Happy Birthday ‘Cubs’
On March 27, 1902, the Chicago Daily News used the name ‘Cubs’ for the first time in print. The nickname was coined when Frank Selee (1902-1905) became the new manager of the Chicago National League Ball Club, Inc. The nickname ‘Cubs’ was derived from the new manager rebuilding the team with young, unproven players to replace the veterans that had jumped leagues to play in the American League for higher pay.
Due to new owner Jim Hart signing so many young players the club had taken on the name ‘Chicago Spuds,’ a name given by the Chicago Tribune that did not appeal to the fans and when Frank Selee started to build what would be the nucleus of a championship team, many felt a more appropriate nickname was needed.