Chicago Cubs: Breaking down the best and worst decades since 1900

Chicago Cubs: The top five greatest decades in Cubs history

The 1980s

The overall record may not be great (735-821-5) but the 1984 and 1989 teams winning the division, Harry Caray, and Andre Dawson‘s MVP season in 1987 put the Cubs back on the map. WGN across the country heard Harry yell “Holy Cow!” as Dawson and Sandberg slugged home runs and made diving plays. 1984 was heartbreaking but it was their first legit chance at a title since 1945.

The 1910s

This era saw the Cubs win two pennants and rack up a record of 816-668-20. They moved to Wrigley Field (then called Weeghman Park) in 1916 and established their forever home at the corner of Clark and Addison.

The 1930s

This was the best decade in Cubs history in which they never won a World Series. They totaled three pennants and a 889-646-9 record, which is the highest win-total of any decade. Teams of this era boasted the likes of Hall of Famers Billy Herman and Gabby Hartnett. It was the era which saw the scoreboard and ivy-covered walls were built (1937), seeing the famous features of Wrigley take shape.

Probably the biggest moment of the 30s for the Cubs was Hartnett’s “Homer in the Gloamin‘ in September of 1938.

The 2010s

2016 World Series champs, four straight postseason berths, three straight NLCS appearances and a 733-725-1 record. What more needs to be said?

The 1900s

The first Cubs decade of the modern era was the best. Back-to-back World Series victories in 1907 and 1908. Three total pennants from 1906-1908 and a record of 879-592-29 on top of that. Hall of Famers Johnny Evers, Frank Chance, Joe Tinker and Mordecai Brown dominated many years in Chicago. It is also when they got their name “Cubs” in 1902. Hard to argue all of this success.