MLB Lockout: Looking back at the 1994 Chicago Cubs

August 12, 1994. MLB players went on strike, leading to a long-lasting battle between the union and the owners. For the first time in the modern era, there was no World Series played. The game returned in 1995, but the damage was done. Today, Chicago Cubs fans are feeling a similar sting with the lockout that began this past week. This lockout is the first work stoppage in MLB since 1994.

Hopefully, this does not last long enough to cancel some or all of the 2022 MLB season. What made 1994 really hurt was the fact that the season was over 100 games in when the season stopped and it never resumed. Montreal Expos and Chicago White Sox fans were especially disappointed as they looked like the pennant favorites in each league. For the Cubs, it was incredibly sad, but there was no potential championship taken away.

The 1994 Cubs ended with a 49-64 record, 15 games below .500. For the first time in history, the 1994 season featured three divisions with the Cubs in the NL Central. Chicago finished dead last, 16.5 games back of the division-best Reds. They were managed by Tom Trebelhorn under GM Larry Himes. Himes would be fired in October.

Here is a breakdown of the roster and notable moments of that season before the strike.