Worst Cubs Teams of All-Time

[RynoRules]

I think after yesterday's game I am ready to start putting the 06' version in some sort of context with other horrendous teams that have embarassed us in the past.

 

Here's a list of the worst teams in franchise history since WWII (generally considered the "modern era" amongst historians), IMO, beginning with the most recent:

 

2000:http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2000.shtml

 

1997:http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1997.shtml

 

1994:http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1994.shtml

 

1980: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1980.shtml

 

1974: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1974.shtml

 

1966: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1966.shtml

 

1962: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1962.shtml

 

1957: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1957.shtml

 

1949: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1949.shtml

 

 

IMO, it doesn't get much worse than 62' or 57'. Beyond the embarassing lineups, check out the picthing. Those ERAs would be terrible in 06', and therefore were historically awful in the 50's and 60's.

 

Lets get some opinions and debate.[/url]

[VicCub]

The '62 team was awful- college of coaches- only the Cubs could come up with an idea so dumb. But we still weren't as bad as the lowly Mets that year. (at least they were in their first year of existence- what was our excuse?) From what I understand the Cubs still teach baseball differently at each level. This team would teach baseball differently at the ML level from week to week depending on which guy was in charge at that time.

 

I thought that the '81 team might be on the list, but I think that the Mariners had an all-time worst type year that year. Plus it was strike shortened so we really didn't lose that many games.

[Salazar89]

The 0-13 start in 97' left me feeling much like I feel this morning.

 

Still it was a fun team to watch............this years version is just killing me.

[Pinktermite]

Dudes, these guys have had so many bad teams and so many of them recently (last 25 years), that it's impossible to narrow this down. Though the 97 team was pretty horrid, I agree that they were more fun to watch. This franchise just sucks and will always suck. But I still love them, it's like a Fatal Attraction and the Cubs are played by Glenn Close.

[cubfan1955]

Dudes, these guys have had so many bad teams and so many of them recently (last 25 years), that it's impossible to narrow this down. Though the 97 team was pretty horrid, I agree that they were more fun to watch. This franchise just sucks and will always suck. But I still love them, it's like a Fatal Attraction and the Cubs are played by Glenn Close.

Lock up your rabbits Dude... :D

[don_kessinger_was_good]

That 1980 bunch was baaaaad. Absolutely no pitching. 74, was that the year Bonham lost 20+ games? Wouldn't doubt it, it was the first full post-Fergie, Santo, Williams team if I recall.

 

This team will be competitive with those by year end. I'm calling a 95 loss season at this point.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I'm only 19, so I haven't seen many teams, but even when they were bad I could still watch them. Now, I can't even watch them.

[Outshined_One]

2002 should be on this list. That was a painful team to watch.

[Jehrico]

I think after yesterday's game I am ready to start putting the 06' version in some sort of context with other horrendous teams that have embarassed us in the past.

 

Here's a list of the worst teams in franchise history since WWII (generally considered the "modern era" amongst historians), IMO, beginning with the most recent:

 

2000:http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2000.shtml

 

1997:http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1997.shtml

 

1994:http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1994.shtml

 

1980: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1980.shtml

 

1974: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1974.shtml

 

1966: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1966.shtml

 

1962: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1962.shtml

 

1957: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1957.shtml

 

1949: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1949.shtml

 

 

IMO, it doesn't get much worse than 62' or 57'. Beyond the embarassing lineups, check out the picthing. Those ERAs would be terrible in 06', and therefore were historically awful in the 50's and 60's.

 

Lets get some opinions and debate.[/url]

 

Check out the nosedive we did in '99. OPS+ for the team was 89, ERA+ was 92.

 

Perhaps the worst collection of pitchers I've ever seen was our team in 2000, when we posted an ERA+ of 81. There can't be many non-expansion teams that did worse than that. (for reference, the '03 Tigers that went 43-119 also had an ERA+ of 81).

[RynoRules]

2002 should be on this list. That was a painful team to watch.

 

They nearly made the cut, but I thought better of it for reasons I cannot recall. Also, I did not include the strike-shortened 81' team b/c I already had the 94' team on the list. I have no reason for this other than it seemed like a good idea at the time....sort of like hiring Dusty in 03'.

[NewUserName]

The 1986 team had an outfield of Moreland, Mathews and Mumphrey if I remember correctly. Mathews and Mumphrey were both about 40. That team was brutal also.

[Monco]

Been watching since 74. This team has my vote. At least the other teams we were able to watch until August!

[bhogg]

Was it the 99 team that got within 3 or 4 games of cincy (in august maybe) then just went in the tank. . . .a lot worse than what we're seeing now?

[Andy]

2002 was a fun year - my baptism by fire of throwing myself full-bore into the Cubs (I'm 19 too).

[srbin84]

Personally, I think 99 was the worst team, at least the worst one I've ever followed. The pitching and hitting were awful. On offense, you had Gaetti (sub .600 OPS), Morandini (sub .700) and Santiago (sub .700). The rotation had names like Bowie and Lorraine....and I was actually excited when we got Bowie and Q from Atlanta because they were elite prospects compared to anything we had remotely close to the big leagues.

[CubsBullsBears]

I don't think this team is as bad as 1999, 2000, or 2002. I just think it's harder to take the losing after coming so close in 2003, just missing the playoffs in 2004, the White Sox winning it all last year, and the Cardinals and White Sox continuing to win. ](*,) ](*,)

[RynoRules]

Just to to try and refocus the discussion, the idea is to look at the list I posted, opine as to which of those teams was worst, and compare to the 06' team if you wish. Its really not an age thing. If you are 19, it doesn't mean you can't know your history, look at the 62' team for example, and realize they were horrendous.

[NCCubFan]

That 1980 bunch was baaaaad. Absolutely no pitching. 74, was that the year Bonham lost 20+ games? Wouldn't doubt it, it was the first full post-Fergie, Santo, Williams team if I recall..

That was the year Bonham lost over 20. Santo and Jenkins were traded after 1973, but Williams was still on the Cubs in 74 (that was his last year as a Cub).