he would leave the Cubs prematurely to take care of his sick mother. [[Mike Quade]] took over as the interim manager for the final 37 games of the year. Despite being well out of playoff contention the Cubs went 24–13 under Quade, the best record in baseball during that 37 game stretch, earning Quade the manager position going forward on October 19.

On December 3, 2010, Cubs broadcaster and former third baseman, [[Ron Santo]], died due to complications from bladder cancer and diabetes. He spent 13 seasons as a player with the Cubs, and at the time of his death was regarded as one of the greatest players not in the Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 20, 2010 |title=Cubs name Mike Quade manager |url=https://www.espn.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=5703131 |access-date=August 1, 2014 |website=[[ESPN]] Chicago}}</ref> He was posthumously elected to the [[Major League Baseball Hall of Fame]] in 2012.

Despite trading for pitcher [[Matt Garza]] and signing free-agent slugger [[Carlos Peña]], the Cubs finished the [[2011 Chicago Cubs season|2011 season]] 20 games under .500 with a record of 71–91. Weeks after the season came to an end, the club was rejuvenated in the form of a new philosophy, as new owner Tom Ricketts signed [[Theo Epstein]] away from the [[Boston Red Sox]],<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-chicago-cubs-hire-theo-epstein,0,2913884.story |work = Chicago Tribune |first = Paul |last = Sullivan |title = Done deal: Cubs land Epstein from Red Sox }}</ref> naming him club President and giving him a five-year contract worth over $18&nbsp;million, and subsequently discharged manager Mike Quade. Epstein, a proponent of [[sabremetrics]] and one of the architects of the [[2004 World Series|2004]] and [[2007 World Series]] championships in Boston, brought along [[Jed Hoyer]] from the [[San Diego Padres|Padres]] to fill the role of GM and hired [[Dale Sveum]] as manager. Although the team had a dismal 2012 season, losing 101 games (the worst record since 1966), it was largely expected. The youth movement ushered in by Epstein and Hoyer began as longtime fan favorite Kerry Wood retired in May, followed by [[Ryan Dempster]] and [[Geovany Soto]] being traded to [[2012 Texas Rangers season|Texas]] at the All-Star break for a group of minor league prospects headlined by [[Christian Villanueva]], but also included little thought of [[Kyle Hendricks]]. The development of Castro, [[Anthony Rizzo (baseball)|Anthony Rizzo]], [[Darwin Barney]], [[Brett Jackson]] and pitcher [[Jeff Samardzija]], as well as the replenishing of the minor-league system with prospects such as [[Javier Baez]], [[Albert Almora]], and [[Jorge Soler]] became the primary focus of the season, a philosophy which the new management said would carry over at least through the 2013 season.
[[File:Anthony Rizzo 2012.jpg|thumb|right|180px|One of two Cubs building blocks, [[Anthony Rizzo]], swinging in the box]]
The [[2013 Chicago Cubs season|2013 season]] resulted in much as the same the year before. Shortly before the trade deadline, the Cubs traded [[Matt Garza]] to the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] for [[Mike Olt]], [[Carl Edwards Jr.|Carl Edwards Jr]], [[Neil Ramirez]], and [[Justin Grimm]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.espn.com/dallas/mlb/story/_/id/9500209/texas-rangers-trade-matt-garza-chicago-cubs |title = Texas Rangers trade for Matt Garza of Chicago Cubs |publisher = ESPN |date = July 23, 2013 |access-date = August 1, 2014 }}</ref> Three days later, the Cubs sent [[Alfonso Soriano]] to the [[New York Yankees]] for minor leaguer [[Corey Black]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Ehalt |first=Matt |date=July 26, 2013 |title=Alfonso Soriano traded to New York Yankees from Chicago Cubs |url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/9511031/alfonso-soriano-traded-new-york-yankees-chicago-cubs |access-date=August 1, 2014 |website=ESPN New York}}</ref> The mid season fire sale led to another last place finish in the NL Central, finishing with a record of 66–96. Although there was a five-game improvement in the record from the year before, [[Anthony Rizzo (baseball)|Anthony Rizzo]] and [[Starlin Castro]] seemed to take steps backward in their development. On September 30, 2013, Theo Epstein made the decision to fire manager [[Dale Sveum]] after just two seasons at the helm of the Cubs. The regression of several young players was thought to be the main focus point, as the front office said Sveum would not be judged based on wins and losses. In two seasons as skipper, Sveum finished with a record of 127–197.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.espn.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/9748610/chicago-cubs-fire-manager-dale-sveum-two-years |title = Chicago Cubs fire manager Dale Sveum after two years |publisher = ESPN |date = October 1, 2013 |access-date = August 1, 2014 }}</ref>

