1906 Chicago Cubs season
Encyclopedia
The Chicago Cubs
season was a season in American baseball
. The team won the National League
pennant
with a record of 116-36, a full 20 games ahead of the second-place New York Giants
. The team's 116 wins is still the most by any team in National League history. The team's .763 winning percentage is still the highest in modern MLB history (i.e., since 1901).
In a huge upset, the Cubs were beaten by the Chicago White Sox
in the 1906 World Series
. Despite this, the club is still considered one of the greatest baseball teams of all-time.
Led by new manager Frank Chance
, the Cubs dominated the NL. They led the league in both runs scored and fewest runs allowed by large margins. Their record of 116 has never been beaten, although it was tied by the 2001 Seattle Mariners
(who played a longer 162-game season).
The team included four future Hall of Famers
: manager and first baseman Chance, second baseman Johnny Evers
, shortstop Joe Tinker
, and pitcher Mordecai Brown
. Brown finished second in the NL in wins to Joe McGinnity, but his 1.04 ERA
set a major league record. Although the record was broken by Dutch Leonard
in , Brown's mark still stands as the National League record.
The pitching staff led the majors with a team earned run average
of 1.76. Six members of the pitching staff had double digit victories – Mordecai Brown (26), Jack Pfiester
(20), Ed Reulbach
(19), Carl Lundgren
(17), Orval Overall
(12), and Jack Taylor (12). In addition, Mordecai Brown set a major league record with the lowest earned run average attained with at least 250 innings pitched (1.04). The offensive star was third baseman Harry Steinfeldt
, who led the NL in both hits and RBI.
The team's .763 winning percentage also set a modern-era record, and was the best overall since . However, it set neither a National League record nor even a franchise record, as the 19th-century White Stockings finished with better records on three occasions (1876
, 1880
, and 1885
). The all-time major league record belongs to the 1884 St. Louis Maroons
of the Union Association
at .832.
On August 9, Jack Taylor threw the last of a major league record 187 consecutive complete games that he pitched (not counting appearances as a relief pitcher
), a streak that began in when Taylor was pitching for the Chicago Orphans
. Taylor had been re-acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals
on July 1, having been traded to the Cards after the 1903 season
.
(4) vs NL Chicago Cubs (2)
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
season was a season in American baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. The team won the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
with a record of 116-36, a full 20 games ahead of the second-place New York Giants
1906 New York Giants season
The New York Giants won 96 games and finished second in the National League.- Notable transactions :* July 13, 1906: Doc Marshall and Sam Mertes were traded by the Giants to the St. Louis Cardinals for Spike Shannon.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
. The team's 116 wins is still the most by any team in National League history. The team's .763 winning percentage is still the highest in modern MLB history (i.e., since 1901).
In a huge upset, the Cubs were beaten by the Chicago White Sox
1906 Chicago White Sox season
The 1906 season was the seventh season overall for the Chicago White Sox, and their sixth season in the major leagues. The Sox won their third American League pennant and their first World Series championship...
in the 1906 World Series
1906 World Series
- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 9, 1906 at West Side Grounds in Chicago, IllinoisCubs hurler Mordecai Brown was sent to continue the dominance against Nick Altrock. Both pitchers pitched a perfect game through three innings. The Cubs had a runner at second, but couldn't score in the fourth...
. Despite this, the club is still considered one of the greatest baseball teams of all-time.
Regular season
Frank Chance
Frank Leroy Chance was a Major League Baseball player at the turn of the 20th century. Performing the roles of first baseman and manager, Chance led the Chicago Cubs to four National League championships in the span of five years and earned the nickname "The Peerless Leader".Chance was elected to...
, the Cubs dominated the NL. They led the league in both runs scored and fewest runs allowed by large margins. Their record of 116 has never been beaten, although it was tied by the 2001 Seattle Mariners
2001 Seattle Mariners season
The Seattle Mariners' 2001 season was the 25th since franchise inception, and ended with the Mariners winning their third American League West division title, with a record of 116-46. The team set an American League record for single-season wins, and tied the Major League record set by the Chicago...
