Chicago Cubs: 10 greatest all-time teams in franchise history

10 greatest all-time teams in Chicago Cubs history – #6. 1935 (100-54)

Six years before the United States entered World War II, the Chicago Cubs did a little bit of everything in an unforgettable 1935 campaign. For starters, winning 100 games was an incredible feat as this was still years before the league implemented an extra eight games a year for a now regularly known 162-game season.

As usual, which is a common theme among winning teams, the Cubs had a dominant starting rotation. Bill Lee pitched to the tune of a 20-6 record with a 2.96 ERA. Larry French also hurled a 2.96 ERA but with a 17-10 record while Lou Warneke also saw a 20-win season, posting a 20-13 with a 3.06 ERA.

More importantly, 1955 Hall of Fame inductee, Gabby Hartnett, became the first catcher in the National League to win MVP, and, to this day, remains the first and only time a Chicago Cubs catcher won the honors in franchise history. Hartnett posted a .344/.404/.545 with 13 HR and 91 rbi, earning his third of six All-Star nods during the 1935 campaign.

More famous than even Hartnett’s accomplishments, The 1935 Cubs are remembered for a 21-game winning streak, spanning from September 4 until September 28. This streak tied their own major league record dating back to1880 when the Cubs were still known as the Chicago White Stockings. They eventually fell short in the World Series, though, losing to the Detroit Tigers four games to two.