Wrigley Expansion - Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs

THIS CONTENT IS FROM CUBS.MLB.COM

1876 - 1899 - In 1876, the Chicago White Stockings become one of eight charter members of the National League led by their president William A. Hulbert, who was also the owner of the Chicago club. A.G. Spalding is the manager when the team plays its first game in the history of the Chicago National League Ball Club that takes place on April 25.

1900s - What a decade for Cubs baseball, which is exactly what it was. In 1902, noting the youth movement lead by new manger Frank Selee, a local newspaper penned the nickname Cubs for the first time. The moniker prevailed over time and was officially adopted by the club in 1907. It is currently one of the longest running-and most beloved-alias' in all of sports.

1910s - The team began this decade much like they concluded the previous one-by winning. The Cubs win their fourth National League pennant in five seasons. Despite wining 104 games and capturing the flag by 13 games, they lose the 1910 World Series to the Philadelphia A's, four games to one.

1920s - In 1920, Weeghman Park becomes known as Cubs Park, after chewing gum magnet William Wrigley buys out the remainder of Charles Weeghman's share of the club. The park would undergo yet another name change in 1926 when it becomes Wrigley Field.

1930s - In 1930, outfielder Hack Wilson puts together one of the greatest hitting seasons in baseball history, pounding 56 homers and driving in 191 runs-a mark has never been bettered in Major League Baseball. On June 27, the largest crowd ever to see a game at Wrigley Field — 51,556 — is on hand as the Cubs play the Brooklyn Dodgers. But paid attendance is only 19,748, due to the Ladies Day promotion.

1940s - Instead of becoming one of the first teams to install lights, the Cubs went on to become one of the last when, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, P.K. Wrigley donates the lighting equipment that he had recently purchased to the War Department in 1941.

1950s - With the country in the middle of the Cold War, the Cubs as a team are in the middle of a frigid decade. After experiencing success for the majority of their existence, the Cubs finish the 50s without a postseason appearance, the first decade of a drought that would last until 1984

1960s - Sport imitated life in the 60s. A period mostly remembered for rebelling against the norm and untimely deaths of promising young leaders could describe the nation's or the organization's history during this time. In 1960 owner P.K. Wrigley experimented with manager position, implementing a "College of Coaches."

1970s - During the 1970s, the Cubs saw many of their greats ride off into the sunset. Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks retires from the game in 1971 with 512 home runs. Three years later he and his familiar greeting of, "Let's play two!" are inducted into the Hall of Fame. Billy Williams , who in 1971 becomes the first player in NL history to play in 1,000 consecutive games, is traded to Oakland on October 23, 1974.

1980s - Ch-ch-changes are in store for the Cubs in the 1980s in regards to ownership, postseason play and the park. In 1981 the Wrigley family ends their 65-year ownership of the team when William Wrigley sells the team to the Tribune Company for $20.5 million. In 1982 Fergie Jenkins -having been picked up as a free agent the previous November-becomes the seventh player in baseball history to hurl a record 3,000 strikeouts. That season Ernie Banks becomes the first Cub to have his number retire. The fabled No. 14 now flies from the left-field foul pole at Wrigley Field while Billy Williams' No. 26-retired in 1987-flies from the right-field pole.

1990s - Home runs, strikeouts and the passing of two legendary voices of the Cubs are the items of note from this decade. In 1990, Ryne Sandberg leads the NL with 40 home runs, the third-highest total ever for a second baseman. Sandberg also established a major-league record by playing errorless ball for 123 straight games. Cub pitcher Greg Maddux wins the NL Cy Young award in 1992, after posting a 20-and-11 record. The next season, Randy Myers sets an NL record with 53 saves. Setting the stage for greater things to come, in 1993 Sammy Sosa becomes the first player in Cubs history to post a "30/30" season, finishing the year with 33 homers and 36 steals.

2000s - However one looks at it-whether 2000 begins the new millennium or ends the old one-the Cubs began it with a rather ominous result. While Sammy Sosa continues his swatting ways en-route to becoming just the third player in major-league history to reach the 50-homer mark in three straight seasons, the team struggles, winding up with a 65-97 record.

THIS CONTENT IS FROM CUBS.MLB.COM