The Surprising Truth About The Chicago Cubs Mascot Name And 100-Year History

For over a century, the Chicago Cubs were Major League Baseball's most famous franchise without an official mascot. That all changed in the 21st century, and the name of the friendly, furry face of the North Side is now instantly recognizable to baseball fans everywhere. The current official mascot for the Chicago Cubs is Clark the Cub, a young, friendly bear who made his highly anticipated, yet initially controversial, debut in January 2014.

The decision to finally introduce an official team mascot was a direct response to years of fan feedback and focus groups, aiming to create a more family-friendly atmosphere at Wrigley Field. Clark’s name is a nod to Clark Street, the iconic road that runs alongside the team’s historic ballpark, tying the character directly to the heart of the Cubs organization and the city of Chicago.

The Official Profile: Who is Clark the Cub?

Clark the Cub is more than just a costume; he is the face of the Chicago Cubs’ community outreach and youth engagement efforts. His biography is intentionally designed to connect the present-day team with its deep, unique history.

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• Full Name: Clark the Cub
• Team: Chicago Cubs (Major League Baseball)
• Debut Date: January 13, 2014
• Species: A young, anthropomorphic Cub (Bear)
• Home: Wrigley Field (The Friendly Confines)
• Named After: Clark Street, which runs alongside the ballpark
• Official Backstory: Clark is a friendly, outgoing Cub who lives beneath the scoreboard at Wrigley Field. His great-grandbear, Joa, was the Cubs’ original live bear mascot in 1916.
• Primary Goal: To promote the Cubs’ community initiatives, especially those focused on children and families.
• Attire: He wears a backward Cubs cap and a Cubs jersey, but notably, no pants.
• Favorite Color: Cubbie Blue

The team introduced Clark at the Advocate Illinois Masonic Pediatric Developmental Center, emphasizing his role as a mascot dedicated to the youngest members of the Cubs fanbase.

The Century-Long Mascot Gap: From Live Bear to Friendly Cub

The most fascinating part of the Chicago Cubs mascot story is the 98-year gap between their first-ever bear and the modern-day Clark. For nearly a century, the Cubs stood out in Major League Baseball (MLB) as one of the few teams without a costumed character to rally the crowd, a tradition many other teams embraced in the 1970s and 80s.

The Forgotten Predecessor: Joa the Live Bear (1916)

Before Clark, there was Joa. In 1916, nine years after the team officially adopted the "Cubs" moniker, the franchise briefly featured a live bear cub named Joa as a team mascot. This practice was common in early 20th-century baseball, but it was short-lived for the Cubs. Joa, the original live bear, eventually retired from his mascot duties and was moved to the Lincoln Park Zoo, marking the end of the Cubs' first attempt at having an official animal representative.

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The retirement of Joa left a massive void. While other teams began introducing costumed characters with great success—like the Phillies' Phanatic or the Padres' Friar—the Cubs resisted, leaning instead on the tradition and history of Wrigley Field, often referred to as "The Friendly Confines." This resistance became a defining characteristic of the franchise, making the eventual introduction of Clark all the more significant and, for some traditionalists, shocking.

The Controversial Debut and Immediate Fan Reaction

When the Chicago Cubs announced Clark the Cub’s arrival on January 13, 2014, the reaction from the media and a segment of the fanbase was immediate and highly polarized. The initial press release highlighted the design: a young, friendly Cub wearing a backward cap and no pants, a choice that immediately became a source of ridicule on social media and in local news.

The criticism was swift, with some online commentators labeling him the "Stupidest Mascot Ever" and questioning why the team felt the need to break a century of tradition for a character they felt was too generic or, ironically, too "creepy." The debate centered on his appearance, particularly his "expressive eyes" and the fact that he lacked the wild, chaotic energy of other successful MLB mascots.

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However, the organization stood by the design, explaining that Clark was specifically created based on fan surveys and focus groups that indicated a strong desire for a mascot to enhance the family experience at the ballpark. The goal was not to appeal to the grizzled veteran fan, but to the next generation of Cubs supporters, and in this regard, Clark has been a resounding success.

Clark's Rise to Popularity and Modern Impact

Despite the initial pushback, Clark the Cub has firmly established himself as a beloved figure in the Cubs community. His success is measured not just by fan acceptance but by his integration into the team's brand and his presence during the team's most historic moments.

The Mascot of a Championship Era

Clark’s debut coincided with the beginning of a transformative era for the Cubs franchise. Just two years after his introduction, the Cubs broke their 108-year World Series drought in 2016. While Clark was not allowed on the field during the actual game, his presence during the celebratory parades, community events, and the overall atmosphere of the team’s renaissance cemented his place in Cubs lore. He is now inextricably linked to the team's first championship since 1908.

Recent Trivia and Accolades

In the years since his debut, Clark has become a fixture in the MLB mascot landscape. His popularity is evident in his constant presence in community events, school visits, and his active social media engagement. Interestingly, a recent analysis in 2024 named the Chicago Cubs mascot as one of the most popular in MLB, yet also one of the "scariest" due to his unique, slightly unsettling expressive eyes, a fun piece of trivia that shows the enduring, complex reaction to his design.

Clark the Cub represents the Cubs' successful effort to modernize their image while still honoring their history. By naming him after Clark Street and connecting his backstory to the live bear Joa from 1916, the team bridged a century-long gap, ensuring that the friendly face of the franchise is rooted deeply in the tradition and physical location of Wrigley Field.