The Chicago Cubs become the first major league franchise to reach 20,000 regular season games when they lost to the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field Saturday night. Cubs players and field staff wore patches with a unique "20,000th Game" logo to commemorate the milestone.
The game-used jerseys with the "20,000th Game" logo will be available to fans via the Chicago Cubs Charities auction page on Cubs.com. Steiner Sports, the Cubs' official sports memorabilia partner, will also be selling several of the jerseys.
The franchise has been known as the Cubs since 1902, but has had other nicknames, including the White Stockings (1876-1894), Colts (1887-1906) and Zephyrs (1905). Of the eight original charter members of the National League, only the Cubs have operated continuously in the same city.
Chicago's first-ever regular season game took place April 25, 1876, as Albert Spalding pitched the first N.L. shutout in the White Stocking's 4-0 win at Louisville. Spalding also had the franchise's first hit, while centerfielder Paul Hines scored the first run on a throwing error in the second inning.
Hall of Famer Ernie Banks is the all-time franchise leader, having played in 2,528 games for Chicago - that translates to just over 12 percent of the team's regular season contests.
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