Chicago Cubs: Great Cubs team of all time tournament

We have all talked about it: How does the 2016 Chicago Cubs team rank in history? It is time to find out!

There has been talk all season about the Chicago Cubs and the history of the team. Can they make the first World Series since 1945? If they make it, can they win it and end the 108 year drought? How many wins will they have at the end of the season? We do not know the answer to any of these questions, and some of the opinions of the team have changed over the season. What we do know is that this team is good.

But how good? They are statically the best team in baseball right now, but what about in team history? Well, no better way to find out than to put together a bracket! That is just what we are doing. Here are the criteria for being in the bracket:

Now, that seems like an easy task, but to narrow it down into a manageable bracket is challenging. For example, the Chicago Cubs from 1906 to 1910 were incredible, maybe the best in the National League all time. The World Champion 1908 team won 99 games, and that was the least amount during that span. Also, the team has made it to the National League Divisional Series and lost a few times. However, there are several trips to the NLCS and World Series that would move teams higher regardless of win-loss record.

We have narrowed it down to 10 teams, and they will face-off in a bracket. Each week, you, the fans, will be present the match-up and a poll for voting. The team with the most votes moves on to the next round. It is that simple.

After researching the stats and crunching the numbers, here are our 10 contenders for the All-Time Best Chicago Cubs Team!

1906 versus 1908 battle for the top seed

It is extremely difficult to choose a Chicago Cubs team from 1906-1910, so we had to pick two. The rosters did change from year to year, but two things were true: Frank Chance was the manager and the team won.

But why did we pick these two teams?

The 1906 Chicago Cubs won 116 games, the best in Major League Baseball history. While this was tied by the 2001 Seattle Mariners, the Cubs played 10 less games. However, they lost the World Series in six games.

While winning the fewest games (99) during these dynastic years, we talk about the 1908 Chicago Cubs today since this was the last team to win the World Series. For that reason, we put them above the 1907 team (107 wins, lost WS), 1909 (104 wins, no playoffs), and 1910 team (104 wins, lost WS). In a bracket to see which team is best, the last team to win a championship must be included.

So which one is best? The 1906 Cubs won the most games, scored 704 runs while only giving up 381, never lost more than 3 games in a row, and ended the season 80 games above .500. But, they lost the World Series. The World Champion 1908 team has a great second half of the season (54-23) to lead them to the playoffs to finish one game above the New York (baseball) Giants. The 1906 Cubs won the NL by 20 games over the Giants.

It comes down to this: does the record or the World Series mean more?

Who wins the top seed in our tournament?

Next: Wild Card Teams

Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

2003 versus 2015 in a wild card match-up

What is a bracket without a Wild Card? Well, we definitely have one here.

The 2003 Chicago Cubs may have only won 88 games, but they were the closest the team has come to winning the NLCS since 1984. They won the NL Central over the Houston Astros with a great second half run. On July 26, they were 5 1/2 games behind, but won 41 of 68 games in the second half – including six straight to end the season. The offense was average at best, but the rotation was top three in the NL. The starting rotation that included Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano, was the second to the vaunted staff of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Then, you have the 2015 Wild Card winner. With expectations low, the Cubs made a run for the ages. Jake Arrieta was incredible and won the Cy Young. Kris Bryant stole the show as the Rookie of the Year, and the team won 97 games. Yes, they won the Wild Card and had the third-best record in the majors. Kyle Schwarber hit mammoth home runs to carry the team and provide hope for the future.

Both teams went to the NLCS…..and lost in epic fashion. It is “Bartman” versus the Sweep. Which team makes it to the next round and plays the top seed?

*Note: The team with the most votes between the Top Seed Battle and the Wild Card will move on.

Next: Number 2 versus Number 7

Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

1945 versus 1989

This battle features two great teams.

