Editing Chicago Cubs (section)

===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>