100 Things Cubs Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die

by Jimmy Greenfield

With 135 years of Chicago Cubs history, this lively, detailed book explores the personalities, events, and facts every Cubs fan should know. More than a look at the century-long wait for another World Series win, the book contains crucial information for Cubs fans, such as important dates, player nicknames, memorable moments, and outstanding achievements by singular players. This guide to all things Cubs also includes a list of must-do Cubs-related activities, which include taking in Wrigley field, traveling to Arizona for spring training, and sipping beers at the best Cubs bars around the country.

Genres: Sports, Baseball

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished!! This is an awesome book. However, the chapters were full of really dense sports references and I needed to take it in pieces. I definitely will be referencing this book and reading it again to become more acquainted with the team I grew up a fan of.

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two-and-a-half stars. I've also read 100 Things Blackhawks Fans Should... and, while that book wasn't perfect, this author seemed less up for the challenge. I can think if things that weren't included and there were more than a couple that were included whose importance I question. (Even the author admits in the Acknowledgements section that he struggled with coming up with the full 100.) To make matters worse, the author's tone often annoyed me. Still, there's no denying that I learned some things.

It is quite unfortunate that this was revised in 2016 BEFORE the Cubs finally won the World Series.


Notes:
Weeghman Park was sold to William Wrigley in 1920 and the park was renamed Cubs Park. In 1926, it became Wrigley Field. (4)

The first no-hitter at Wrigley was thrown on May 2, 1917. It was a double no hitter until the 10th inning when the Cubs Hippo Vaughn faltered. Cincinnati’s Fred Toney got the win and the no hitter. (4)

“Wrigley Field was home to the Chicago Bears from 1921 until 1970.” Only two stadiums have hosted more NFL games than Wrigley Field: Green Bay’s Lambeau Field and Giants Stadium (which hosted both the Jets and Giants for years). (5)

“In 1991, [Ryne Sandberg] set a major league record / for second basemen (since broken…) by going 123 games without an error” (14)

Wrigley Field was given the nickname the Friendly Confines by Ernie Banks. (21)

Previous to the Cubs, Ernie Banks had played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro League. (23)

Though Frank Robinson broke the color barrier in regard to managing an MLB team first in 1975, on May 8, 1973 Ernie Banks actually managed the Cubs for part of a game after the team’s manager was ejected and the back-ups were unavailable. (24)

Jack Brickhouse was replaced by Harry Carey in 1982, even though Carey was two years Brickhouse’s senior. (45)

Wrigley’s first night game was August 8, 1988. (67)

“From his first full season in 1961 up until 1973, [Billy] Williams was practically slump-proof despite averaging 159 games and setting a National League record by playing 1,117 consecutive games. He drove in at least 84 runs for 13 straight seasons and during that span averaged 29 homers and 98 RBIs.” (79)

Only four pitchers have given up fewer than 1,000 walks while striking out more than 3,000: Ferguson Jenkins, Greg Maddux, Curt Schilling, and Pedro Martinez. (95)

Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown pitched six consecutive 20-win seasons from 1906-1911. Ferguson Jenkins is the only one to match him. (101)

A free agent in 1987, Andre Dawson wanted to go to the Cubs because his hitting was better during the day by 100 points and his lifetime at Wrigley was .346. Dawson and his agent held a press conference announcing he had signed with the Cubs and that the team could fill in whatever dollar figure they wanted…though he had not yet in fact been offered to sign with the team. (They ended up paying him $500,000 plus incentives. (105-106)

“The 1906 Cubs…went 116-36 and still hold the major league record for highest single-season winning percentage” (119)

“The Cubs averaged 106 wins between 1906 and 1910, winning the National League pennant four times…And with titles in 1907 and 1908, the Cubs were the first team to repeat as World Series champs.” (122)

“[Cap] Anson was the first major leaguer to reach 3,000 hits and still holds Cubs career records for most hits, runs, doubles, and RBIs…Anson is credited by some with inventing the hit-and-run and was among the first to use hand signals, platoon players, and pitching rotations, plus he conducted a team-sponsored spring training.” (128)

Hack Wilson’s 1930 season: .356 average, 56 homers, and 191 RBIs. It was the greatest year in National League history. (130)

In 1984 (?), Rick Sutcliffe joined the Cubs in mid-June after a middling start to his season. On the Cubs, he went “16-1 with a 2.69 ERA to win the NL Cy Young Award.” (143)

May 17, 1979: Phillies 23, Cubs 22 (145)

Mark Grace had the most hits in the MLB in the 1990s. The most doubles, too. He was a four-time Gold Glove first baseman who hit .308 as a Cub. (159)

Jake Arrieta’s 2015 season was perhaps the best second half of a season ever pitched. He went 14-1, the one loss coming from a no-hitter on the other side. “The 0.75 ERA Arrieta posted was the lowest after the All Star game in MLB history. By season’s end, he had won 22 games, had a 1.77 ERA and won the Cy Young. (166)

Starlin Castro hit six RBIs in his major league debut, a record. (218)

From Sept 9, 1965 (LA Dodgers’ Sandy Koufax) to July 25, 2015 (Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels), the Cubs went a record 7,920 games without losing to a no-hitter. (256-258)

[Adam Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the updated edition after the 2016 season.

