The Last Chicago Cubs Dynasty

The last time the Chicago Cubs played in the World Series, World War II had just ended. The last time they won a World Series, World War I had not yet begun. But from 1906-1910 the Cubs not only played in the World Series four of the five years, they won two World Championships, as well. It was a time when the Cubs ruled baseball, and no one could have imagined the roller coaster adventures that were ahead for this grand old franchise. In The Last Chicago Cubs Dynasty: Before the Curse, Hal Bock tells the story of this legendary team, the characters who were central to its success, and the misfortunes which have plagued the team ever since. Stars such as pitcher Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown and the double-play combination of Tinker to Evers to Chance are profiled, as are opponents who caused the Cubs unending headaches, like superstar pitcher Christy Mathewson and immortal shortstop Honus Wagner. A chronology and cast of characters set the stage for the reader before Bock delves into the early history of the Cubs and the assembly of what would become a dynasty. With talent to spare and just a little bit of luck going their way, the Chicago Cubs were unstoppable. But when an angry fan issued a curse on the team during the 1945 World Series, some believe it marked the beginning of the end for this storied franchise. Featuring 100-year-old images from historic baseball cards, profiles of Hall of Fame legends, and a foreword by Cubs supporter and TV star Joe Mantegna, The Last Chicago Cubs Dynasty will appeal to all baseball fans, but especially to those always-passionate Cubs enthusiasts from around the nation.

Let's Go Cubs! is the ultimate celebration of the talented players who make up the Chicago Cubs' once-in-a-generation roster. Featuring dozens of full-color photographs, this book gives fans a glimpse into the best and brightest Cubs of the present and future -- Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber and more. It will also feature an in-depth look at the veterans leading this fun-loving bunch, including Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, Ben Zobrist, Dexter Fowler and the genius baseball minds behind it all -- Joe Maddon and Theo Epstein. Also included are the key moments in building this Cubs team -- from the off-season signings of Zobrist and Jason Heyward to the midseason trade for fireballer Aroldis Chapman. Featuring expert analysis from the reporters and columnists at the Daily Herald, this keepsake captures the meteoric rise of baseball's hottest young team.

With a New Afterword: THE INSIDE STORY OF WHAT WENT WRONG AFTER 2016! David Kaplan of CSN Chicago and ESPN Radio goes behind the scenes with the Cubs and their front office, walking the steps of their captivating rise to becoming 2016 World Series champions On October 12, 2011, Theo Epstein became the new Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations, flipping a switch on the lovable-loser franchise and initiating a plan to accomplish in Chicago what he'd succeeded in as general manager of the Boston Red Sox: ending a World Series drought. It would require a complete team tear-down and turnover, a new farm system foundation of young talent which Epstein and Cubs GM Jed Hoyer gradually added to with gutsy trades and timely signings. After years of rebuilding, Epstein's vision was realized in the form of one of the most exciting and talented teams in baseball, led by heavyweights like Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, as well as visionaries like manager Joe Maddon. Then the challenge became making the success last. Featuring exclusive interviews with Epstein, owner Tom Ricketts, and other team insiders, this is the definitive account of modern baseball on the North Side.

A Cubs dynasty founded on fastballs and fisticuffs. Unlike today's Chicago Cubs, the Cubs of 1906-1910 were not at all lovable, and certainly did not always display traits customarily linked with a winning team. Their manager would brawl with his own players, and the players brawled with each other. Their second baseman and shortstop hated each other and didn't speak for years. Their best pitcher pitched with a mutilated hand. Their star catcher got into a spat with management and left the team for a year to play professional billiards. Their manager over time grew to despise the team owner. Yet, this group of brawlers, bickerers, and battlers dominated the National League and established a baseball dynasty, winning four National League pennants and two world championships in 5 years. Author Gary D. Santella follows the story of a team whose toughness and tenacity was a fitting reflection of early twentieth-century Chicago.

Pairing historical black-and-white images with contemporary photographs, this book is a lavish celebration of the Chicago Cubs. It highlights the ballparks and fans, the players and teams, the broadcasters and behind-the-scenes figures who have defined Chicago baseball for more than a century.

So You Think You’re a Chicago Cubs Fan? tests and expands your knowledge of Cubs baseball. Rather than merely posing questions and providing answers, you’ll get details behind each—stories that bring to life players and coaches, games and seasons. This book is divided into multiple parts, with progressively more difficult questions in each new section. Along the way, you’ll learn more about Wrigley Field and the great Cub players and coaches of the past and present, from Billy Herman to Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Billy Williams, Dave Kingman, Andre Dawson, Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg, Dennis Eckersley, Greg Maddux, Kerry Wood, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Jake Arrieta, and so many more. Some of the many questions that this book answers include: What was the original name of Wrigley Field when it opened in 1914? On what date did the Cubs play their first Wrigley Field night game? Which Cubs stalwart said, “I didn’t practice singing. I didn’t want to get on key?” In 1992, who were the first four players elected by fans into the Cubs Walk of Fame? In what year did the Cubs become the first team to reach .500 ten times through twenty games? This book makes the perfect gift for any fan of the Cubbies!

The Cubs were at the end of the best five-season run of any team in history. The team featured Three Finger Brown, the famed double play combination of Tinker to Evers to Chance, and the other players who together won 530 games in the 1906-1910 seasons. They won four National League pennants and were the first team to win consecutive World Series, in 1907 and 1908. After winning 104 games in 1909 and finishing second in the League, the Cubs came back in 1910 to win the pennant again--they seemed unstoppable. Going into the World Series, the Cubs--favored to win--were at the end of a great run and the Philadelphia A's were at the start of one. This book tells the story of the changing of the guard in baseball in 1910, and how these two great teams assembled. The narrative takes in the history of early 20th century baseball, featuring men like Ben Shibe, Connie Mack, Eddie Collins, Frank Baker, Chief Bender, and many others.