Question: when did the chicago cubs become the cubs
Answer: Chicago Cubs 2017 Chicago Cubs season Established in 1876 Team logo Cap insignia Major league affiliations National League ( 1876 -- present ) Central Division ( 1994 -- present ) East Division ( 1969 -- 1993 ) Current uniform Retired numbers 10 14 23 26 31 31 42 Colors Blue , red , white Name Chicago Cubs ( 1903 -- present ) Chicago White Stockings ( NL ) ( 1876 -- 1889 ) Chicago Colts ( 1890 -- 1897 ) Chicago Orphans ( 1898 -- 1902 ) Other nicknames The Cubbies , the North Siders , the North Side Nine , the Boys in Blue , the Lovable Losers , the Little Bears , the Blue Bears , the Baby Bears Ballpark Wrigley Field ( 1916 -- present ) a.