The 2013 season was also notable as the Cubs drafted future Rookie of the Year and MVP [[Kris Bryant]] with the second overall selection.

On November 7, 2013, the Cubs hired [[San Diego Padres]] bench coach [[Rick Renteria]] to be the 53rd manager in team history.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/chc/cubs-name-rick-renteria-manager?ymd=20131106&content_id=63720570&vkey=news_chc |title = Cubs name Rick Renteria manager |publisher = Major League Baseball |date = November 7, 2013 |access-date = August 1, 2014 }}</ref> The Cubs finished the [[2014 Chicago Cubs season|2014 season]] in last place with a 73–89 record in Rentería's first and only season as manager.<ref>{{cite web |last1 = Rogers |first1 = Jesse |title = Cubs fire manager Rick Renteria after one season |date = October 31, 2014 |url = https://www.espn.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/11797575/chicago-cubs-fire-manager-rick-renteria-one-season |publisher = ESPN Chicago |access-date = October 31, 2014 }}</ref> Despite the poor record, the Cubs improved in many areas during 2014, including rebound years by Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro, ending the season with a winning record at home for the first time since 2009,<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.cubsinsider.com/cubs-notes-arrieta-cards-cubs-end-year-winning-record-wrigley/ |title = Cubs Notes: Arrieta Does It All Against Cards, Cubs End Year With Winning Record at Wrigley |newspaper = Cubs Insider |publisher = cubsinsider.com |date = September 25, 2014 }}</ref> and compiling a 33–34 record after the All-Star Break. However, following unexpected availability of Joe Maddon when he exercised a clause that triggered on October 14 with the departure of General Manager Andrew Friedman to the Los Angeles Dodgers,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kepner |first=Tyler |author-link=Tyler Kepner |date=October 24, 2014 |title=A Manager Opts Out to Test Free Agency |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/25/sports/baseball/manager-joe-maddon-opts-out-of-tampa-bay-rays-contract.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/25/sports/baseball/manager-joe-maddon-opts-out-of-tampa-bay-rays-contract.html |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=October 2, 2019 |work=[[The New York Times]] |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the Cubs relieved Rentería of his managerial duties on October 31, 2014. During the season, the Cubs drafted [[Kyle Schwarber]] with the fourth overall selection.

Hall of Famer [[Ernie Banks]] died of a heart attack on January 23, 2015, shortly before his 84th birthday.<ref name="Attack">{{cite web |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Mark |last2=Ziezulewicz |first2=Geoff |date=January 25, 2015 |title=Cubs legend Ernie Banks died of heart attack |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-ernie-banks-presser-met-20150125-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150125195428/http://my.chicagotribune.com/%23section/-1/article/p2p-82627232/ |archive-date=January 25, 2015 |access-date=January 25, 2015 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> The 2015 uniform carried a commemorative #14 patch on both its home and away jerseys in his honor.