(who played a longer 162-game season).
The team included four future Hall of Famers
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
: manager and first baseman Chance, second baseman Johnny Evers
Johnny Evers
John Joseph Evers was a Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1946...
, shortstop Joe Tinker
Joe Tinker
Joseph Bert Tinker was a Major League Baseball player and manager. He is best known for his years with the Chicago Cubs dynasty which won four pennants between 1906 and 1910; and for his feud with double play partner Johnny Evers. Tinker was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in...
, and pitcher Mordecai Brown
Mordecai Brown
Mordecai Peter Centennial Brown , nicknamed "Three Finger" or "Miner", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher at the turn of the 20th century. Due to a farm-machinery accident in his youth, Brown lost parts of two fingers on his right hand and eventually acquired his nickname as a result...
. Brown finished second in the NL in wins to Joe McGinnity, but his 1.04 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
set a major league record. Although the record was broken by Dutch Leonard
Dutch Leonard (left-handed pitcher)
Hubert Benjamin "Dutch" Leonard, was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who had an 11-year career from 1913–1921, 1924-1925. He played for the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers, and holds the major league modern-era record for the lowest single-season ERA of all time — 0.96...
in , Brown's mark still stands as the National League record.
The pitching staff led the majors with a team earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 1.76. Six members of the pitching staff had double digit victories – Mordecai Brown (26), Jack Pfiester
Jack Pfiester
John Albert Pfiester , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1903-1911....
(20), Ed Reulbach
Ed Reulbach
Edward Marvin "Big Ed" Reulbach was a major league baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs during their glory years of the early 1900s....
(19), Carl Lundgren
Carl Lundgren
Carl Leonard "Lundy" Lundgren was an American baseball and football player and coach.Lundgren played football and baseball for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and played eight seasons of Major League Baseball as a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. In eight years with the Cubs, he compiled...
(17), Orval Overall
Orval Overall
Orval Overall was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was a member of the Chicago Cubs dynasty of the early 1900s.-Biography:...
(12), and Jack Taylor (12). In addition, Mordecai Brown set a major league record with the lowest earned run average attained with at least 250 innings pitched (1.04). The offensive star was third baseman Harry Steinfeldt
Harry Steinfeldt
Harry M. Steinfeldt was a third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds , Chicago Cubs and Boston Rustlers . Steinfeldt batted and threw right-handed. He was born in St...
, who led the NL in both hits and RBI.
The team's .763 winning percentage also set a modern-era record, and was the best overall since . However, it set neither a National League record nor even a franchise record, as the 19th-century White Stockings finished with better records on three occasions (1876
1876 Chicago White Stockings season
The Chicago White Stockings were one of the founding members of the new National League, and won its initial championship during the 1876 season.-Roster:-Starters by position:...
, 1880
1880 Chicago White Stockings season
-Roster:-Starters by position:Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in-Other batters:Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
, and 1885
1885 Chicago White Stockings season
The Chicago White Stockings season was a season in American baseball. The team won the National League pennant for the first time since , beating the New York Giants by two games. They went on to face the St. Louis Browns in the 1885 World Series...
). The all-time major league record belongs to the 1884 St. Louis Maroons
1884 St. Louis Maroons season
The St. Louis Maroons finished with a 94-19 record and won the championship of the new Union Association. After the season the UA folded and the Maroons joined the National League, the only UA team to continue past this season.- Roster :...
of the Union Association
Union Association
The Union Association was a league in Major League Baseball which lasted for only one season in 1884. St. Louis won the pennant and joined the National League the following season...
at .832.
