Greatest Cubs Of All Time

Alright folks, gather 'round. I've got a tale to spin about the Cubs - not the furry critters, but the Chicago Cubs, baseball's most lovable losers turned World Series champs. Now, I'm no historian, but I've had a few beers and I've been to Wrigley a time or two, so buckle up. We're diving into the greatest Cubs of all time, and it's gonna be a wild ride.

Let's Start With The Obvious: The Curse

You can't talk about the Cubs without mentioning the Curse of the Billy Goat, right? Legend has it, back in 1945, a guy named William "Billy Goat" Sianis was kicked out of Game 4 of the World Series 'cause his goat was bothering folks. He cursed the Cubs, saying they'd never win another Series. Well, they didn't... until 2016. But hey, at least they had some great goats along the way, amirite?

Meet Mr. Cub: Ernie Banks

Now, let's talk about the real MVP of the Cubs: Ernie Banks. This guy was so nice, he made Mother Teresa look like a grump. He played shortstop and first base, hit 512 home runs, and was the first National League player to win back-to-back MVPs. Oh, and he was also the first African American to play for the Cubs. Talk about breaking barriers with a smile!

Here's a fun fact for ya: Banks was so beloved, they named a street after him. Well, kinda. It's actually a sidewalk. But hey, it's a gold sidewalk, so it counts. You can find it right outside Wrigley Field. Go take a stroll, snap a pic, and maybe you'll feel a little Banks magic rub off on ya.

Babe Ruth's Cubs Stint: The One That Got Away

You might not know this, but the Babe himself, Babe Ruth, was once a Cub. Yep, you heard it here first. He played for 'em in 1930 and '31, but things didn't go so well. He hit just .303 with 22 home runs in his two seasons. Not exactly his best work. But hey, at least he gave us this gem of a quote: "I've made a lot of money, more than I ever dreamed I could. And I've got a lot of good friends. But I don't have any enemies, and I don't have any regrets." Now that's a class act.

Ron Santo: The Man, The Myth, The Third Base Glove

Alright, let's talk about Ron Santo. This guy was a nine-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove winner, and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. But here's the kicker: he was also a bit of a character. He once said, "I'm not a good loser. I'm a bad loser. I don't like to lose." Well, Ron, neither do we, but we appreciate your honesty.

And get this: Santo was also a Cubs radio broadcaster for 21 years. He was so passionate, he'd sometimes cry on air. Yeah, you heard it right. The man bawled like a baby during Cubs games. But hey, it's not every day your team breaks a 108-year drought, right?

Fergie Jenkins: The Gentleman Pitcher

Now, let's talk about a real gent: Fergie Jenkins. This guy was a three-time All-Star, two-time Cy Young winner, and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was also known for his impeccable manners. He'd tip his cap to the crowd after every start, win or lose. Classy, right?

The 20 Greatest Chicago Cubs of All-Time - The Baseball Scholar

But here's where it gets weird: Jenkins also had a brief stint as a country music singer. Yep, you read that right. He released an album called "The Colonel" in 1971. I mean, if that's not a reason to love the Cubs, I don't know what is.

Ryne Sandberg: The Second Baseman Who Could Fly

Alright, last but not least, let's talk about Ryne Sandberg. This guy was a 10-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove winner, and the 1984 NL MVP. He was also known for his incredible range at second base. The man could cover more ground than a GPS on steroids.

But here's the thing: Sandberg was also a bit of a prankster. He once put a whoopee cushion on manager Lee Elia's chair during a game. When Elia sat down, well, let's just say it was a whoopee-good time for everyone in the dugout. Except maybe Elia.

So There You Have It

The greatest Cubs of all time, in all their glory. From Ernie Banks' smile to Ron Santo's tears, these guys have given us some unforgettable moments. And hey, even if they did take 108 years to win a World Series, at least they kept things interesting, right?

So, the next time you're at Wrigley, raise a beer to these legends. They deserve it. And who knows? Maybe they'll send a little luck your way. Just don't expect any goats to join you in the bleachers. We've learned our lesson there.