Cubs Celebrate Historic March 27th Anniversary When Team Nickname Was Born in 1902

March 27th holds special significance in Chicago Cubs lore as the anniversary of one of baseball most enduring team nicknames, first appearing in print exactly 124 years ago when the Chicago Daily News forever changed how fans would refer to their beloved National League franchise.

On this date in 1902, an unbylined column in the Chicago Daily News noted that manager Frank Selee would devote his strongest efforts to the team work of the new Cubs this year. This casual reference marked the birth of the Cubs nickname, which would eventually replace the Colts as the official moniker for Chicago National League club.

The transformation from Colts to Cubs represented more than simple rebranding - it captured the youthful energy and potential that Selee hoped to cultivate within his roster. The Cubs name resonated with fans and media alike, gradually becoming the preferred reference until it achieved official status as the team primary identifier.

March 27th also witnessed other significant baseball moments throughout history, including the 1978 decision by Oakland Athletics owner Charley Finley to cancel a deal that would have relocated the franchise to Denver, Colorado. Finley objections to certain contract details led him to abandon negotiations with oil magnate Marvin Davis, keeping the Athletics in Oakland.

The date carries more recent Cubs memories as well, particularly the 2011 controversy surrounding pitcher Carlos Silva. After failing to secure the fifth starter position, Silva refused a minor league assignment and made disparaging remarks about pitching coach Mark Riggins. This insubordination prompted the Cubs to release Silva, absorbing 8.5 million dollars for his remaining contract years while the Seattle Mariners faced an additional 5.5 million dollar obligation.

Silva troubles extended beyond poor performance, as his 10.90 spring training ERA followed a disastrous second half the previous season. The situation deteriorated further after Silva engaged in a dugout altercation with third baseman Aramis Ramirez, creating an untenable clubhouse atmosphere.

More recently, March 27th gained significance through the 2020 season opener simulation conducted during the pandemic, where the Cubs fell to the Milwaukee Brewers in a virtual contest. Yu Darvish struggled with command issues before giving way to Alec Mills in the fourth inning, while the Cubs offense managed solo home runs from Ian Happ and Javier Baez plus an RBI single from Kris Bryant.

The date celebrates numerous Cubs-connected birthdays, including notable figures like Lynn McGlothen, Wes Covington, Dick Ruthven, and Jaime Navarro. Hall of Famer Miller Huggins also shares this birthday, though his Cubs connection came through opposing teams during his playing and managing career.

Beyond baseball, March 27th witnessed significant historical events including Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon first sighting Florida in 1513, the modern shoelace patent in England during 1790, and the arrest of Typhoid Mary in 1915 after she spent five years evading health authorities.

The 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, measuring 9.2 magnitude and triggering devastating tsunamis, claimed 139 lives and remains the largest earthquake in United States history. This natural disaster overshadowed sports activities but demonstrates how March 27th has witnessed both triumph and tragedy across various spheres.

For Cubs fans, however, March 27th represents the birth of their team identity. The casual mention in a Chicago Daily News column created a lasting legacy that has endured through World Series droughts, championship celebrations, and countless seasons of hope and heartbreak.

Today Cubs supporters can reflect on how a simple newspaper reference evolved into one of baseball most recognizable franchises. The Cubs name has transcended mere identification to become synonymous with loyalty, tradition, and the eternal optimism that defines both the team and its passionate fanbase across generations of North Side devotion.