CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 18: A general view of the 'W' flag flying after the Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 in game four of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on October 18, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Chicago Cubs have fielded star studded lineups throughout their lengthy history, but have been unable to find success until recently. Which of those players make up their Mount Rushmore?
The Chicago Cubs had managed to build an identity out of their lack of success. Dubbed “Lovable Losers,” the Cubs went 108 years without winning a World Series. Four generations of fans had come and gone, watching the Cubs somehow find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. If any franchise in baseball was cursed, it may well have been the Cubs.
It was not always that way. The Cubs had been one of the top teams at the very beginning of the National League, winning the first pennant in 1876. In the first 11 years in league history, the Cubs won six NL titles, establishing themselves as the class of the league. That success returned in the early part of the 20th century, when they went to four World Series from 1906 through 1910, winning the championship twice.
These days, the Cubs have become a success once more. The days of Kerry Wood, Steve Bartman, black cats, and billy goats have passed. In one of the more dramatic games in postseason history, the Cubs managed to end their run of futility, finally taking that coveted World Series title in 2016. With three consecutive postseason appearances, a new age of Cubs baseball has been born.
Even when the Cubs struggled, they managed to have a few stars on their roster. The beloved Cubbies, those Lovable Losers, certainly knew greatness when they saw it. Which of those players made enough of an impact to be a part of the team’s Mount Rushmore?
Few players were identified with their team as much as Ernie Banks was linked with the Chicago Cubs. Even his nickname, Mr. Cub, tied in with his team.
Banks quickly became a fan favorite. Known for his cheerful personality and love of the game, he blossomed into a star. A 14 time All Star, Banks was the first back to back MVP in National League history, earning the honors in 1958 and 1959. He had impressive power, an unheard of concept for shortstops, hitting over 40 homers five times.
It is easy to see why he was named as the starting shortstop on the All Century Team for the 20th century. During his career, spent entirely with the Cubs, Banks produced a solid .274/.330/.500 batting. A stellar power hitter, he had 512 homers and 407 doubles, holding a record for homers in a season by a shortstop until the Steroid Era skewed the numbers.
He was an important part of Cubs history for more than his play. Banks was the first black player in team history, although his signing was made, in part, to give Gene Baker some company. He was also the first player in Cubs history to have his number retired, his number 14 immortalized in his name in 1982.
Ernie Banks never wavered in his faith with the Chicago Cubs. Unfortunately, his rosy predictions did not come to pass during his lifetime.
Acquired along with Larry Bowa from the Philadelphia Phillies for Ivan DeJesus, Ryne Sandberg was part of the greatest trade in Chicago Cubs history.
It took a little time before Sandberg became a star. However, he exploded on the scene in 1984, just as the Cubs went on a run into the postseason. That year, he led the league in runs and triples, and was named to his first All Star Game. He ended up capturing the NL MVP award, and his first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards as well.
Sandberg was a ten time All Star and seven time Silver Slugger. He was more than a great hitter, winning nine Gold Glove awards at second. Overall, he produced a solid .282/.344/.452 batting line, hitting 282 homers and stealing 344 bases. Defensively, he saved 57 runs at second, the 18th best mark in baseball history.
He likely missed his chance at joining the elite 300-300 club due to his retirement in 1995. His family life was falling apart, and he felt that maybe, by giving up the constant travel of being a ballplayer, he could save his marriage. After that proved unsuccessful, Sandberg came back for two more years. While he still had some pop, he was not the same player, leading to his second retirement after the 1997 campaign.
Ryne Sandberg became of the greatest players in Chicago Cubs history, and one of the top second baseman in the game. His acquisition may have been one of the best moves the Cubs ever made.
It took far too long for Ron Santo to get the recognition he deserved.
One of the best third basemen in the 1960s, Santo became one of the Chicago Cubs stars. He was a nine time All Star and five time Gold Glove winner, overcoming his early defensive shortcomings during his minor league career. Santo had a stellar batting eye, leading the National League in walks four times. In addition, he was a solid slugger, hitting over 20 homers in 11 of his 14 major league seasons.
A key part of the Cubs lineup, Santo’s numbers were better than they looked. He played in what was essentially the second Dead Ball Era, deflating offensive production around the game. Nonetheless, he produced a solid .279/.366/.472 batting line with the Cubs, good for a 128 OPS+. Santo also hit 337 homers and 353 doubles, showcasing that excellent pop.
Unfortunately, it took far too long for his greatness to be recognized. He was on the Hall of Fame ballot for 15 years, but never got more than 43.1% of the vote. After years of being considered the best player not inducted into the Hall, he was finally immortalized in 2012. However, he had passed away a year prior due to cancer, making his induction bittersweet.
One of the great players of the 1960s, Ron Santo deserved to get his due long before he did. At least he was finally immortalized in Cooperstown.
When he was named as the player/manager of the team in 1879, Anson changed the way the game was played. He began rotating between two starting pitchers to keep his arms fresh. With excellent baserunners like King Kelly on the roster, he invented the hit and run, and used his team’s ability on the basepaths to force the opposition into making mistakes.
Anson was a great player in his own right. The first player in MLB history to reach 3000 hits, he produced an excellent .331/.396/.448 batting line with the Cubs organization. He belted 529 doubles and 124 triples, driving in 1880 runs. His skill, and the abilityof his teams, helped popularize the game.
However, there is more to Anson’s legacy than his ability on the diamond. He was an avowed racist, and the driving force behind segregating the game. Due to his steadfast refusal to play against black players, Fleet Walker and Welday Walker were essentially banned after the 1884 season. His racist legacy lived on until 1947, when Jackie Robinson smashed the color barrier for good.
