 |
League Affiliation: Continental Association Founded: 1887 (Border Association) Ownership History: |
|
PENNANTS 1895, 96, 99, 1900, 10, 18, 22, 31, 33, 41 |
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 1899, 1900, 10, 22, 31 |
|
ABOUT THE CHICAGO COUGARS Originally launched in a "thumb-your-nose" gesture by the Border Association at the Century League's William Whitney and his Chicago Chiefs, the Cougars went on to carve their own place in history as one of the Continental Association's most accomplished franchises. The whole thing started off as a way to infuriate Whitney - the Cougars' first owner was John Ransom, who ran a chain of grocery stores notable in some measure for refusing to buy its produce from Whitney's fruit and vegetable business. It turned out that Ransom's acumen for running a ballclub - which boiled down to letting the "baseball guys" do their thing was more successful than Whitney's own method which had him dabbling in his club's personnel moves, many of which did not work out. The Cougars relatively late entry into the Border Association (1887) played a role in their never winning a pennant in the BA. But they did win four while Ransom was the owner. When he passed away in 1901 his heirs sold the team to Ben Hunter and the club continued to be a contender, with three additional pennants before the Golden Jubilee of 1925 and three more following that in 1931, 33, and 41. During the late 30s and throughout the 40s into the 50s the Cougars have often been favorites to capture the pennant only to have it slip from their grasp time and again. There have been a long line of stars to suit up for the Cats but their lack of championship trophies has long frustrated ownership, management, players and fans. The club opened a brand-new ballpark, Cougars Park, just down the street from their long-time home at North Side Grounds. |
|
Cougars Park
BUILT: 1939 CAPACITY: 44450 ADDRESS: 2300 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL |
 |
