Chicago Cubs: Ranking the top five managers in team history

Chicago Cubs: Frank Chance 1905-1912

Outside of Maddon, Frank Chance stands alone as the most exceptional manager in Cubs’ history. As one of the first managers for the team, Chance found unbelievable levels of success in his eight seasons at the helm.

After three-plus seasons in the role, Frank Selee was replaced by Chance during the 1905 season. The team finished 92-61 and Chance took the chance and ran with the opportunity. In his first season as sole leader, Chance led the Cubs to a 116-36 record. Like Grimm, Chance adopted the role as a player-manager as Chicago captured the pennant, losing in the World Series 4-2 to the Chicago White Sox.

Over the next two years as manager, Chance carried the team to 107 wins and 99 wins, respectively. It included back-to-back seasons culminating in world championships. In 1909 and 1910, the Cubs won 104 games as Chance racked up his career win total.

His final two seasons, Chance led the Cubs to 92 wins and 91 wins and was replaced by Johnny Evers at the beginning of the 1913 season. By the end of everything, Chance had finished a 768-389 career with four pennants and two world championships. In the old era of baseball, before our time, Chance is the greatest manager to lead the Cubs in their history.