====2015–2019: Championship run====
On November 2, 2014, the Cubs announced that [[Joe Maddon]] had signed a five-year contract to be the [[List of Chicago Cubs managers|54th manager]] in team history.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/100210426/chicago-cubs-hiring-joe-maddon-to-replace-rick-renteria |title = Cubs bring in Maddon, let Rentería go |work = [[MLB.com]] |date = November 2, 2014 |access-date = November 2, 2014 |archive-date = November 2, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141102053942/http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/100210426/chicago-cubs-hiring-joe-maddon-to-replace-rick-renteria |url-status = dead }}</ref> On December 10, 2014, Maddon announced that the team had signed free agent [[Jon Lester]] to a six-year, $155&nbsp;million contract. Many other trades and acquisitions occurred during the off season. The opening day lineup for the Cubs contained five new players including center fielder [[Dexter Fowler]]. Rookies [[Kris Bryant]] and [[Addison Russell]] were in the starting lineup by mid-April, along with the addition of rookie [[Kyle Schwarber]] who was added in mid-June. On August 30, [[Jake Arrieta]] threw a no hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers.<ref>{{cite news |title = Cubs' Jake Arrieta throws no-hitter vs. Dodgers |url = http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/920216/cubs-jake-arrieta-throws-hitter-vs-dodgers |work = Chicago Sun-Times |access-date = August 31, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150902155409/http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/920216/cubs-jake-arrieta-throws-hitter-vs-dodgers |archive-date = September 2, 2015 |url-status = dead }}</ref> The Cubs finished the 2015 season in third place in the NL Central, with a record of 97–65, the third best record in the majors and earned a wild card berth. On October 7, in the [[2015 National League Wild Card Game]], Arrieta pitched a complete game shutout and the Cubs defeated the [[2015 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh Pirates]] 4–0.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 National League Wild Card (NLWC) Game 1, Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates: October 7, 2015 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT201510070.shtml |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

