The Chicago Cubs are one of the most historic franchises in Major League Baseball. Founded in 1874, the Cubs have produced some of the game’s all-time greatest players and enjoyed periods of tremendous success. Naturally, many of these star players and memorable moments have been commemorated on baseball cards over the decades.
Some of the earliest Cubs cards date back to the late 1800s from sets produced by tobacco companies like Allen & Ginter, Old Judge, and Goodwin Champions. These antique cardboard treasures capture some of the Cubs’ pioneer players from the early National League era. Stars of that time like Cap Anson, Adrian “Cap” Anson, and Fred Pfeffer were among the first Cub greats immortalized on cardboard.
In the early 20th century, tobacco sets continued to spotlight Cubs talent. The T206 collection from 1909-1911 featured future Hall of Famers like Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown and Johnny Evers. Brown’s impressive career stats and his famous pitching motion with three fingers following a farming accident made him one of the sport’s early icons. Evers’ defensive skills at second base also helped establish his legendary status.
The Goudey Gum Company issued the first modern design baseball cards between 1933-1939. These contained many memorable Cubs from the 1930s dynasties including Gabby Hartnett, Billy Herman, and Stan Hack. Hartnett’s “Homer in the Gloamin'” walk-off shot from 1938 that kept the Cubs in the pennant race became one of the most famous plays in franchise lore thanks to cards featuring his image.
Topps became the dominant card manufacturer starting in the 1950s. Ernie Banks’ rookie card from their 1957 set showcased one of the game’s greatest sluggers in his early Cubs years. Known as “Mr. Cub,” Banks hit over 500 home runs for the franchise and was a 14-time All-Star. Other notable early Topps Cubs cards included Billy Williams, Ron Santo, and Ferguson Jenkins.
The 1960s Cubs teams that featured Santo, Banks, Williams, and Jenkins competing for division titles produced many stars memorialized on cardboard. A highlight was the 1969 “last place Cubs,” who overcame huge odds and a modern-day record playoff run to reach the World Series. Topps and Fleer captured icons like Glenn Beckert and Don Kessinger from that underdog “Miracle Mets” squad on classic cards.
In the 1970s, Cubs greats like Jenkins, Bill Madlock, and Rick Monday had their careers immortalized on Topps and the new arrival, Donruss cards. Jenkins won the 1971 Cy Young with a 24-13 record for a last place Cubs team featured on his ’72 Topps card. The 1984 Fleer set contained rookie cards for future All-Stars Shawon Dunston and Rafael Palmeiro from that era.
Modern stars like Greg Maddux, Ryne Sandberg, Mark Grace and Sammy Sosa have had iconic Cubs moments captured on cardboard by manufacturers like Upper Deck, Score, and Leaf. Sandberg’s MVP seasons in the 1980s that saw him set the NL record for doubles in a season by a second baseman live on through contemporary cards. Sosa’s chase of the single-season home run record against Mark McGwire in 1998 enthralled the nation and is remembered on special inserts and parallels.
Even the franchise’s 2016 World Series championship team that ended their 108-year drought found cardboard commemoration. Javy Baez’s game-saving tag at second base against the Indians in Game 7 and Ben Zobrist’s Series MVP performance now have permanent places in Cubs card history. With such a rich baseball traditions, Chicago Cubs cards from over a century continue to collect and preserve the memorable players and achievements of one of MLB’s premier franchises for future generations to enjoy.
