Retired Numbers - Chicago Cubs

Most teams retire numbers and simply display the number somewhere along the upper deck. Other teams make it part of the stadium wall with a decal on the padding. The Cubs fly their retired numbers as flags attached to their foul poles. And while their first couple of World Series titles happened before numbers were a thing in baseball, and their recent title isn't quite in the past enough for those men to qualify for the honor, the 108 years in between have given us a few choices...

#10 - Ron Santo

At 18, Ron Santo was diagnosed with diabetes and wasn't given that many years to live, something he kept to himself as he began his baseball career. Just making it to the big leagues while dealing with diabetes would be an accomplishment, but Santo didn't stop there and became an all time great. The 3rd Baseman was without peer defensively as he set, broke, and broke again numerous defensive records at the hot corner. The nine time all star won the Gold Glove every year between 1964 and 1968. While he did not get his Hall of Fame call until after his 2010 death, the Cubs made sure to retire his number in 2003.

#14 - Ernie Banks

The Cubs were established in 1870, and over 100 years later they would retire their 1st number when Ernie Banks would get the honor. Such is an accomplishment to the man known as "Mr. Cub." Another 1st for the Cubs was when Banks took home their 1st Gold Glove in 1960. A 14 time all star, Banks played his entire career from 1953-1971 in the friendly confines as he added another 1st, this time for the entire National League as he became its 1st back-to-back MVP winner in 1958 and '59.

#23 - Ryne Sandberg

"Ryno" began his career in 1981 with the Philadelphia Phillies, who didn't think he'd amount to much and traded him to the Cubs. He didn't exactly take off right away, but that all changed with the "Sandberg Game" on June 23, 1984, where he hit 2 Home Runs in a wild victory for the Cubs. From there, the Hall of Fame career was on for Ryne as he won that years NL MVP and began a streak of 10 straight all star seasons. 1984 was also the 1st of back-to-back Silver Slugger award years, in addition to 1988-1992 to give him 7 overall. From 1983 to 1991 he also won the Gold Glove at 2nd Base every season.

#26 - Billy Williams

Baseball has a long list of formidable left handed hitters, so it really says something when you are always included in many top 10 lists. Billy Williams broke out with the Cubs in 1959, won the 1961 NL Rookie of the Year and helped revive the Cubs in the standings year after year with regular 20 Home Run seasons that included six all star selections. After his playing days ended, he would still find his way back to the Cubs with numerous stints as a Coach that took him into the 2000s as part of the Cubbies.

#31 - Ferguson Jenkins

Fergie Jenkins holds the distinction of being the greatest Canadian born pitcher in MLB history. His 284 Wins are also the most in history by a black pitcher. Traded to the Cubs in 1966, he entrenched himself as one of baseballs best Starters the following season, regularly winning 20 games a year and pulling off all star nods in 1967, 1971 and 1972. He dominated in 1971 to win the NL Cy Young award, the 1st Cub to win the top pitching honor.

#31 - Greg Maddux

One of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, Maddux was better known for his Atlanta Braves days, but he began it all with the Cubs in 1986. He struggled at first, but figured things out in 1988, earning his first all star selection. In 1992, with free agency looming, Maddux put together another all star season, won 20 games and won the NL Cy Young award. The following offseason saw him sign with Atlanta where he put together the rest of his Hall of Fame resume. He signed back to the Cubs in 2004 where he would win his 300th game. The following season he struck out his 3,000th victim. He is the all time leading pitcher for Gold Glove awards, winning the 1st few with the Cubs from 1990-1992, then when he returned, won it in 2004 and '05, as well as 2006 though he was traded to the Dodgers that season. His Hall of Fame plaque has no logo, with Maddux unable to choose between the Braves and Cubs, showing just how important the Cubs and their fans were to his heart.