The Cubs defeated the Cardinals in the [[2015 National League Division Series|NLDS]] three-games-to-one, qualifying for a return to the [[National League Division Series|NLCS]] for the first time in 12 years, where they faced the [[2015 New York Mets season|New York Mets]]. This was the first time in franchise history that the Cubs had clinched a playoff series at Wrigley Field.<ref>{{cite news |last = Seligman |first = Andrew |url = https://sports.yahoo.com/news/cubs-win-nl-division-series-beat-cardinals-6-235719368--mlb.html |title = Cubs win NL Division Series, beat Cardinals 6–4 in Game 4 |work = Yahoo! Sports |date = October 14, 2015 |access-date = October 14, 2015 |archive-date = October 15, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151015054721/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/cubs-win-nl-division-series-beat-cardinals-6-235719368--mlb.html |url-status = dead }}</ref> However, they were swept in four games by the Mets and were unable to make it to their first World Series since [[1945 World Series|1945]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2015_10_21_nynmlb_chnmlb_1#game=2015_10_21_nynmlb_chnmlb_1,game_state=Wrapup |title = Met-Amorphosis complete early: NY wins NL |date = October 21, 2015 |work = MLB.com |access-date = October 21, 2015 }}</ref> After the season, Arrieta won the [[Cy Young Award#National League (1967–present)|National League Cy Young Award]], becoming the first Cubs pitcher to win the award since [[Greg Maddux]] in 1992.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Woo |first1=Jeremy |title=Dallas Keuchel, Jake Arrieta named AL, NL Cy Young Award winners |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2015/11/18/dallas-keuchel-jake-arrieta-cy-young-award-winners |newspaper=Sports Illustrated |publisher=Sports Illustratedsi.com |access-date=November 19, 2015}}</ref>
[[File:The Cubs celebrate after winning the 2016 World Series. (30709972906).jpg|thumb|right|The Cubs celebrate after winning the [[2016 World Series]].]]
Before the [[2016 MLB season|2016 season]], in an effort to shore up their lineup, free agents [[Ben Zobrist]], [[Jason Heyward]] and [[John Lackey]] were signed.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kruth|first1=Cash|title=J-Hey officially joins Cubs' young core|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/159721548/cubs-sign-jason-heyward-to-contract/|work=MLB.com|access-date=November 7, 2016|archive-date=November 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108133255/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/159721548/cubs-sign-jason-heyward-to-contract/|url-status=dead}}</ref> To make room for the Zobrist signing, [[Starlin Castro]] was traded to the Yankees for [[Adam Warren (baseball)|Adam Warren]] and [[Brendan Ryan (baseball)|Brendan Ryan]], the latter of whom was released a week later. Also during the middle of the season, the Cubs traded their top prospect [[Gleyber Torres]] for [[Aroldis Chapman]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hoch|first1=Bryan|title=Yankees solidify second base with Cubs' Castro|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-trade-for-cubs-starlin-castro/c-159171944|work=MLB.com|access-date=November 7, 2016|archive-date=November 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108133253/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/159171944/yankees-trade-for-cubs-starlin-castro/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:The 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs.webm|thumb|left|2016 Champions visit the Obama White House in January 2017.]]
[[File:Chicago Cubs with President Trump.jpg|thumb|left|2016 Champions visit the Trump White House in June 2017.]]
In a season that included another no-hitter on April 21 by Jake Arrieta as well as an [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|MVP award]] for Kris Bryant,<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=360421117 |title = Arrieta claims second no-no in 16–0 rout of Reds |website = ESPN.com |access-date = April 22, 2016 }}</ref> the Cubs finished with the best record in Major League Baseball and won their first [[National League Central]] title since the [[2008 Chicago Cubs season|2008 season]], winning by 17.5 games. The team also reached the 100-win mark for the first time since [[1935 Chicago Cubs season|1935]] and won 103 total games, the most wins for the franchise since [[1910 Chicago Cubs season|1910]]. The Cubs defeated the [[2016 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] in the [[2016 National League Division Series|National League Division Series]] and returned to the [[2016 National League Championship Series|National League Championship Series]] for the second year in a row, where they defeated the [[2016 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]] in six games. This was their first NLCS win since the series was created in 1969. The win earned the Cubs their first World Series appearance since [[1945 World Series|1945]] and a chance for their first World Series win since [[1908 World Series|1908]]. Coming back from a three-games-to-one deficit, the Cubs defeated the [[2016 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] in seven games in the [[2016 World Series]], They were the first team to come back from a three-games-to-one deficit since the [[1985 Kansas City Royals season|Kansas City Royals]] in [[1985 World Series|1985]]. On November 4, the city of Chicago held a victory parade and rally for the Cubs that began at Wrigley Field, headed down Lake Shore Drive, and ended in [[Grant Park (Chicago)|Grant Park]]. The city estimated that over five million people attended the parade and rally, which made it one of the [[List of largest peaceful gatherings in history|largest recorded gatherings in history]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Flosi |first1=Nic |title=Cubs World Series celebration ranks as 7th largest gathering in human history |url=http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/215601786-story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105005210/http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/215601786-story |archive-date=November 5, 2016 |access-date=November 6, 2016 |website=Fox 32 Chicago}}</ref>

In an attempt to be the first team to repeat as World Series champions since the Yankees in [[1998 New York Yankees season|1998]], [[1999 New York Yankees season|1999]], and [[2000 New York Yankees season|2000]], the Cubs struggled for most of the first half of the [[2017 Chicago Cubs season|2017 season]], never moving more than four games over .500 and finishing the first half two games under .500. On July 15, the Cubs fell to a season-high 5.5 games out of first in the NL Central. The Cubs struggled mainly due to their pitching as Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester struggled and no starting pitcher managed to win more than 14 games (four pitchers won 15 games or more for the Cubs in 2016). The Cubs offense also struggled as Kyle Schwarber batted near .200 for most of the first half and was even sent to the minors. However, the Cubs recovered in the second half of the season to finish 22 games over .500 and win the NL Central by six games over the [[2017 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]]. The Cubs pulled out a five-game [[2017 National League Division Series|NLDS]] series win over the [[2017 Washington Nationals season|Washington Nationals]] to advance to the NLCS for the third consecutive year. For the second consecutive year, they faced the [[2017 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]]. This time, however, the Dodgers defeated the Cubs in five games.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/46210/chicago-cubs-quest-to-repeat-as-champions-finally-runs-out-of-gas|title=Cubs' quest to repeat as champs finally runs out of gas|work=ESPN|access-date=January 17, 2018}}</ref> In May 2017, the Cubs and the Rickets family formed [[Wrigley Rooftops#Marquee Sports & Entertainment|Marquee Sports & Entertainment]] as a central sales and marketing company for the various Rickets family sports and entertainment assets: the Cubs, [[Wrigley Rooftops]] and [[Wrigley Rooftops#Hickory Street Capital|Hickory Street Capital]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fisher |first1=Eric |title=Ricketts to open new sales and marketing firm |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2017/05/29/Franchises/Marquee.aspx |access-date=February 14, 2019 |work=Sports Business Daily |date=May 29, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

