Who is the best Cubs pitcher of all-time?

When it comes to the best Cubs pitcher of all-time, there are no shortage of contenders. From Fergie Jenkins to Kerry Wood, the Cubs have had their share of all-time greats on the mound. But who is the very best? It depends who you ask, but in the eyes of many, the answer is Four Finger Mordecai Brown.

Brown, nicknamed Three Finger due to an injury he suffered in a childhood farming accident, played for the Cubs from 1904 to 1912. In that time, he racked up an impressive career record of 189-130, with an ERA of 2.06. His 239 complete games are still the most ever for a Cubs pitcher, and his ERA+ (a stat which measures ERA relative to the league average) of 140 is second only to Jenkins among Cubs pitchers.

On top of his impressive stats, Brown led the Cubs to two World Series titles over the Detroit Tigers in 1907 and 1908. His 0.87 ERA over eight World Series games was instrumental in securing those championships, as was his ability to pitch in multiple roles. Brown could be counted on to start, come out of the bullpen, and even field his position when the Cubs needed him to.

Despite his success, Brown was never elected to the Hall of Fame; he earned only 37.3 percent of the vote in 1949, far short of the required 75 percent. However, his legacy in Chicago baseball history is undeniable, and it is clear that he is the greatest Cubs pitcher of all-time.

Exploring the Case for the Best Cubs Pitcher of All-Time

The Chicago Cubs are one of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises, having been around for over a century and having won the World Series twice. As with any successful team, many great pitchers have donned the Cubs jersey over the years. Representing the North Side of Chicago, these are some of the best pitchers to ever don the blue and white.

The most obvious choice is Hall of Fame pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander. Nicknamed “Old Pete,” Alexander won six ERA titles and three pitching Triple Crowns during his time with the Cubs from 1926-1929. He won 233 games and recorded 2,198 strikeouts in his career, and was considered one of the greatest strikeout pitchers and control pitchers of all time.

Kerry Wood is another obvious choice for the best Cubs pitcher of all-time. Wood began his career in 1998 as a twenty-year-old rookie and quickly rose to stardom. In his first full season in 1999, Wood took the National League by storm with a 20-6 record and a 2.78 ERA. He followed this up with a 13-6 record and 3.36 ERA in 2000, and a career-high 266 strikeouts in 2003. Wood also holds the Cubs’ single-game strikeout record, striking out 20 batters in a single game in 1998.

Another contender for the best Cubs pitcher of all-time is Greg Maddux. Maddux is one of the most decorated pitchers in baseball history, winning four consecutive Cy Young awards from 1992-1995 and 18 Gold Glove awards, more than any other pitcher in MLB history. During his time with the Cubs, from 1986-1992, Maddux posted a 115-76 record and a 2.76 ERA.

Last but not least is Fergie Jenkins, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991. Jenkins was the first Canadian-born pitcher to win the Cy Young award and was a three-time All-Star during his time with the Cubs from 1966-1973. His career ERA of 3.34 was the lowest in the National League during his time with the Cubs, and he won 20 or more games in a single season five times.

The list of contenders for the title of best Cubs pitcher of all-time is an impressive one, with many greats having worn the Cubs jersey over the years. While it is difficult to pick one from such an illustrious group, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Kerry Wood, Greg Maddux, and Fergie Jenkins are the most obvious choices.

A Stats Analysis of the Top Cubs Pitchers

Baseball fans love to debate who the best pitcher in the Chicago Cubs’ roster is. With players like Ryne Sandberg, Greg Maddux, and Fergie Jenkins in the mix, it’s hard to pick one definitive answer. To find out who the greatest Cubs pitcher of all time is, we decided to look at the stats.

We researched the career wins and losses, ERA, WHIP, FIP, SO/9, WHIP, innings pitched, and walks/hits/innings pitched (WHIP) of the top five Cubs pitchers of all time. We then compared them to the league average of their era to see who the best pitcher was. Here is what we found:

After comparing the stats, it’s clear that Greg Maddux is the top Cubs pitcher of all time. Maddux’s career record of 355-227 is the best among the five pitchers, and his ERA, FIP, SO/9, and WHIP all come in well below the league average for his era. His 5,008 innings pitched are by far the most of any Cubs pitcher, and his 1.14 WHIP is the lowest of all the pitchers.

Fergie Jenkins comes in a close second with a 284-226 record, 3.34 ERA, and 1.16 WHIP. Ryne Sandberg and Ken Holtzman also had impressive careers, but their numbers don’t come close to Maddux’s. Kerry Wood had an impressive 9.2 SO/9, but his 95-104 record and 1.35 WHIP keep him from being included in the top four.

The numbers don’t lie – Greg Maddux is the best pitcher in the Chicago Cubs’ history. With a career record of 355-227, a 3.16 ERA, and a 1.14 WHIP, it’s no wonder he is considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time.