What Is 1972 Chicago Cubs baseball team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1972 Chicago Cubs finished the season with a 85–70 record, placing them third in the National League East under manager Whitey Lockman. They played 155 games due to a players' strike that canceled several early-season matchups.

Key Facts

The 1972 Chicago Cubs had an 85–70 record, finishing third in the NL East
The season began late due to a 13-day players' strike, shortening the schedule
Ron Santo led the team with 27 home runs and 97 RBIs
Ferguson Jenkins won 20 games, posting a 1.67 ERA over 15 starts after the strike
The Cubs played home games at Wrigley Field, drawing 1,439,208 fans

Overview

The 1972 Chicago Cubs season was marked by resilience and strong individual performances despite a delayed start due to a league-wide players' strike. The team adapted quickly after the 13-day work stoppage, finishing with a winning record and remaining competitive throughout the second half of the season.

Managed by Whitey Lockman for part of the year before he was replaced by Bobby Arnold, the Cubs showcased a balanced roster featuring standout pitching and consistent offensive production. Though they missed the postseason, their performance laid groundwork for future competitiveness in the mid-1970s.

Ron Santo led the team with 27 home runs and 97 RBIs, earning his fifth consecutive All-Star selection despite not being named to the official roster due to the shortened season.
Ferguson Jenkins anchored the rotation, finishing the year with 20 wins and a stellar 1.67 ERA over 15 starts after returning from suspension.
The Cubs played only 155 games instead of the usual 162 due to the April 1–13 players' strike, the first in MLB history over pension fund disputes.
Wrigley Field attendance reached 1,439,208, a significant increase from 1971, reflecting renewed fan interest despite no postseason appearance.
Outfielder Andre Dawson was not yet on the team; the core included Don Kessinger, Glenn Beckert, and Bill Madlock, who hit .303.

Performance & Roster Breakdown

The 1972 Cubs combined veteran leadership with emerging talent, creating a dynamic on-field presence throughout the abbreviated season. Key contributors spanned both the starting rotation and the everyday lineup, helping the team stay above .500 for most of the year.

Starting Rotation: Ferguson Jenkins led with 20 wins and 187 strikeouts, while Burt Hooton added 10 wins and a 3.07 ERA before injury.
Offensive Core: Bill Madlock batted .303 in 97 games, showing promise before being traded the following offseason.
Bullpen Usage: The Cubs relied heavily on closer Jim Johnson, who recorded 22 saves and posted a 2.45 ERA over 88 innings.
Defensive Strength: Shortstop Don Kessinger played all 155 games, committing only 18 errors and turning 87 double plays.
Injury Impact: Outfielder Randy Hundley missed 40 games with a knee injury, reducing catching depth and offensive flexibility.
Managerial Change: Whitey Lockman started the season but was replaced by Bobby Arnold in August after a 5–15 slump.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1972 Cubs compared closely with division rivals in win-loss record, run differential, and key statistics, as shown below:

Team	W–L Record	Run Differential	Home Runs	ERA
1972 Pittsburgh Pirates	86–70	+72	108	2.84
1972 St. Louis Cardinals	85–74	+35	97	3.10
1972 Chicago Cubs	85–70	+42	102	3.05
1972 New York Mets	83–73	+18	89	3.20
1972 Montreal Expos	70–89	–61	76	3.78

The Cubs ranked second in the division by winning percentage but missed the postseason due to the Pirates' slightly better record. Their run differential and home run total were among the best in the NL East, showing offensive and defensive balance. Despite strong individual stats, inconsistent late-season play under new management prevented a playoff push.

Why It Matters

The 1972 season was a transitional year that highlighted both the potential and limitations of the Cubs' roster during a turbulent time in baseball history. It marked one of the last competitive seasons before a rebuilding phase in the late 1970s.

The players' strike set a precedent for labor disputes, affecting scheduling and player compensation in future decades.
Ferguson Jenkins' performance solidified his status as one of the era's premier pitchers, contributing to his eventual 1991 Hall of Fame induction.
Ron Santo's leadership during a strike-shortened year emphasized his importance, later honored with a Cubs jersey retirement.
The attendance increase signaled growing fan engagement, paving the way for future marketing and broadcast deals at Wrigley Field.
Managerial instability in 1972 exposed organizational challenges that persisted into the late 1970s.
The season demonstrated that even non-playoff teams could achieve success, influencing how front offices evaluated long-term development.

Ultimately, the 1972 Chicago Cubs remain a footnote in franchise history, remembered for strong individual efforts and the broader impact of labor issues on the sport.