Prior to the [[2018 Chicago Cubs season|2018 season]], the Cubs made several key free agent signings to bolster their pitching staff. The team signed starting pitcher [[Yu Darvish]] to a six-year, $126&nbsp;million contract and veteran closer [[Brandon Morrow]] to two-year, $21-million contract,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaikin |first=Bill |last2=McCullough |first2=Andy |date=February 10, 2018 |title=Yu Darvish agrees to sign with Chicago Cubs |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/mlb/la-sp-darvish-cubs-dodgers-20180210-story.html |access-date=February 12, 2018 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/12/cubs-nearing-deal-with-brandon-morrow.html|title=Cubs Sign Brandon Morrow|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=December 12, 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=January 17, 2018}}</ref> in addition to [[Tyler Chatwood]] and [[Steve Cishek]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/cubs-sign-tyler-chatwood-to-three-year-deal/c-263069166|title=Cubs sign Tyler Chatwood to three-year deal|website=MLB.com|language=en|access-date=January 17, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/12/cubs-to-sign-steve-cishek.html|title=Cubs Sign Steve Cishek|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=December 16, 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=January 17, 2018}}</ref> However, the Cubs struggled to stay healthy throughout the season. Anthony Rizzo missed much of April due to a back injury,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/04/07/brewers-beat-cubs-5-4-2/|title=Brewers Beat Cubs 5–4|date=April 7, 2018|access-date=April 9, 2018|language=en}}</ref> and Bryant missed almost a month due to shoulder injury.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-cubs-kris-bryant-injury-cincinnati-reds-486390621.html|title=Kris Bryant to Miss 2nd Straight Game|work=NBC Chicago|access-date=June 25, 2018|language=en}}</ref> However, Darvish, who only started eight games in 2018, was lost for the season due to elbow and triceps injuries.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Muskat |first1=Carrie |title=Darvish done for '18 with elbow, triceps injuries |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yu-darvish-injured-season-over/c-291288462 |website=MLB.com |access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref> Morrow also faced two injuries before the team ruled him out for the season in September.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24142297/brandon-morrow-chicago-cubs-returns-disabled-list|title=Cubs put Morrow on DL, get Chavez from Texas|work=ESPN|access-date=July 20, 2018}}</ref> The team maintained first place in their division for much of the season. The injury-depleted team only went 16–11 during September, which allowed the [[Milwaukee Brewers]], to finish with the same record. The Brewers defeated the Cubs in a tie-breaker game to win the Central Division and secure the top-seed in the National League.<ref>USA Today, [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2018/10/01/brewers-celebrate-wrigley-field-after-beating-cubs-nl-central-title/1491545002/ 'We just took it': Brewers celebrate at Wrigley after beating Cubs for division title], Retrieved October 7, 2018.</ref> The Cubs subsequently lost to the [[Colorado Rockies]] in the [[2018 National League Wild Card Game]] for their earliest playoff exit in three seasons.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-rockies-wild-card-20181002-story.html |title=Cubs' season ends with 2–1, 13-inning loss to Rockies in NL wild-card game |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=September 26, 2018 |access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref>

