Cubs Win Flag

{{multiple image

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| footer = Navy SEAL parachutes onto Wrigley Field with a Win Flag (2008-08-08)

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| image1 = 20080808 Navy Seal Parachutes onto Wrigley Field.jpg

| image2 = 20080808 Navy Seal Parachutes onto Wrigley Field2.jpg

| image3 = 20080808 Navy Seal Parachutes onto Wrigley Field3.jpg

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Flying a flag over Wrigley Field to denote wins and losses is a longstanding tradition.{{cite web|url=http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/ballpark/index.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070209181445/http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/ballpark/index.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2007|title=Wrigley Field History|access-date=September 24, 2008|publisher=MLB Advanced Media, L.P. |work=Official Site of the Chicago Cubs}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/nhl/DOE_dedesignations/wrigley.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824000728/http://www.nps.gov/nhl/DOE_dedesignations/wrigley.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 24, 2007|title=Wrigley Field: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois|access-date=September 30, 2008|publisher=National Park Service}} Currently, the Win Flag is composed of a large blue letter "W" on a white background while the Loss Flag is a large white letter "L" on a blue background.{{cite book|title=1997 Chicago Cubs Information Guide|page=6|publisher=Chicago National League Ball Club, Inc.|year=1997}} Early in the 21st century, the phrase "White flag time at Wrigley!" was used to explain that the Cubs had just won that day's home game.{{cite web|url=http://www.shortporch.com/Chicago_Cubs_Tickets.asp|title=Chicago Cubs|access-date=September 24, 2008|publisher=ShortPorch.com}} More recently, at least as early as the 2015 season, the Cubs have used the phrase "Fly the W!"; an accompanying social media hashtag "#FlyTheW" has been heavily promoted by the team and its fans.{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2015/10/celebrities_mets_players_go_crazy_on_twitter_after.html|title=Mets' Noah Syndergaard mocks Cubs' 'Fly the W' on Twitter after NLCS win|last=Curtis|first=Charles|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|date=October 22, 2015}} The flag is raised by a scoreboard crew member immediately after the completion of a game,{{cite book|title=101 Reason to Love the Cubs|author=Green, David|publisher=Stewart, Tabori & Chang|isbn=1-58479-499-2|page=[https://archive.org/details/101reasonstolove0000gree_g1y0/page/63 63]|year=2006|url=https://archive.org/details/101reasonstolove0000gree_g1y0/page/63}} and in the case of a doubleheader split, both flags are flown.

It is customary to fly flags from sunrise until sunset, unless they are directly illuminated.{{cite web|url=http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html|title=Flag Rules and Regulations|access-date=October 1, 2008|publisher=Independence Hall Association|work=USHistory.org}} At the beginning of each day, the cross-shaped "masthead" atop the center field scoreboard displays the American flag at the top, and three strands of flags bearing the colors and nicknames of each of the National League clubs, one strand per Division in order of that day's standings.{{cite book|title=Fields Of Dreams: A Guide to Visiting and Enjoying All 30 Major League Ballparks|url=https://archive.org/details/fieldsofdreamsgu00ahuj|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/fieldsofdreamsgu00ahuj/page/106 106]|quote=Wrigley Field flagpole national league.|publisher=Citadel Press|isbn=0-8065-2193-7|year=2001|author=Ahuja, Jay}} Immediately after the game, one of the strands of flags is lowered, and either the W or the L-lettered flag is raised in its place. The W-lettered flag is raised on the left field side of the board, above the blue light that also indicates a win. The L-lettered flag is raised on the right field side of the board, above the white light that indicates a loss. Once the Win or Loss Flag has been raised, the other flags are lowered and also stowed away inside the scoreboard.

{{multiple image

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| header = Chicago Cubs Fans celebrate with the Cubs Win flag

| image1 = 20080920 Cubs Win Flag at Ohio St. Beach.JPG

| caption1 = 2008 Cubs Fans while the magic number is 1. (2008-09-20)

| image2 = 20080708 Oversized Cubs Win Flag.jpg

| caption2 = Fans at Wrigley Field victory with oversized flag (2008-07-08)

| image3 = 20080426 Cubs First Win at Nationals Park.jpg

| caption3 = Fans at Chicago Cubs' first win at Nationals Park (2008-04-26)

| image4 = 20080824 Cubs Win flag along with American flag.jpg

| caption4 = Home display along with Flag of the United States (2008-08-24)

| image5 = 20070928 Cubs celebrate victory and fans show Cubs Win flags.jpg

| caption5 = 2007 Cubs and fans celebrate NL Central championship (2007-09-28)

