Why the 1906-10 Chicago Cubs was the best team in National League History

The Chicago Cubs was once known as the most dominant team in the MLB. They were the best team not only for the year 1906, but for five years, they were winning nearly 70 percent of their games, four National League Pennants, and two World Series. 

Image source : si.com

The 1906-10 Chicago Cubs team was the best team in League history, and here are their achievements: 

1906: They won 116 games, posted the highest season winning percentage in history (.763), finishing 20 games ahead of the second place, the New York Giants. Their longest losing streak lasted only for three games. 

1907: Chicago stayed on the top with 107 wins, 17 games up on the second-place Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs took over first on May 28, and by July 4, they were already 11 1/2 games ahead of everyone else. 

1908: Chicago fought in a three-way pennant race – probably the greatest ever – winning one game over arch-rivals New York and Pittsburgh. The Cubs finished with 99 wins, the only year of the five the cubs failed to reach 100 wins. 

1909: The Cubs improved to 104 wins, but Pittsburgh finished with 110 wins. 

1910: Chicago finished with 104 wins, and grabbed their fourth Pennant. They were ahead 13 games ahead of second-place New York. 

Image source : sportspaper.info

Hi, I’m David Berkowitz from Duke University. I support the Duke Blue Devils and my favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs. Visit my Facebook page for more updates.

The 71-Year-Old 'Curse Of The Billy Goat'

It was Oct. 6, 1945. The Chicago Cubs were about to face the Detroit Tigers in the World Series that they were leading two games to one. The Cubs last won the World Series in 1908 as the second of back-to-back championships. The team and its fans were feeling pretty optimistic that they could win just two more games to claim the title.

Fans were coming in droves to the Wrigley Field, the Cubs’ home ballpark. One of those who were striding in was Billy Sianis, a Greek immigrant who owned a local watering hole named Billy Goat Tavern.

Image source: cbc.ca

People called him “Billy Goat,” and it was a nickname he was quite fond of. Not just because he grew a goatee, but because he adopted a pet goat named Murphy. He even had a ticket to bring in Murphy to the game.

What happened that day to Sianis and his goat will forever live in the Cubs’ lore – that is until the Cubs win a World Series.

There are various versions of what exactly transpired; either Sianis and Murphy denied entry to the ballpark or they were kicked out due to goat’s unpleasant odor. Feeling insulted, Sianis placed a curse on the franchise, “The Cubs ain’t gonna win no more!”

Image source: youtube.com

The Cubs ultimately lost the 1945 World Series and had failed to play in one since then. Whether the curse is true or not, once the Cubs go back to the World Series, Wrigley Field will not have enough seats for the fans.

My name is David Berkowitz and I am a diehard Chicago Cubs fan. If you want to read more about the ball club, connect with me on Google+.