The Cubs' roster remained largely intact going into the [[2019 Chicago Cubs season|2019 season]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Snyder |first=Matt |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/chicago-cubs-2019-season-preview-joe-maddons-team-faces-a-pivotal-year-in-wrigleyville/ |title=Chicago Cubs 2019 season preview: Joe Maddon's team faces a pivotal year in Wrigleyville |work=CBS Sports |date=March 19, 2019 |access-date=September 29, 2019 }}</ref> The team led the Central Division by a half-game over the Brewers at the All-Star Break.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kamka |first=Chris |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/cubs-numbers-all-star-break |title=Cubs by the numbers at the All-Star break |work=[[NBC Sports]] |date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=September 29, 2019 }}</ref> However, the team's control over the division once again dissipated going into final months of the season.<ref name="wrong">{{cite news |last=Rogers |first=Jesse |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27704131/with-cubs-eliminated-officially-figure-went-wrong |title=With Cubs eliminated, it's officially time to figure out what went wrong |work=ESPN |date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=September 28, 2019 }}</ref> The Cubs lost several key players to injuries, including Javier Báez, Anthony Rizzo, and Kris Bryant during this stretch.<ref name="wrong" /> The team's postseason chances were compromised after suffering a nine-game losing streak in late September.<ref name="wrong" /> The Cubs were eliminated from playoff contention on September 25, marking the first time the team had failed to qualify for the playoffs since 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/cubs-playoff-update-elimination-possible-wednesday-night-561368431.html |title=Cubs Eliminated From Playoff Contention After Brewers Win |work=NBC Chicago |date=September 25, 2019 |access-date=September 29, 2019 }}</ref> The Cubs announced they would not renew manager Joe Maddon's contract at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rogers |first=Jesse |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27722498/cubs-maddon-parting-ways-5-big-seasons |title=Cubs, Maddon parting ways after 5 big seasons |work=ESPN |date=September 29, 2019 |access-date=September 29, 2019 }}</ref>

====2020–present: Post-Maddon years====
On October 24, 2019, the Cubs hired David Ross as their new manager.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2019/10/24/chicago-cubs-hire-david-ross-to-replace-maddon-as-manager/40409549/|title=Chicago Cubs hire David Ross to replace Maddon as manager|website=USA Today|language=en-US|access-date=February 6, 2020}}</ref> Ross led the Cubs to a 34–26 record during the [[2020 Chicago Cubs season|2020 season]], which was shortened due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Starting pitcher Yu Darvish rebounded with an 8–3 record and 2.01 ERA, while also finishing as the runner-up for the NL [[Cy Young Award]].<ref name="dar-trade"/> The Cubs as a whole also won the first ever "team" [[Gold Glove Award]] and finished first in the NL Central, but were swept by the [[Miami Marlins]] in the [[2020 National League Wild Card Series|Wild Card round]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/chicago-baseball/cubs-eliminated-from-playoffs-after-loss-to-marlins-in-game-2-of-wild-card-series/2348449/ |title=Cubs Eliminated From Playoffs After Loss to Marlins in Game 2 of Wild Card Series |work=NBC Chicago |date=October 2, 2020 |access-date=January 2, 2021 }}</ref>