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| image1 = Union Station during the Cubs 2016 World Series run IMG 6909.jpg

| caption1 = Large flags hanging in the Great Hall of the Chicago Union Station during the 2016 World Series

| image2 = 500 West Madison during the Cubs 2016 World Series runIMG 6434.jpg

| caption2 = Large flag in the foyer of 500 West Madison (home to the Ogilvie Transportation Center) during the 2016 World Series

| image3 = 2016 World Series CTA train at Howard 02.jpg

| caption3 = "L" train of the CTA with a flag-inspired livery to celebrate the Cubs 2016 World Series victory

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File:Cubs visit to the White House, Obama presented with 'W' flag (1) (cropped).jpg with an autographed flag during their visit to the White House to celebrate their 2016 World Series victory]]

The symbolism of the flag now serves a wide variety of purposes. It is commonly reproduced in {{convert|3|by|5|ft|m|adj=on}} dimensions,{{cite web|title=Wincraft Chicago Cubs Win 3' x 5' Flag|url=http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=66728956&cp=1452700.1921924|publisher=MLB.com|work=The Official Online Shop of the Chicago Cubs|date=October 8, 2015|access-date=October 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001030116/http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=66728956|archive-date=October 1, 2015|url-status=dead}} and car flag versions are also sold.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballflagsandpennants.com/chicago_cubs_car_flag_-_win_350_prd1.html|title=Chicago Cubs Car Flag - Win|access-date=September 24, 2008|publisher=Baseball Flags and Pennants Company and State Street Products, LLC|archive-date=October 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011073511/http://www.baseballflagsandpennants.com/chicago_cubs_car_flag_-_win_350_prd1.html|url-status=dead}} The flag is also available in {{convert|2|by|3|ft|m|adj=on}} dimension versions.{{cite web|url=http://www.cubworld.com/product/WFLAG5?META=bizrate-WFLAG5|title=Chicago Cubs 2' x 3' 'W' Banner Flag - Cubs Win! Cubs Win!|access-date=October 1, 2008|publisher=CubWorld.com}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The flag has become a celebratory symbol for Chicago Cubs fans who purchase reproductions and take them to games at home and on the road to show support. The fans wave them after victories at Wrigley Field,{{cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=123586BFDBBD49B0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Foam rules at Wrigley - Cubs, euphoric fans are bubbling over as they soak in 2nd straight division title |access-date=September 23, 2008|date=September 21, 2008|publisher=Newsbank|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author-link=Rick Telander|last=Telander|first=Rick}} and they hang them in the stands during playoff series. Some fans fly a win flag in place of or in addition to the Flag of the United States on days when the Cubs win.{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballzealot.com/cubs/cubs-win-flag-makes-my-day|title=Cubs Win Flag makes my day|access-date=September 23, 2009|date=May 10, 2008|publisher=The Baseball Zealot}} Since 1998, the flags have become ever more popular, with demand reaching a level where they are sold at Wrigley Field. In 2007, with the Cubs in playoff contention for the first time in 3 years, the Cubs' victory tune, Go Cubs Go! became more popular among the fans. Due to the song's growing popularity, after wins at home, Cubs TV broadcasters Len Kasper and Bob Brenly would have their microphones shut off, while the camera pans around the stadium to view the jubilant fans as Go Cubs Go! plays in the background. After fans discovered this, they started purchasing "W" flags and waving them after wins at home as an attempt to get on TV. However, in seasons when the Cubs are performing poorly the tradition has led to parody and satire, such as stories of the Cubs retiring the win flag due to signs of neglect.

While not having the popularity of the Win Flag, the Loss Flag has become increasingly popular with clubs who traditionally have rivalries with the Cubs, such as the St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, or Chicago White Sox. Fans of those teams wave the blue flag after their team defeats the Cubs at Busch Stadium or Rate Field. However, because of the enormous fan base that the Cubs hold, it is not uncommon to see fans at games on the road waving their "W" flags during Cubs wins on the road.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} Another of the Cubs' rivals, the Pittsburgh Pirates, actually co-opted the Cubs Win Flag for themselves by waving a Jolly Roger pirate flag after each Pirates win.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/10266390/pittsburgh-pirates-ditch-jolly-roger-logo | title=Pirates ditch Jolly Roger logo in favor of 'P' | date=January 9, 2014 }}

