Why the Chicago Cubs are Named After a Baby Bear and The Long, Weird History of Their Mascot

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In this video:
It was a weak ground ball to third base that ended over a century’s worth of baseball futility. On November 3, 2016, the Chicago Cubs won their first World Series in 108 years. Much like the Red Sox win in 2004 that also put the brakes on a similar streak, it propelled the Cubs into another stratosphere in terms of popularity. The following April, according to the Los Angeles Times, four of the top five player jersey sales were Cubs. Players appeared on talk shows and late night comedy sketches. Even the backup catcher had his moment in the sun, with a second-place finish on Dancing with the Stars.
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[@TodayIFoundOut]

Now that you know where the Chicago Cubs got their name check out this video and find out more about the fact that Jackie Robinson was Not the First African American to Play Major League Baseball: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIq3ZGSFpJKtn8U

[@daniellinehan63]

The Walker Bros. in the 1880's

[@camgood2437]

I thought it was because of the bear cub's ability to claw out the eyes of their opponents.. And also because they're so strong and determined in their ways. 🐻

[@paperboy9310]

Yes bald man fill me with wisdom

[@SlippyLegJones]

Shut your ugly self promoting mouth dude. edit: he did

[@Siberius-]

Seen this comment already, either you are pasting the same thing, or you are copying another comment.

[@Mr.E723]

Of course. When talking about breaking the championship drought you go right for the “04 Red Sox”, just like everyone does. Despite that especially in this case a far more appropriate comparison would be the “05 White Sox”

[@daniellinehan63]

Typical East Coast b.s.

[@Navillus.55]

Gosh, I don't know how you're able to talk so fast... I watched the Cubs at Wrigley Field starting in the late 1940's -- we all loved that they didn't allow night games then. I also recall when the Chicago Bears played at Wrigley Field before their stadium was built.

[@CV7Omega]

That 1 dislike is probably a cardinals fan

[@alcostello6114]

gaminggod lol screw the Cardinals, Cubs all the way man!

[@badcactus819]

gaminggod I am a Cards fan, and I have zero animosity towards the Cubs. I like seeing competitive competition.

[@T0mat0_S0up]

gaminggod Cubs fans are truly retarded. Most of them still don’t know that the White Sox are their real rivals. Not the Cardinals, but the Cubs are the Cardinal’s younger brothers.

[@timmmahhhh]

I figured it might have been relative to the Bears mascot. Wow I was off on that one.

[@jb888888888]

Other way around actually. The Bears were named after the Cubs, because at the time the Bears played at Wrigley Field.

[@billgrandone3552]

Da Bears were originally in Decatur IL and known as the Decatur Staley's after the Staley Co. that made starch, and corn and now soy bean products.. Geoge Halas worked at Staleys and played on the team. They moved to Chicago sometime in the 20's I believe, and became the legendary "Monsters of the Midway'

[@jb888888888]

I really wanted the Bears to go back to Decatur in 2002 when Soldier Field was being rebuilt but they played their home games at U of I Champaign instead.

[@billgrandone3552]

There's no stadium big enough for them to play in Decatur. Milliken College has the only football stadium other than high schools and that doesn't hold many people compared to Memorial at U of I.

[@jb888888888]

I figured as much. But still hoped.

[@lesliemoiseauthor]

My Dad has been a devoted Cubbies fan for decades. Can't wait to tell him this.

[@BinaryTechnique]

Damn so Chicago started both the MLB and the NFL

[@jacobbrand5538]

Actually they won the 2016 World Series on November 2nd and if ur really technical it would have been on November 3rd becomes it was like 12:03 when they won it

[@ObscuraGrey]

11:03. CST. Time zones buddy.

[@4077Disc]

Ian Short daylight sayings time didn't end until Nov 6 2016, so it would be CDT, not CST. I have No idea what the actual local time/date was, though.

[@T0mat0_S0up]

Jacob Brand After 108 years

[@aboxofbroken8tracks983]

They won at 11:47p CDT on November 2, 2016.

[@CaptTerrific]

I live in Wrigglyville and had no idea about this history - thanks Simon and TIFO team!

[@dlcalbaugh]

I did very much enjoy that video. Thank you, Simon and Daven.

[@S4LtyTrIcKs]

Do the white sox next, sounds like you got a lot of their history already

[@themonkeyhand]

Chicago Cub-killers is more like it. You'd think they would take a hint eventually.

