Chicago Cubs: Ranking the team’s top first baseman since 1900

Chicago Cubs: Two of the guys in this section are famously known for big postseason blunders, which is too bad because they were outstanding players.

10. Ray Grimes (1921-1924)

Probably the least-known guy on this list, Ray Grimes had several terrific seasons back in the early 20s. He only played over 100 games several times (1921-1922), but he made the most of his time. In those two years, he slashed a combined .337/.424/.509, with 305 hits in 285 games.

9. Leon Durham (1981-1988)

The first baseman of the 1980s, Durham’s career is often remembered for his error in the 1984 NLCS. However, he deserves recognition because he was a terrific ballplayer. He played in 921 games as a Cub and slashed .279/.362/.484 with 138 home runs and averaged a 124 wRC+ from 1981-1987. He was a two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner in 1982.

8. Bill Buckner (1977-1984)

Before becoming a playoff goat in the 1986 World Series for the Boston Red Sox, Bill Buckner had a nice run as a Dodger and Cub. Buckner was very well-liked among the Cubs fans in his seven and a half years in Chicago. He hit .300/.332/.439 as a Cub with 81 homers and recorded 1,136 hits, which puts him 29th on the all-time franchise hit list. He made the 1981 NL All-Star team and was twice in the top-10 in NL MVP voting.

7. Charlie Grimm (1925-1936)

This man anchored the first base position for the Cubs for over a decade. He played on the pennant-winning teams of 1929, 1932 and 1935. Though, he only played in two games in 1935 and not in the postseason. He was playing first at Wrigley Field when Babe Ruth hit his supposed “Called Shot” in game 3 of the 1932 World Series.

Outside of all the teams he was on, he was an excellent ballplayer, hitting .296/.349/.405 in 1,334 games as a Cub. Grimm, in 1932 became a player/manager for the Cubs and eventually managed them for 14 seasons, including the 1945 pennant-winning team.

Chicago Cubs: Fans who have followed the team the past 30 years will recognize several of these names

6.) Phil Cavarretta (1934-1953)

He may not have had much power, but Phil Cavarretta was a dang good hitter. In 20 years as a Cub, the lefty-hitting Cavarretta slashed .292/.371/.416 with 341 doubles and 99 triples. His 1,953 games are sixth on the all-time Cubs list, and 1,927 hits sit at 10th among all Cubs.

Pretty crazy, he made his debut at 17 years old. It is worth noting he did not always play first, he played in the outfield as well. Cavarretta’s biggest single accomplishment came in 1945 when he was the NL MVP, posting a 6.3 fWAR as well as winning the batting title with a .355 average.

5. Derrek Lee (2004-2010)

One of the most popular Cubs of the 2000s, Derrek Lee spent the prime years of his career in Chicago. As a Cub, he slugged 179 homers in 924 games while posting a .298/.378/.524 slash and .903 OPS. Lee was an All-Star in 2005 and 2007 while winning the Gold Glove both those years as well.

Cubs fans will not forget his 2005 season, which he put up a 7.0 fWAR with 46 homers, a .335/.418/.662 slash and an NL-leading 199 hits. He, unfortunately, he finished third in MVP voting that year. Regardless, Lee will always be remembered for what he did for the Cubs in his time with them.

4.) Mark Grace (1988-2000)

Before Sammy Sosa began hitting 60+ home runs, Mark Grace was the face of the franchise for several years. Grace was the model of consistency at the plate as he put up a .308/.383/.442 slash in 1,910 games a Cub. His 2,201 hits in Cubbie Blue is fifth on the all-time franchise list while occupying the ninth slot on the games-played list. In addition to his bat, he was slick on defense, winning four Gold Gloves. The coolest factoid about Mark Grace? No player had more hits in all of baseball in the 1990s than him.

Chicago Cubs: It is time to dip into baseball immortality.

3.) Anthony Rizzo (2012-present)

Hard not to put the leader of the team that won it all in 2016 on the top of this list. Anthony Rizzo is only 30 and already has 1,186 hits as a Cub with 217 homers and .277/.376/.496 slash in 1,158 games on the North Side. Not to mention his Gold Gloves, Platinum Glove and Silver Slugger award to go along with his shiny World Series ring. He has been a modern model of consistency and does not look to be slowing down. A 29.8 fWAR as a Cub is nothing to gawk at that’s for sure. He is one of the essential Cubs to put on a uniform in our lifetime, and we are fortunate we get to watch him.

2.) Frank Chance (1898-1912)

Hall of Famer Frank Chance is the only Cubs first baseman to win multiple World Series (1907,1908). Part of the famous “Tinkers-Evers-Chance” trio, Chance is 21st on the all-time Cubs hit list and hit .297/.394/.395 in 1,275 games as a Cub. Chance was a threat on the bases as he stole 403 bags in his career while leading all of baseball in that category twice. He only hit 20 home runs in his career, but back then, home runs were a rare feat. Chance is also the only Cubs manager to win multiple World Series as he was player/manager from 1905-1912.

And the number one first baseman…*drum roll*

1. Ernie Banks (1953-1971)

Well, of course, Mr. Cub is number one. Yeah, we know he did not play first until the 60s when he was having leg problems, but he still played more games at first than any other position (1,259) in his 19-year career. He began playing first in 1961 and primarily stayed there until his final year in 1971.

He slugged 243 of his final 512 home runs in those last ten years, recorded 1,370 hits, and made five All-Star teams despite leg problems, which hindered the second half of his career. Whether we are talking about his shortstop days or first base days, Mr. Cub belongs at the very top of most Cubs-related lists.

That’s our list, what is yours?