Editing Chicago Cubs (section)

====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>