Established
1890
City
Chicago
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1900 – 1999 / American League
1890 – 1900 / Western League
Team History
1903 – Present / Chicago White Sox
1890 – 1902 / Chicago White Stockings
Nickname
White Stockings – The Chicago White Stockings, now known as the Chicago Cubs, are one of the oldest and most beloved teams in Major League Baseball. The team was founded in 1876 and has been a part of MLB for over 140 years. But what many people don’t know is that its iconic nickname has a fascinating history behind it.
In the early days of baseball, teams were often named after their home city or state – hence why we have names like ‘New York Mets’ or ‘Boston Red Sox’ today. However, when naming themselves in 1876, the founders decided to go with something different: they chose to call themselves “White Stockings” after their white uniforms with long-sleeved stockings! This name quickly stuck with fans, and soon enough, everyone began referring to them as simply "the White Stockings."
As time passed, things changed; players moved away from wearing white stockinged uniforms due to technological advances such as using electricity for stadium lighting (which meant that dark colors didn't appear washed out). Eventually, this led to some confusion among fans about whether they should still refer to this team by its original name - so eventually, someone suggested changing it back into something more modern: thus, 'Chicago Cubs' was born! And while there may be debate about which nickname sounds better - 'White Stocking' or 'Cubs,' one thing remains true: both nicknames represent an essential part of baseball's rich history here in America.
Championship
World Series 0
2005, 1917, 1906
Stadium
2016 – Present / Guaranteed Rate Field
2003 – 2016 / U.S. Cellular Field
1991 – 2003 / Comiskey Park II
1910 – 1990 / Comiskey Park
1962 – 1975 / White Sox Park
1968 – 1969 / County Stadium
1910 – 1912 / White Sox Park
1903 – 1910 / South Side Park III
Owner
1981 – Present / Jerry Reinsdorf
1975 – 1981 / Aaron Cushman
1975 – 1981 / Bill Veeck
1969 – 1975 / John Allyn
1961 – 1969 / Arthur Allyn, Jr. & John Allyn
1958 – 1961 / Bill Veeck
1956 – 1958 / Dorothy Comiskey Rigney & Chuck Comiskey
1940 – 1956 / Grace Comiskey
1931 – 1940 / J. Louis Comiskey
1890 – 1931 / Charles Comiskey
- 1901
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Chicago White Stockings Team Formation
In 1900, the Western League changed its name to the American League. It was still officially a minor league, subject to the governing National Agreement and an underling of the National League. The NL actually gave permission to the AL to put a team in Chicago, provided he not use the city name in the team’s branding. Comiskey moved his ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the White Stockings
The Chicago White Stockings presently known as Chicago White Sox, are one of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. Established in 1876, they were a founding member of the National League and have been a part of MLB since its inception. The team has won six World Series championships and has produced some of baseball’s greatest players, including Hall-of-Famers such as Cap Anson, Mordecai Brown, Frank Chance, Hack Wilson, and Ernie Banks.
The White Stockings began their journey to greatness when Albert Spalding took over as president before the 1880 season due to the shrewd management skills that saw him sign several star players from other teams; these included Adrian ‘Cap’ Anson, who would become one of baseball’s first superstars with his batting average rising above .400 for five straight years between 1881–1885 while also leading them to three consecutive pennants from 1880–82. In addition, he was an innovator introducing new rules such as moving fielders back 10 feet which opened up more room for batters, allowing them greater freedom at-bat resulting in higher scoring games – something we take for granted today but was revolutionary at that time!
Following this period came another golden age led by manager/player Frank Chance who managed four pennants between 1906–10 while producing several great hitters such as Joe Tinker & Johnny Evers, along with pitcher Mordecai Brown whose career ERA remains among all-time best even today despite playing during what is known now as “the dead-ball era." This group became immortalized when they were dubbed "Tinker To Evers To Chance" after a poem written about their double plays by Franklin Pierce Adams, which appeared in the July 12th, 1910 issue of New York Evening Mail newspaper - making it perhaps one of the most famous phrases ever uttered about any sports team!
From there on out, things went downhill until 1926 when legendary player Charles Comiskey bought controlling interest, becoming owner/manager and leading the club back into contention again, winning two American League Pennants during 1930's before selling it off in 1938, leaving behind a legacy still felt throughout league today in thanks largely due contributions made both him & those early stars like Cap Anson whom without none us might not be here enjoying the game we love so much right now!
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
2 / Nellie Fox
3 / Harold Baines
4 / Luke Appling
9 / Minnie Miñoso
11 / Luis Aparicio
14 / Paul Konerko
16 / Ted Lyons
19 / Billy Pierce
35 / Frank Thomas
42 / Jackie Robinson
56 / Mark Buehrle
72 / Carlton Fisk
*Blue is this team’s history