Chicago Cubs: Ranking the top five managers in team history

Chicago Cubs: Joe McCarthy 1926-1930

Something about employing guys named Joe is an excellent method for the Cubs. In the case of Joe McCarthy, he remains as one of the top managers in team history. Before his storied career with the New York Yankees, McCarthy was in Chicago where he began his managerial career.

McCarthy managed a variety of teams in a variety of different professional leagues before taking the job offer from William Wrigley Jr in 1926. The year before was not great, and Wrigley needed a change.

A new-sprung interest in the Cubs blossomed under McCarthy. In his first season, the veteran manager led Chicago to a much-improved 82-72 season, an uptick from the 68 wins the year before. In 1928, McCarthy led the Cubs to a 91-win season and followed it up with a 98-win season and a pennant.

The nickname ‘Marse Joe’ developed during his time with the Cubs. Due to his managerial style and the success he helped the Cubs develop during this tenure on the North Side earned him the name.

The 1929 season was a success in many ways. Unfortunately, McCarthy lost all control in a World Series beatdown courtesy of Connie Mack and the Philadelphia Athletics, losing the series 4-1. Still, McCarthy drew the Cubs out of the muck and drove a new-fangled success story leaving him as one of the clubs’ all-time greats.