The flag is known by many names, with none being more prevalent than the rest, and may often be referred to by more than one name by the same manufacturer. "Chicago Cubs W Win Flag" is the name used on Amazon.com,{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Cubs-Win-Flag-Baseball/dp/B001CMGHR0|title=Chicago Cubs W Win Flag (Baseball 3x5')|access-date=October 1, 2008|publisher=Amazon.com, Inc.}} however the company also refers to the flag as Chicago Cubs 'W' Banner Flag in their marketplace section.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RRX3BY?smid=ABH1045956MJ8&|title=Chicago Cubs 'W' Banner Flag - Cubs Win! Cubs Win!|access-date=October 1, 2008|publisher=Amazon.com, Inc.}} CubWorld.com also refers to the flag by the name Chicago Cubs 'W' Banner Flag.{{cite web|url=http://www.cubworld.com/product/521/Chicago_Cubs_W_Banner_Flag__Cubs_Win_Cubs_Win.html|title=Chicago Cubs 'W' Banner Flag|access-date=October 1, 2008|work=CubWorld.com|archive-date=September 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921221035/http://www.cubworld.com/product/521/Chicago_Cubs_W_Banner_Flag__Cubs_Win_Cubs_Win.html|url-status=dead}} Other retailers use the names Cubs Win W Flag,{{cite web|url=http://www.usflags.com/productDetail.asp?ItemID=4484 |title=Cubs - Win W Flag |access-date=October 1, 2008 |publisher=Flags Unlimited, Inc. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019104209/http://www.usflags.com/productDetail.asp?ItemID=4484 |archive-date=October 19, 2007 }} Chicago Cubs Win 3' x 5' Flag,{{cite web|url=http://www.modells.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3262218|title=Wincraft Chicago Cubs Win 3' x 5' Flag|access-date=October 1, 2008|publisher=Modell's|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714110033/http://www.modells.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3262218|archive-date=July 14, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cbssportsstore.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3262218 |title=Wincraft Chicago Cubs Win 3' x 5' Flag |access-date=October 1, 2008 |work=CBSSports.com }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web|url=http://www.teamstore.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3262218|title=Wincraft Chicago Cubs Win 3' x 5' Flag|access-date=October 1, 2008|publisher=Teamstore.com}} Cubs W Flag,{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballflagsandpennants.com/cubs_w_flag_257_prd1.html|title=Cubs W Flag|access-date=October 1, 2008|publisher=Baseball Flags and Pennants Company and State Street Products, LLC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907053420/http://www.baseballflagsandpennants.com/cubs_w_flag_257_prd1.html|archive-date=September 7, 2008|url-status=dead}} or (Chicago Cubs) W Flag in the case of Sports Fan Warehouse.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsfanwarehouse.com/3208560342.html|title=Chicago Cubs 3x5 Flag - W Flag|access-date=October 1, 2008|publisher=Sports Fan Warehouse, LLC|work=sportsfanwarehouse.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202070751/http://sportsfanwarehouse.com/3208560342.html|archive-date=December 2, 2010|url-status=dead}} One retailer even sells an item called the Chicago Cubs W Fan Banner.{{cite web|url=http://www.biggsports.com/servlet/the-96218/Detail?zmam=22551006&zmas=1&zmac=7&zmap=FBCUBW|title=Chicago Cubs W Fan Banner|access-date=October 1, 2008|publisher=BiggSports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707233758/http://www.biggsports.com/servlet/the-96218/Detail?zmam=22551006&zmas=1&zmac=7&zmap=FBCUBW|archive-date=July 7, 2011|url-status=dead}} Another retailer sells two versions of the flag listed as Chicago Cubs Win W Flag and Chicago Cubs Win Flag, yet its advertisements mentions celebrating a Cub win with the Chicago Cubs White "W" Flag.{{cite web |url=http://www.heartlandflagpoles.com/Sports-Flags/Chicago-Cubs/Grommets-MLB-Chicago-Cubs-Win-W-Flag-3x5;jsessionid=0a01034d1f430af7d02995c9456fab92a9481e259fe0.e3eSbNmTb3mTe34Pa38Ta38Nchb0 |title=Grommets - MLB - Chicago Cubs Win W Flag-3x5 |access-date=October 1, 2008 |publisher=Heartland Flagpoles & Custom Flags |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711160409/http://www.heartlandflagpoles.com/Sports-Flags/Chicago-Cubs/Grommets-MLB-Chicago-Cubs-Win-W-Flag-3x5%3Bjsessionid%3D0a01034d1f430af7d02995c9456fab92a9481e259fe0.e3eSbNmTb3mTe34Pa38Ta38Nchb0 |archive-date=July 11, 2011 }} An alternate version that has the Chicago Cubs logo beneath the W can be found under the name Chicago Cubs Win W Banner.{{cite web |url=http://www.heartlandflagpoles.com/Sports-Flags/Chicago-Cubs/Banner-Flag-MLB-Chicago-Cubs-Win-W-Banner-27x37;jsessionid=0a01034d1f430af7d02995c9456fab92a9481e259fe0.e3eSbNmTb3mTe34Pa38Ta38Nchb0 |title=Banner Flag - MLB - Chicago Cubs Win W Banner-27x37 |access-date=October 1, 2008 |publisher=Heartland Flagpoles & Custom Flags |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711160525/http://www.heartlandflagpoles.com/Sports-Flags/Chicago-Cubs/Banner-Flag-MLB-Chicago-Cubs-Win-W-Banner-27x37%3Bjsessionid%3D0a01034d1f430af7d02995c9456fab92a9481e259fe0.e3eSbNmTb3mTe34Pa38Ta38Nchb0 |archive-date=July 11, 2011 }}

