Chicago Cubs history: The forgotten first rebuild

Before Theo Epstein, before Dallas Green, the Chicago Cubs underwent one other major reconstruction. Because no playoff appearances resulted, it’s largely forgotten. Until now.

After the Chicago Cubs’ historic 1969 collapse, local fans blocked a lot out. First, who recalls that the 1970 team came close to the playoffs? They finished five games behind the Pirates, or three games better in the standings than the year before.

Four future Hall of Famers again led the way. Banks, Jenkins, Williams and Santo. But after the 1971 season, 40-year-old Ernie Banks finally said “Let’s play none” and retired. The team would manage a final second-place finish in 1972, but by that winter, the core sell-off…