The best thing about this book is unlike a bunch of the "100 things you should see/do before you die" lists, most of the book is things to KNOW. You read a 2-3 page story about someone or something in Cubs history and you can "check the box". There are actually very few things to do and most are totally practical for anyone in the Chicago area.

That said, you'll enjoy the book more if you see it as a series of anecdotes about the Cubs and don't take the title literally. Most of the stories are entertaining and informative and timeless. Learning about Cubs greats or the 1984 season or the Sandberg game will always matter for Cubs fans. The revision has a number of editing errors - things that made sense when the book was written in 2012 but aren't right now that the Cubs have won the World Series (hope that's not a spoiler).

[Bruce Cashbaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting stories, but nothing new or revealing. I'd give it a 4, but lost a point because each article stood on its own, as if it had been written independently, and not related to any other story. Which, of course, they were, so I kept thinking "hey, that's not exactly what you said XX pages ago."

An editor provides highly valued insight.

[Roger Smitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book gets five stars because it helps us understand why baseball is a wonderful past time. Greenfield has captured the many, many dimensions to the game AND how the Cubs over the years have made baseball more than a sport.

[Jacquelyn Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fun memory filled book to read. You will probably only find it interesting if you like baseball or the Chicago Cubs or both. It was really cool to read stories many years ago about the Cubs as well as stories and memories I remember as well. It is a well researched book.

[Robert Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stuff for Cubs fans and just baseball fans in general. The book is more than just trivia -- it touches on the things that make a fan base. It's educational, informative, and fun.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fine casual read. Certain things really piqued my interest. The highlights for me were:
#1 - "Watch the Cubs Win the World Series". Now it's happened! It made me grin to read that in glorious hindsight. I saw that the new edition has in fact updated it to "It Happened".

#7 - Ernie Banks. My favorite Cub. Made me appreciate him even more.

#21 - Amazing bit of info: Every other Major League ballpark had lights as early as 1948. Which means that the Cubs played for 40 years in the only ballpark without night games. I knew they were the last to hold out, but I had no idea it was THAT long.

#77 - 0-14 start in 1997. Ouch.

#95 on the list said "Be a Guest Conductor of the Seventh-Inning Stretch". Easier said than done. Maybe should just shoot for "Sing 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' at Wrigley Field".
A few too many chapters were simply Wikipedia-like mini-biographies of single players that provided little worthwhile information. Also, I suppose it's fitting that "Die" is in the title, because I felt like every other chapter mentioned or described someone dying, or having a terminal illness, or something. A bit more depressing than uplifting or fun.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to any serious cubs fan. When I was reading it I realy enjoyed it because not only did I know a lot of it, but I learned things that really interested me. I also liked knowing that I had done many of the numbers.

In this book it lists 100 things that have strong relation to the Cubs. Whether it's players or places this bok has it all. For example the book lists a good place to park when going to games. It also includes details of Sammy Sosa's boom box. Since the bok is current it lists up and coming prospect Starlin Castro.

I can connect to this book because I am a huge Cubs fan. I have met many of the players listed in this book including Fergie Jenkins. I have been to the Cubs convention and to many games. I am sure when I go next I will use the book's parking tip.

[Jeff Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A HUGE Refresher!

As a lifelong Cubs fan, I was both shocked and amazed of the many stories about the Cubs, their fans and even the occasional oddball personality. It mentioned players I even forgot about and it never leaves out the legends like Banks, Sandberg, Grace, Dawson, Anson and our personal favorites, Tinker to Evers to Chance. This book should be both treated as a Bible and a Cliff Notes book for those who should or need to understand the Cubs. The Cubs are by far one of the most beloved and most traditional teams in sports.

[Terry Wilkerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned a lot about the Cubbies

Even though I'm from Chicago & my Favorite team is the Cubs I still learned a lot from this book.. Very Interesting read & even though quite a few of the stories are public knowledge, you find out more than you knew beforehand.. If you are a Baseball Fan, then you should read this book, especially if you are a Cubs fan...

[Karie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for any Cubs fan :-)