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

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.