Chicago Cubs Yesterday & Today [Hardcover]

Steve Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2008

Open this book and explore the life and times of one of the most storied franchises in all of professional sports, the Chicago Cubs. Pairing historical black-and-white images with contemporary photographs of the modern game, Chicago Cubs Yesterday & Today celebrates more than a century of ups and downs in the history of the team and its legions of rabid fans.

The book examines the ballparks, the teams, the players, and the colorful characters that have defined Cubs baseball and earned the loyalty of fans nationwide. Photos and text trace the history of the ball club from its origins in the 1870s to the latest accomplishments on the field, comparing the diamond heroes of today with those of yesteryear.

In these pages you will encounter legendary batsmen from the Cubs roster, hitters like Cap Anson, Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg, Sammy Sosa, and Derrek Lee. Youll see the dominating pitchers, from Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown to Carlos Zambrano. And youll meet the stars of the broadcast booth---Jack Brickhouse, Ronald Reagan, Harry Caray---and other behind-the-scenes figures who have played a revolutionary role in the development of the team and the game of baseball.

A feast for Cubs fans and baseball aficionados, this journey through more than a hundred years of Chicago baseball encapsulates our national pastime at its best. It is the next best thing to a seat at Wrigley Field on a sunny summer afternoon.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Pairing historical black-and-white images with contemporary photographs, this lavishly illustrated celebration of one of the most storied sports franchises examines how the beloved Cubs, and the game of baseball, have developed over more than a century. It explores the ballparks and the lineups through the years, as well as the players who have defined Chicago baseball and earned the loyalty of fans nationwide. Here are the legendary batsmen, from Cap Anson and Ernie Banks to Ryne Sandberg and Derrek Lee; the dominating hurlers, from Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown to Carlos Zambrano; and the stars of the broadcast booth and the boardroom who have played a revolutionary role in the development of the game of baseball.

From the Inside Flap

With a lineage that dates back to the Chicago White Stockings of the National Association, the history of the Chicago Cubs is, in essence, a history of the game of baseball. The team has gone from dominating dynasty to lovable losers and back again perhaps more than any other. The Cubs have boasted countless all-stars and Hall of Famers, as well as their share of goats—both real and figurative. With more than 250 photographs and illustrations chronicling fourteen decades of team history, Chicago Cubs Yesterday & Today explores every facet of the game and illustrates how things have changed, and how they have remained constant for fans and players of Chicago baseball over more than 130 years.

            From the very origins of organized professional baseball, the Cubs franchise has played an integral role in the development of the sport. Team owners William Hulbert and Al Spalding were pioneers in shaping baseball during its nascent years. Three generations of Wrigleys and two generations of Veecks transformed the team from the dead-ball era through the depression and wartime years and into the modern age, revolutionizing how fans experience the game at the ballpark and in their living rooms.      An afternoon game at Wrigley Field is an event that every baseball fan should experience first-hand, and Chicago Cubs Yesterday & Today provides a visual and historical tour of this storied ballpark. From the development of Wrigley’s famous bleachers and the planting of its iconic ivy to the late arrival of night baseball and the legacy of the rooftop bleachers beyond the ballpark’s walls, this book illustrates how the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field has adapted to the ever-changing nature of the game while retaining its classic appeal. Indeed, even before the Cubs moved to Chicago’s North Side in 1916, they played at other noteworthy venues—including Lakefront Park (home to baseball’s first luxury sky boxes) and West Side Grounds—all presented here alongside the beloved Wrigley. Red-hot hot dogs, icy-cold brews, and other classic snacks have been enjoyed by Cubs fans generation after generation.

            Beyond the ballpark and the front-office wheeling and dealing, however, it is the men who have donned the Chicago uniform over the years that truly represent the majesty of Cubs baseball. In Chicago Cubs Yesterday & Today, you will find the all-time legends and the lesser known workhorses that have brought both glory and hardship to this great organization. A position-by-position tour around the field introduces the men who have defined Cubs greatness at each spot. From baseball’s earliest superstars Cap Anson and Mike “King” Kelly to the celebrated infield of Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance; from Gabby Hartnett, Hack Wilson, and the sluggers of the 1930s to Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Billy Williams, and the popular squads of the late 1960s and early ’70s; to the heroes of today and the stars of tomorrow, the best and the brightest from 130 years of Chicago Cubs baseball are on display within these pages.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: MVP Books; 1st edition (April 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760332460
• ISBN-13: 978-0760332467
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love my Cubs!, April 24, 2009

By 

R. Sykes - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chicago Cubs Yesterday & Today (Hardcover)

I bought this book about the Cubs for my 88 year old Mother who has been a Cubs fan all her life. Because of her age and poor eyesight, she was very interested in the pictures. She was able to recall Gabby Hartnett and other old time Cubbies. I highly recommend this book for other Cub fans that want to remember years past.