[@andrewbauer2609]

The backup catcher is now the coach 😂

[@polski1683]

you need to tell us about the 1919 Black sox scandal

[@TheAtkey]

One on people banned by MLB would be good.

[@TheProgGuy]

I would've enjoyed the actual story of the bad luck Billy goat, but this works too.

[@davea5884]

Hi Simon, love the show! I had an idea for an episode 😁. So with dual citizenship I've spent a lot of time and, even lived, in Ireland on and off. With this I have come to enjoy and love some food and drinks that are difficult to find here in the states. One thing that has always confused me is why the United States is devoid of black current! I see why popular items like fruit pastels have not made it to the states but I've never understood how the flavor has not caught on here... I think this would make a great episode for the people who have never heard of this delicious fruit and those who are just wondering why they can not find it in the stores here. P.S. I'm 28 but the children's black current juice concentrate is still my favorite! Not sure if you got that in the U.K.

[@billgrandone3552]

Dave you can find black currant products at a site called igourmet. Also a lot of other English and Irish imports. Hope this helps

[@davidvenom]

Hey! Vsau- err I mean... hello Simon whistler here

[@gomalley411]

They didn't win in 1906... they lost to the White Sox. They won in 1908 and 2016.

[@alcostello6114]

They did win in 07 though

[@TodayIFoundOut]

Nobody said they won the world series in 1906. We said they won 116 games in 1906. "Despite having won the World Series in 1907 and the year previous in 1906 setting a record of winning 116 games..."

[@lambokid619]

@@TodayIFoundOut the wnite sox have a banner in their stadium with their world series wins

[@JK-Alabama11k]

@@lambokid619 and they are ass

[@FlexibleGames]

I don't know, The Chicago Microbes has a nice ring to it.

[@Jerome...]

As always, thank you for the video.

[@peteremilkudskjensen9504]

Next: Where do birds flee during storms and hurricanes, and do the return?

[@linklgas1691]

they flee to area 51 obviously

[@desnutz901]

lol the Chicago Microbes

[@zeanamush]

On a cubs fan it feels so weird being on this side of history.

[@bronzeowl9]

*person 1:* Hey, did you go to the cubs game yesterday? *person 2:* Oh you mean the remnants? *person 3:* I went to the fucking Microbes game yesterday, how about you?

[@camgood2437]

I think they should've went with Microbes, though. It has a nice ring to it.

[@ROGER2095]

Sal Monella pitching, Les Terria batting, Sue Demonas cheering. . . ..

[@scygnius]

Clark btw is the name of one of the streets bordering Wrigley and is a major street in Chicago

[@captaintimcurry1713]

I will do a happy dance if you make a video like this for every team in MLB...

[@pamelakelly3441]

What do we want? A Detroit tigers video! When do we want it? NOW!

[@dolantrimp1691]

i would like to see more videos on sports team's names.

[@Jefff72]

Oh ya the Chicago Bears derived their nickname from the Cubs.

[@Gojiro7]

I kinda wish videos like this on the channel would notify its gonna mention and show images of sad stuff like people and animals dying :(

[@Syfon000]

Why there are no RGB printers?

[@linklgas1691]

wow i really wonder why...

[@Jon-id7ki]

Because the black magenta and cyan allows truer colors

[@Jon-id7ki]

I forgot to mention yellow in the colors used by printers, though it's probably a given.

[@philipfrangipane1815]

Any thoughts on whether the general term "Cubs" in the early 1900s was related to the Teddy Bear phenomenon sweeping the nation at that time?

[@route2070]

Just a heads up the Cubs lost the 1906 World Series to the White Sox, and won it in 1908, being the first team to make 3 consecutive appearances and winnning it back to back, otherwise everything else that I know was correct (well Game 7 of the World Series was November 2nd not first and the game ended after midnight making the Cubs win on the 3rd). That said this is the first I have heard of real life mascots beyond Clark. That was interesting.

[@TodayIFoundOut]

We never said they won the world series in 1906, just won 116 games that year. I admit, however, it was an awkwardly worded sentence. :-)

[@route2070]

Today I Found Out Fair enough, either case a good video as usual.

