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

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?