Following the 2020 season, the Cubs' president, Theo Epstein, resigned from his position on November 17, 2020.<ref name="theo-gone">{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30336168/chicago-cubs-championship-architect-theo-epstein-steps-down |title=Chicago Cubs championship architect Theo Epstein steps down |work=ESPN |date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=January 2, 2021 }}</ref> He was succeeded [[Jed Hoyer]], who previously served as the team's general manager since 2011.<ref name="theo-gone"/> However, it was announced that Hoyer would also remain as general manager until the team could conduct a proper search for a replacement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levine |first=Bruce |date=December 30, 2020 |title=Jed Hoyer, Cubs will enter 2021 season without a new general manager |url=https://www.audacy.com/670thescore/sports/chicago-cubs/jed-hoyer-cubs-will-enter-2021-season-without-new-general-manager |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019040051/https://www.audacy.com/670thescore/sports/chicago-cubs/jed-hoyer-cubs-will-enter-2021-season-without-new-general-manager |archive-date=2021-10-19 |access-date=January 12, 2021 |website= |publisher=670 The Score}}</ref> Prior to the [[2021 Chicago Cubs season|2021 season]], the Cubs announced they would not re-sign Jon Lester, Kyle Schwarber, or [[Albert Almora]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 2, 2020|title=Report: Cubs Will Non-Tender Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr.|url=https://www.cubsinsider.com/2020/12/02/report-cubs-will-non-tender-kyle-schwarber-albert-almora-jr/|access-date=December 3, 2020|website=Cubs Insider|language=en-US}}</ref> In addition, the team then traded Darvish and [[Victor Caratini]] to the [[San Diego Padres]] in exchange for prospects.<ref name="dar-trade">{{cite news |last=Cassavell |first=AJ |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yu-darvish-discusses-trade-to-padres |title=Darvish 'shocked' by trade to Padres |work=MLB |date=December 31, 2020 |access-date=January 2, 2021 }}</ref> After suffering an 11-game losing streak in late June and early July 2021 that put the Cubs out of the pennant race, they traded [[Javier Báez]], [[Kris Bryant]], and [[Anthony Rizzo]] and other pieces at the trade deadline. These trades allowed journeymen such as [[Rafael Ortega (baseball)|Rafael Ortega]] and [[Patrick Wisdom]] to craft larger roles on the team, the latter of whom set a Cubs rookie record for home runs at 28. By the end of the season, the only remaining players from the World Series team were [[Willson Contreras]], [[Jason Heyward]], and [[Kyle Hendricks]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Montemurro|first=Meghan|title=After the Chicago Cubs trade one-third of their opening-day roster, the offseason will be a true indicator of their retooling status. 'We have raised the expectations of what people want in this city,' Jed Hoyer says.|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-chicago-cubs-deadline-hoyer-20210731-ad6tozjrqnf5xoxryxbfj3yski-story.html|access-date=July 31, 2021|website=Chicago Tribune|date=July 31, 2021 }}</ref>

On October 15, 2021, the Cubs hired [[Cleveland Indians|Cleveland]] assistant general manager [[Carter Hawkins]] as the new general manager.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 15, 2021|title=Cubs hire Cleveland's Hawkins to serve as GM|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32406078/chicago-cubs-hire-carter-hawkins-general-manager|access-date=October 15, 2021|website=ESPN|language=en}}</ref> Following his hiring, the Cubs signed [[Marcus Stroman]] to a 3-year $71 million deal and previous World Series foe [[Yan Gomes]] to a 2-year $13 million deal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catch up on where Cubs stand ahead of 2022 |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-2022-offseason-reset |access-date=May 16, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> In another rebuilding year, the Cubs finished the 2022 season 74–88, finishing third in the division and 19 games out of first. In the ensuing off-season, Jason Heyward was released and Willson Contreras left in free agency, leaving Kyle Hendricks as the only remaining player from their 2016 championship team.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2022 |title=Cubs officially release Jason Heyward |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/cubs-officially-release-jason-heyward |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508091627/https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/cubs-officially-release-jason-heyward |archive-date=2023-05-08 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=NBC Sports Chicago}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cardinals sign All-Star catcher Willson Contreras; three-time All-Star inks five-year deal with club option for 2028 |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-willson-contreras-signs-five-year-contract-with-cardinals |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, fan-favorite Rafael Ortega was non-tendered, signaling a new chapter for the Cubs after two straight years of mediocrity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Breaking down the Cubs' non-tender decisions |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-2022-non-tender-deadline-decisions |access-date=June 2, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>