[@bazzer124]

The Mariners tied the record for wins but not winning percentage since they played 10 more games than the '06 Cubs did in a season. Cubs: .763. Mariners: .716. Mariners would have had to win 7 more games to match the percentage. Close but no cigar. Cheers....

[@Redsoxking]

Would you mind if I post this on reddit for a TIL?

[@wowomatic]

Everyone knows Benny the Bull is the best Chicago mascot.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Imagine a cub wearing white sox...

[@LancetFencing]

look into the cubs logo you'll find some interesting facts there

[@cjninebot13]

Can you do one, why the sf grants are named giants

[@nabri-nfg3262]

Only baseball has a lucrative history as f⚽️⚽️tball

[@ImTheJoker4u]

Now that the cub is out of the bag, PETA is going to boycott Chicago lol

[@tonycooke1639]

Simon, please do a video on why we call people who look in another's window a peeping Tom.

[@TodayIFoundOut]

It's actually quite interesting kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3utq6ubfNiclcU

[@Ken11235813]

You say in passing that the Cubs won 1906 World Series. That's wrong. They lost it, to the White Sox (otherwise known as the Hitless Wonders).

[@TodayIFoundOut]

No, we say they won the world series in 1907 and won 116 games in 1906: "Despite having won the World Series in 1907 and the year previous in 1906 setting a record of winning 116 games..."

[@Jon-id7ki]

Listening skills are hard.

[@Podsedneck]

Tell them about Steve Bartman, and how their fanbase single handedly ruined the poor guys life.

[@4077Disc]

PowdaToastFace Killah the team gave him an official WS ring, just like the ones the players/staff got.

[@daniellinehan63]

Not their fanbase .......100 stupid johnny- come- latelys True Cub fans smelled a rat with Sammy & never blamed Steve

[@zeframc]

We should go back to the public naming teams.

[@brianarbenz1329]

The Blue Jays did.

[@eddyg5039]

GO CUBBIES! Like if you've loved the Cubs before they won the World Series☝💪🐻

[@SirWulfrick]

Uh, there are bears in Illinois. Not common, but you see 'em now and then.

[@RobertEWaters]

Actually they lost the 1906 World Series to an unmentionable team from the South Side of Chicago.

[@TodayIFoundOut]

We were only saying they won 116 games in 1906, not that they won the series.

[@johnprina3924]

Correction: The Cubs won in 1907 and 1908. Not in 1906.

[@NotHarpoGroucho]

What about Boston

[@heyphilphil]

Should have kept the Microbes.

[@DasAntiNaziBroetchen]

Nobody in the comments mentioning the insane mistreatment of the animals? Ah yeah, forgot people don't care about animals.

[@D5quared91]

Baby beah

[@Sequins_]

Why is the Seattle Mariner's mascot a moose???

[@mathieuleader8601]

here's me thinking they where named after a hairy gay mamn

[@michaelb1761]

I learned - ok, I already knew it - people are really evil.

[@ObscuraGrey]

So many White Sox fans who can't master listening AND understanding. But please, tell us more about 1906 hahaha

[@OliveOilFan]

Why did the Brooklyn dodgers and New York Giants leave to la and sf respectively And why the New York Giants and new York football Giants both have Giants

[@teemusid]

The reason I had heard was that O'Malley thought that they needed to have a ballpark that people could drive to and have a place to park. The Dodger's attendance in 1956, one year after winning the WS was disappointing. O'Malley wanted to move to the west coast, and the NL decided it couldn't have just one team that far away from the rest of the league, and Stoneham was persuaded to move the Giants. I heard this a while back, and realize that it could be utter BS that the teams put out to whitewash the real reason.

[@TheAtkey]

3 teams in one city is a pretty crowded market even for a city the size of New York and the west coast was growing. So money.

[@billgrandone3552]

Well most of what you said is correct. Ebbets field was showing its age and the neighborhood was getting bad so O' Malley was offered land for a stadium in LA. which did not come until 1966. The westernmost team at the time was the St. Louis Cardinals, so half of the country had nothing but minor league teams. The Pacific Coast League was very popular in California so O'Malley moved the team. The problem was that there was no natural competition in the west so he convinced Horace Stoneham to move the Giants to San Francisco, which did not turn out well at the start. The Giants played in aging Candlestick Park and for a while in Kezar Stadium, I believe. Despite winning the NL pennant in 1962 in a playoff series against LA, the Giants did not fare as well financially as the Dodgers who won the pennant in 59,63,65,and 66, winning three of four World series in that span. Stoneham never forgave O' Malley for inducing him to move the team. However with the Giants resurgence as a quality ball club, (well' except for this year) it looks like the Giants made a good move after all.