The 1945 Chicago Cubs show up in the number two spot of our ranking for a couple reasons. First of all, this is the last Cubs team to make the World Series. Secondly, they won 99 games during the season, fifth-best of all time. The starting infield was fantastic. First baseman Phil Cavarretta lead the team with a batting average of .355. Add to that 97 runs batted in and 94 runs scored, you have the NL MVP. Teaming up with Cavarretta was Don Johnson at second base and third basemen Stan Hack, and you get the foundations of the impressive offense.

Compare that to Ryne Sandberg, Mark Grace, Andre Dawson, and the rookie duo of Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith in 1989. Can you believe that Sandberg led the team with 30 homers? But it was the pitching that really took the team to the best record (93-69) in the National League. Greg Maddux and Mike Bielecki solidified the starting staff while Mitch Williams held down the end the game. It was a great team, top to bottom. Unfortunately, they lost to the San Francisco Giant in the NLCS, making them number seven in our bracket.

So, who wins? The (#2) 1945 team or the (#7) 1989 team

2016 versus 1984

Ah! What could be….or could have been. This match-up features potential versus promise.

At number three, the 2016 Cubs. Are they truly worthy of this spot? Yes. Right now, they are 40 games above .500, and on pace to win 102 games, that is their best since 1935. What really makes this team special is the fact the lead the majors in pitching and defense, while boasting two MVP candidates on offense. Plus, they are top four in Wins-Above-Replacement in seven of nine starting positions. Could they make it to the World Series? Yes. Will they? We will have to watch. But, their potential is extremely high.

So was the promise of the 1984 Cubs, who hold the number six spot in our bracket. With a record of 96-65, they were the second best team in all of baseball. The team included Cy Young Winner Rick Sutcliffe, Lee Smith, Gary Matthews, Larry Bowa, Dennis Eckersley, and Bill Buckner. The season was magical at times, especially the “Sandberg Game.”

On June 23, 1984, the Cubs took on the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley. After second baseman Ryne Sandberg tied the game 1-1 in the first, the Cardinals scored six in the second. The teams would go back and forth. In the bottom of the ninth, the Cubs were down 9-8. Sandberg started the bottom of the ninth off with a game-tying home run against Bruce Sutter, sending the game to extra innings. After the Cardinals scored two runs in the tenth, Ryno blasted a two-run homer in the bottom of the tenth. The Cubs eventually won the game 12-11 in 11 innings. All because of NL MVP Ryne Sandberg.

Hard choice, but there can only be one winner. Who is it in this battle?

Next: Number 4 versus Number 5

Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

1935 versus 1929

This truly may be the best match-up of them all: (#4) 1935 versus (#5) 1929.

The team from 1935 featured some great names, and a few we see in 1945. Cavarretta was in his first full season, but the roster included MVP Gabby Hartnett at catcher, Billy Herman at second, Stan Hack at third, Augie Galan and Frank Demaree in the outfield, and two 20-game winners in Lon Warneke and Bill Lee. Not sure about the names? How about the team finishing 100-54 while scoring 847 runs. What really made the team special was the 21 game win streak at the end of the season to put the team in the World Series.

But, then, you have 1929. All we really need to say is one name: Rogers Hornsby. His stats: .380/.459/.679 with 39 home runs, 149 RBI, 229 hits. Simply one of the best players ever. But that is not all. Hack Wilson was almost as good with .345/.425/.618 split and 39 HR and 159 RBI. The team scored 982 runs. It was an offensive monster, leading to a record of 98-54.

Both teams lost the World Series, and the records are close. But, which team goes on to the next round?

Next: Round 1 Rules

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Round one ends on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 11:59pm!

Okay. Now is your chance! Vote!

The team that gets the most votes in each pairing moves on. Additionally, the team between the Top Seed Battle and the Wild Card candidates with the most votes (for example, if the 1908 team has more than each of the other three) moves on. This gives as a firm #1 versus #8 in the bracket.

Next week, we will present the final four for voting. Then the top two the following week. Voting is open until 11:59pm Eastern Time each Sunday. Now, vote!