MLB Lockout: Looking back at the 1994 Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs: The roster had some big names, but not enough to win in 1994

Popular names on the team included Sammy Sosa, Ryne Sandberg, Shawon Dunston and Mark Grace. Sandberg was winding down in his career and Sosa was beginning to make a name for himself at age 25. Grace was right in his prime at age 30.

Sosa hit 25 home runs and stole 22 bases. He had reached the 33-home mark in 1993 and had he played in a 162-game season he probably could have matched or passed it. The other double-digit home run hitters on the squad included Dunston (11), Glenallen Hill (10) and Steve Buechele (14). Sandberg really struggled with a .238/.312/.390 slash and only five home runs in 57 games. Overall the Cubs hit .259/.325/.404 as a team.

Other names to note included longtime starter Steve Trachsel, who was only 23 and reached 20+ starts in a season for the first time in his career. He had made his MLB debut in 1993 but only started three games. In 1994 Trachsel pitched to a 3.21 ERA and 1.3 WHIP in 22 starts. Three-time All-Star reliever and current MLB Network analyst Dan Plesac also pitched for the team but struggled with a 4.61 ERA. Overall the Cubs pitching staff posted a 4.47 ERA, 1.4 WHIP and 4.46 FIP.

Closer Randy Myers was the lone representative for the Cubs in the 1994 All-Star Game in Pittsburgh. He converted 21 of 26 saves and pitched to a 3.79 ERA and 1.4 WHIP.