What’s the best Cubs jersey ever?

Since 1957, the basic Cubs home jersey has remained the same — white, with blue pinstripes, with the iconic “UBS” inside a large “C” logo on the left side. There have been minor modifications in the type of fabric used, and the “CUBS” logo has changed a bit over the years, but that’s more than 60 years of essentially the same look at Wrigley Field.

But it wasn’t always that way. Before 1957 the Cubs wore a number of different home uniforms, both at Wrigley Field and at West Side Grounds, where they played until 1915 (and won four pennants and two World Series).

Here, I’ve selected five Cubs jerseys I think stand above the rest, either for their basic look, iconic nature or just that they stood out from those of other teams. You pick the one you think is the best the team has ever worn.

Of the five, just one is a road jersey, but I think you’ll see why I’ve chosen it. And that’s the one that leads off this article. All of the images are from the Hall of Fame’s Uniform Database.

1909 road jersey

As you can see, the 1909 away jersey had a “CUBS” logo that looks almost exactly like the one currently in use. I like the “CHICAGO” vertically down the place where the jersey is buttoned (the buttons on the road jersey would have matched the ones shown on the home jersey here). A classic look with pinstripes, though the Cubs would not wear pinstripes at home until 1957.

1935 home jersey

A variation on this theme — a Cub holding a bat within a “C” — was used from 1927-36. I chose this one because unlike some of the years immediately preceding, it did not have an alternate. This was the only home jersey worn in 1935, and it has the added advantage of being the jersey worn for the Cubs’ only 100-win season between 1910 and 2016. Note that the Cubs used this type of “C”, which was also used by the Chicago Bears and the University of Chicago teams, for much of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, either on jerseys or caps.

1939 home jersey

The Cubs went back to the “UBS” inside a “C” in 1937 for the first time since that 1909 road jersey. The 1939 version had piping on the sleeves and pants, which I think is a classy look. I also like the “CUBS” not being in a circle, just standing alone on the jersey. Variations on this were worn from 1937-42.

1969 home jersey

Star-crossed though that team might have been, the look they wore was a classic. This was essentially the jersey style from 1957-71, with minor changes in the sleeve patch. There was no sleeve patch through 1961, then in 1962 and 1963 players wore the patch on the opposite sleeve from their throwing arm. For example, here’s a photo of Lou Brock in 1962; he threw lefthanded and wore the patch on his right sleeve:

In 1964, the patch was moved to the left sleeve for all players, where all “cubby bear” patches have remained to this day.

1993 home jersey

This is the basic look the Cubs have to the present day: A button-down jersey (they wore pullovers from 1972-89) with a cubby bear patch on the left sleeve (it’s currently the walking bear inside a “C”). They have worn this style of jersey since 1990, a timeless look that they’ll probably keep forever.

Which is your favorite? Or, do you have a different choice?