Chicago Cubs All-Time Team

We're back with the second half of The Collector's All-Time Teams series. Let's visit historic Wrigley Field in scenic Chicago, Illinois for a look the Cubs' All-Time roster:

Wrigley has hosted six World Series in its storied history, including 2016 when the Cubs broke their century-long curse with a victory over Cleveland.

Charlie Grimm skippered the Cubs to three National League pennants from 1932-1945. Only one man has managed more games for the Northsiders than Grimm has, and it's the first baseman in this All-Time lineup.

No it's not Mark Grace, who has some competition at DH with another first baseman.

	Cubs stats	WAR	HR	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+
	*Mark Grace	44.2	148	0.308	0.386	0.445	0.832	122
	Anthony Rizzo	36.7	242	0.272	0.372	0.489	0.861	130

The Cubs are going to need some pop off the bench, so Grimm sticks with Grace and gives Anthony Rizzo a chance to compete with some small-ball stars.

Rizzo's 242 homers as a Cub are more than King Kelly, Billy Herman, Stan Hack, and Kiki Cuyler combined. And there are more high-average, low-power hitters in the mix for Chicago's infield.

	Cubs stats	WAR	HR	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+
	Frank Chance	45.9	20	0.297	0.394	0.395	0.789	136
	*Billy Herman	42.0	37	0.309	0.366	0.417	0.782	112
	Bill Dahlen	34.0	57	0.299	0.384	0.449	0.834	123
	*Stan Hack	55.5	57	0.301	0.394	0.397	0.791	119

That would be a pretty good infield on its own, but only two can make the team. If Rizzo isn't one of them, perhaps Charlie Grimm can add some power in the outfield.

	Cubs stats	WAR	HR	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+
	*Jimmy Ryan	35.9	99	0.308	0.377	0.447	0.824	125
	Bill Nicholson	38.4	205	0.272	0.368	0.471	0.840	136
	George Gore	28.6	24	0.315	0.386	0.434	0.820	151

Herman and Hack are both bumped off the roster; Bill Dahlen earns a spot while Bill Nicholson just misses. The Cubs will carry three first basemen.


On the mound, Chicago has a tough call: keep a Hall of Fame hurler who probably belongs with the Braves, or let him go in favor of a longer-tenured ace with the second-highest pitcher WAR in team history?

Nope, not Greg Maddux; we've established why he's here. John Clarkson pitched the minimum four seasons with this franchise versus five for the Boston Beaneaters(who became the Braves). Is that enough to hold off a charge from "Big Daddy" Rick Reuschel?

	Cubs stats	WAR	ERA	ERA+	K/BB	WHIP	starts
	*John Clarkson	36.8	2.39	151	3.20	1.053	199
	*Hippo Vaughn	40.0	2.33	125	1.83	1.169	270
	Rick Reuschel	48.3	3.50	113	2.14	1.312	343
	Jake Arrieta	17.9	3.14	129	3.06	1.104	148

Reuschel might be more 'Cub' than Clarkson but the 19th-century star was undoubtedly more effective.

Grimm gets a chance to improve his bullpen with an overlooked(by me) middle reliever.

		SV	ERA	ERA+	K/BB	WHIP	Games
	*Don Elston	64	3.70	106	1.58	1.362	449
	*Carlos Marmol	117	3.50	124	1.92	1.329	483
	*Hector Rondon	77	3.22	124	3.65	1.127	296
	Pedro Strop	29	2.88	142	2.87	1.053	413

Don Elston was an All-Star (twice) in 1959, but he can't stop Strop in this competition.

Looking ahead...and not seeing much. There aren't any current Cubs who are on an All-Time trajectory. Maybe Pete Crow-Armstrong will pan out as their next franchise player, but he's just getting his feet wet in double-A. Maybe Cody Bellinger returns to MVP form and sticks around long enough to qualify. Which is more likely? Let me know what you think in comments.

TL; DR: Three changes from the original roster. Herman, Hack, and Elston out. Rizzo, Dahlen, and Strop in. 

 

Come back tomorrow for our next All-Time Team, the Cincinnati Reds.

 

Thanks for reading!

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