On August 9, Jack Taylor threw the last of a major league record 187 consecutive complete games that he pitched (not counting appearances as a relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
), a streak that began in when Taylor was pitching for the Chicago Orphans
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. Taylor had been re-acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
on July 1, having been traded to the Cards after the 1903 season
1903 in baseball
300px|thumb|1903 [[1903 Boston Americans season|Boston]] vs [[1903 Chicago White Stockings season|Chicago]] at [[Huntington Avenue Grounds]]-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Boston Americans over Pittsburgh Pirates , in the first modern World Series...
.
Roster
| 1906 Chicago Cubs | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager | ||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 107 | 343 | 107 | .312 | 2 | 46 | |
| 1B | 136 | 474 | 151 | .319 | 3 | 71 | |
| 2B | 154 | 533 | 136 | .255 | 1 | 51 | |
| SS | 148 | 523 | 122 | .233 | 1 | 64 | |
| 3B | 151 | 539 | 176 | .327 | 3 | 83 | |
| OF | 149 | 549 | 144 | .262 | 1 | 45 | |
| OF | 146 | 563 | 158 | .281 | 7 | 60 | |
| OF | 127 | 498 | 119 | .239 | 0 | 33 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned Run Average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 277.1 | 26 | 6 | 1.04 | 144 | |
| 31 | 250.2 | 20 | 8 | 1.51 | 153 | |
| 33 | 218 | 19 | 4 | 1.65 | 94 | |
| 27 | 207.2 | 17 | 6 | 2.21 | 103 | |
| 17 | 147.1 | 12 | 3 | 1.83 | 34 | |
| 18 | 144 | 12 | 3 | 1.88 | 94 | |
| 10 | 72.1 | 3 | 5 | 2.99 | 25 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned Run Average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 70 | 6 | 1 | 2.70 | 55 | |
1906 World Series
AL Chicago White Sox1906 Chicago White Sox season
The 1906 season was the seventh season overall for the Chicago White Sox, and their sixth season in the major leagues. The Sox won their third American League pennant and their first World Series championship...
(4) vs NL Chicago Cubs (2)
| Game | Score | Date | Location | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White Sox - 2, Cubs - 1 | October 9 | West Side Park West Side Park West Side Park was the name used for two different baseball parks that formerly stood in Chicago, Illinois. They were both home fields of the team now known as the Chicago Cubs of the National League. Both parks witnessed championship baseball... |
12,693 |
| 2 | Cubs - 7, White Sox - 1 | October 10 | South Side Park South Side Park South Side Park was the name used for three different baseball parks that formerly stood in Chicago, Illinois at different times, and whose sites were all just a few blocks away from each other.... |
12,595 |
| 3 | White Sox - 3, Cubs - 0 | October 11 | West Side Park West Side Park West Side Park was the name used for two different baseball parks that formerly stood in Chicago, Illinois. They were both home fields of the team now known as the Chicago Cubs of the National League. Both parks witnessed championship baseball... |
13,667 |
| 4 | Cubs - 1, White Sox - 0 | October 12 | South Side Park South Side Park South Side Park was the name used for three different baseball parks that formerly stood in Chicago, Illinois at different times, and whose sites were all just a few blocks away from each other.... |
18,385 |
| 5 | White Sox - 8, Cubs - 6 | October 13 | West Side Park West Side Park West Side Park was the name used for two different baseball parks that formerly stood in Chicago, Illinois. They were both home fields of the team now known as the Chicago Cubs of the National League. Both parks witnessed championship baseball... |
23,257 |
| 6 | Cubs - 3, White Sox - 8 | October 14 | South Side Park South Side Park South Side Park was the name used for three different baseball parks that formerly stood in Chicago, Illinois at different times, and whose sites were all just a few blocks away from each other.... |
19,249 |
Awards and honors
- Highest team winning percentageWinning percentageIn sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
in one season in the modern era (.763) - Chicago Cubs pitching staff led the majors with a team earned run averageEarned run averageIn baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 1.76. - Mordecai Brown, major league record, lowest earned run average with at least 250 innings pitched (1.04)