[@rrcczz]

How come you got 1m subs but only get a small fraction of the views?

[@TodayIFoundOut]

KZbin essentially only promotes a given video to a small fraction of one's subscriber base. Most people's youtube viewing habits are strongly driven by those recommendations, rather than manually checking each channel subscribed to. How much of one's audience gets a video recommended is based largely on the types of things that subscriber frequently views subject-wise and how often they click on a given channel's videos, as well as how well the video performs right off the bat among those that do get it recommended. On that latter note, channels like ours that post every day on a very diverse subject range are at something of a disadvantage with the algorithm in the recommendation department for a variety of reasons, including that only a subset of our subscribers are likely to be interested in any given day's topic and since there are so many videos, there's less of a drive among subscribers to watch every one regardless of initial interest. So not only are the videos only being promoted to a subset of subscribers, but only a subset of those will want to click and watch for a given topic, which doesn't look good in the algorithm's eyes. Much more, for lack of a better word, "focused" channels (only looking at a very narrow topic range, like maybe exclusively computer build related where most videos are likely to interest one's subscribers if they were interested in such a channel in the first place), or ones that only post like once a month or something, so a bit more of an event when posted, will see a much better performance with the recommendation algorithm precisely because of this. Of course, there are advantages to posting every day too- trade-offs in everything. :-) Oh, and on this particular video, I can tell you anything to do with sports is almost guaranteed to perform poorly. :-) But we're more interested in telling interesting stories in a variety of genres than necessarily concerning ourselves that every video is catering to the whims of the KZbin algorithm. :-)

[@adamkey5498]

Sorry bro that game ended after midnite. The game was won on 11-2-16 get your facts right

[@todddougherty8883]

Not sure how there are 3 "firsts". But I know I was the tenth "like". I'm happy with that. Hmmm... does that make me a Top Tenz?? Lol!

[@HayesIsTheWay]

Todd Dougherty no it makes you a fucking loser

[@todddougherty8883]

Wow... someone is not happy with life. So sorry to see that. Hope things get better for you. It's easier to not be so mean and angry all the time. Hakuna Matata!!!

[@winnielovestrash2221]

Todd Dougherty i love your attitude

[@todddougherty8883]

a boy, thank you for your support. I decided awhile ago that it doesn't help anyone to be angry all the time. A simple smile can make someone's day that much better. I believe that's a wonderful thing. Maybe that's just me

[@domgag1756]

There are black bears in this state. Just not many..............

[@linklgas1691]

They're easy to find, just go to Walmart. They even have little motor carts! :)

[@MrThepatrickshow]

Deeply disturbing...not at all fun history of the team, or humanity in the time when the team was young.

[@zanderjade5144]

5th comment haha I love the Cubs

[@alcostello6114]

#gocubsgo Best team

[@aaroneloy21]

Ross wasnt the back up catcher, and you should go take the tour of wrigley field and you'll know the REAL history of the cubs team name

[@TodayIFoundOut]

Rarely do tour guides give accurate information, not just in sports, but tour guides anywhere. :-)

[@jsonr]

Really YT? 16 seconds ago. 1 view. 3 first comments.

[@Siberius-]

All this stuff goes through checks and servers and the such. There's a system to it.

[@narata1541]

Hey Cubs fans! Like if you are a bandwagon fan and you can't name at least 10 players on the top of your head.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

Not even a fan... as such... but... How the hell do YOU keep 10 players on top of your head?!? :o)

[@T0mat0_S0up]

gnarth d'arkanen Why not? I can easily do it to my team

[@steveroger3669]

The Cubs are better than Sex 💙♥️💙♥️💙♥️

[@brianarbenz1329]

But you gotta wait a long time between, shall we say, the peak of passion.

[@steveroger3669]

@@brianarbenz1329 😝🫶😝

[@slobiden.2593]

First

[@desnutz901]

microbes. WTF

[@thesupertsar4473]

I'M THE FORTIETH COMMENT!

[@karthikm7063]

First

[@aperson22222]

Karthik M Doesn't look like it.

[@karthikm7063]

aperson22222 : first in Aisa