1963 Chicago Cubs

1963 Chicago Cubs / Franchise: Chicago Cubs / BR Team Page

Record: 82-80, Finished 7th in National League (1963 NL)

Managed by Bob Kennedy

Coaches: Bobby Adams, Ripper Collins, Charlie Grimm, Vedie Himsl, Goldie Holt, Lou Klein, Fred Martin, Buck O'Neil, El Tappe, Verlon Walker and Mel Wright

Ballpark: Wrigley Field

History, Comments, Contributions

The 1963 Chicago Cubs finished two games above .500, at 82-80. This was a remarkable exploit for a team that had not had a winning record since 1946 (they had finished at .500 once, in 1952). They were greatly helped by the presence of two very weak second-year expansion teams in the National League, that year, the Houston Colt .45s and New York Mets. As a result, their positive record did not even land them in the first division, as they finished 7th out of 10 teams and a good 17 games out of first place. Still, after nearly two decades of utter futility, there was now light at the end of the tunnel for the Cubbies. But first, they would need to suffer through three more awful seasons, with two eight-place and one 10th-place finish, before finally re-emerging as a contender in 1967.

Awards and Honors

• All-Stars: Larry Jackson and Ron Santo
• NL Reliever of the Year Award: Lindy McDaniel