Chicago Cubs History: Players who have worn the number 7

The Chicago Cubs made their biggest splash of the offseason by signing shortstop Dansby Swanson to a 7-year $177 million deal. Swanson was introduced to Chicago yesterday at a press conference where he dawned the Cubbie Blue pinstripes for the first time. The back revealed he will continue to wear the number 7 as he did with the Atlanta Braves. No word yet as to what Yan Gomes will do, as he wore 7 last season with the Cubs.

Swanson will be the 47th player in Cubs history to wear the number 7. The first to do it, of course, was Gabby Hartnett in 1932 - only for that single season. I can't imagine anyone being able to rattle off the rest of this list, but let's point out the noteworthy players.

Cubs: notable players to wear number 7

Up until 1980, only two players wore 7 for longer than 3 seasons - Frank Baumholtz (1951-1955) and Rick Monday (1972-1976). In 1981, a young catcher by the name of Jody Davis joined the big league ball club and chose the wear the number 7 for the Cubs until he was traded to the Braves in 1988. After him. another young catcher by the name of Joe Girardi took the jersey and wore it with the Cubs for 4 seasons.

Since Girardi, there has not been much consistency with the number being used. Kenny Lofton wore it in 2003. Ryan Theriot wore it in 2006. Mark DeRosa wore in 2007-2008. Most recently, Victor Caratini wore it after breaking into the majors with the Cubs in 2018 until he was traded after 2020.

Here's to hoping the number 7 will forever be linked to Swanson and his time in Chicago with the Cubs.