In an attempt to bolster the team for 2023, the Cubs made big moves in free agency, signing all-star, reigning [[Gold Glove Award|gold glove]] shortstop [[Dansby Swanson]] to a 7-year, $177 million contract as well as former MVP [[Cody Bellinger]] to a 1-year, $17.5 million deal. In addition, the ballclub added veterans such as [[Jameson Taillon]], [[Trey Mancini]], [[Mike Tauchman]] and [[Tucker Barnhart]] as well as trading for utility-man [[Miles Mastrobuoni]]. The team also extended key contributors from the previous season including [[Ian Happ]], [[Nico Hoerner]], and [[Drew Smyly]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 22, 2023 |title=Chicago Cubs' 2023 offseason reviewed |url=https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/chicago_cubs_2023_offseason_reviewed/s1_13237_38610746 |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Yardbarker |language=en}}</ref> Despite these moves, the Cubs entered the 2023 season with low expectations. Projection systems such as [[PECOTA]] projected them to finish under .500 for the third year in a row.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pledger |first=Aaron |date=March 8, 2023 |title=2023 MLB Season Preview: Chicago Cubs |url=https://www.batterypower.com/2023/3/8/23619592/2023-mlb-season-preview-chicago-cubs-dansby-swanson |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=Battery Power |publisher=[[SB Nation]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shapiro |first=Aaron |date=February 14, 2023 |title=PECOTA projects another bad season for Cubs |url=https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/pecota-projects-another-bad-season-for-cubs/345142/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802145340/https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/pecota-projects-another-bad-season-for-cubs/345142/ |archive-date=2023-08-02 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=NBC Sports Chicago}}</ref> In May 2023, multiple top prospects were called up, namely [[Miguel Amaya (baseball)|Miguel Amaya]], [[Matt Mervis]], and [[Christopher Morel]]; although Mervis was eventually sent back down.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2023 |title='Hasn't been easy': Cubs call up catcher Miguel Amaya, who has endured injury 'roller coaster' |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2023/5/2/23708976/hasnt-been-easy-cubs-miguel-amaya-called-up-injury-roller-coaster-yan-gomes-ryan-borucki |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cubs powering up: Mervis gets call to boost offense |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-calling-up-prospect-matt-mervis |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='I made it': Morel, after tearing up Triple-A, joining Cubs |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/christopher-morel-recalled-to-cubs-on-may-8-2023 |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> After falling as far as 10 games below .500, the Cubs were propelled by an 8-game win streak versus the [[Chicago White Sox|White Sox]] and [[St. Louis Cardinals|Cardinals]] in late July, prompting the front office to become "buyers" at the August 1 [[trade deadline]]. Thus, the team acquired former-Cub [[Jeimer Candelario]] from the [[Washington Nationals|Nationals]] and reliever [[José Cuas]] from the [[Kansas City Royals|Royals]], firmly cementing their intent to compete and contend for [[2023 Major League Baseball postseason|postseason baseball]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=8th straight win gives Cubs buying potential |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-stretch-win-streak-to-8-games-with-win-over-cardinals |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cubs show fight with Deadline reinforcements on the way |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-comeback-falls-short-in-loss-to-reds |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> The team would set a run-scoring mark of 36 runs in back-to-back games, a mark not achieved since 1897 when the club was called the Colts.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 3, 2023 |title=Cubs score 36 runs in 2 games for best stretch since 1897 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38126154/cubs-break-126-year-old-mark-2-game-output-vs-reds |access-date=November 30, 2023 |work=ESPN}}</ref> The Cubs were poised to earn a wild-card berth entering September 2023.<ref name="ap-2023">{{cite news |date=October 1, 2023 |title=Adrian Houser, Brewers blank Cubs to enter playoffs on a roll |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/adrian-houser-brewers-blank-cubs-enter-playoffs-roll-2023-10-01/ |accessdate=October 1, 2023 |work=Reuters |publisher=Field Level Media}}</ref> However, the team lost 15 of their last 22 games and were eliminated from the playoffs after their penultimate game of the season.<ref name="ap-2023"/> The Cubs finished the season with an 83–79 record.<ref name="ESPN-2023">{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com.au/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401473434 |title=Taylor homers, Houser pitches NL Central champion Brewers past Cubs 4-0 in final playoff tune-up |work=ESPN |date=October 1, 2023 |accessdate=October 1, 2023 }}</ref>

On November 6, the Cubs fired Ross and hired [[Craig Counsell]] as their new manager.<ref name="espn-11-2023">{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38833334/sources-craig-counsell-bolts-brewers-manage-cubs |title=Cubs fire David Ross, hire Craig Counsell as new manager |work=ESPN |date=November 6, 2023 |accessdate=November 6, 2023 }}</ref>