{{multiple image

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| footer = A special flag flying session occurred from April 24–29, 2008, when the Cubs franchise won their 10,000th game on April 23, 2008.

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| image1 = 10,000 Commemoration.jpg

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| caption1 = View outside Wrigley Field

| image2 = Cubs 10,000 Win flag from inside Wrigley.jpg

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| caption2 = View inside Wrigley Field

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The Cubs' then-owner Philip K. Wrigley ordered the reconstruction of the bleachers and the building of the manually operated scoreboard in 1937.{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1389.html|title=Wrigley Field|access-date=September 23, 2008|year=2005|publisher=Chicago Historical Society|encyclopedia=The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago|author=Brown, Richard H.}} The scoreboard's "masthead" was in place by 1938, displaying the American flag at the top and flags representing the eight clubs of the National League on the left and right strands of the masthead, four apiece.{{cite book|author=Hartell, William|title=A Day at the Park: In Celebration of Wrigley Field|publisher=Sagamore Publishing|year=1994|pages=15–17|isbn=978-1-885758-03-3}} In the 1940s, the practice of raising the Win/Loss flags was begun.

The flags were originally a white "W" on a blue flag and a blue "L" on a white flag. This matched what was then the color scheme of the Cubs "team flags" that flew on the foul poles, and the many little "W.F." flags that flew on the grandstand roof (all of them serving to give the players a sense of the wind speed and direction). Ernie Banks was the first Cub to have his number retired on August 22, 1982,{{Cite journal|title=Cubs Journal|last=Snyder}} and his number 14 has been flown in blue on a white flag (echoing the pattern of a Cubs home uniform shirt) on the left field foul pole ever since. On August 13, 1987, Billy Williams had his number retired and it flew with the same color scheme, on the right field foul pole. The scheme of the Cubs Win flag was reversed in the early 1980s. The change in the flag color scheme matched the Win flag color with the honored colors of the retired number flags, as the white-on-blue Cubs "team flag" was retired. Subsequent retired Cubs numbers for Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg and Ferguson Jenkins/Greg Maddux also match this color scheme.

In addition to the flags, Wrigley authorized Bill Veeck, the leader of the bleacher reconstruction project, to add colored lights on the crossbar of the masthead so that the Chicago 'L' passengers would be able to see the outcome of Cubs home games after sunset. In his autobiography, Veeck remembered the colors as green for a win and red for a loss. Hartell's book acknowledges Veeck's comments, but reports that contemporary newspapers stated that the colors of the lights were blue and white, as they are now. Eventually the original lights on the masthead were replaced by lights directly on the top of scoreboard, still visible from outside Wrigley field.{{cite book|title=Wrigley Field: The Unauthorized Biography|last=Shea|first=Stuart|isbn=1-57488-941-9|publisher=Potomac Books Inc.|year=2006|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zKsiH8vEC2MC&q=Wrigley+Field+scoreboard+lights+blue+white&pg=PA168}} The lights complement the flags by helping night time passersby learn the result of that day's Cubs game at a glance. The current blue and white Win/Loss lights were added atop the scoreboard in 1978. The Cubs added a video replay board in left field, topped with the logo of Chicago-area bank Wintrust. The "W" in Wintrust flashes after every win.

File:Fans Celebrate as Chicago Cubs End Championship Drought.webm. Video from Voice of America.]]

On April 23, 2008, the Cubs won for the 10,000th time in the history of the franchise on the road against the Colorado Rockies.{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280423127|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103095358/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280423127|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 3, 2013|title=Theriot lifts Cubs in 10 for franchise's 10,000th win|access-date=September 23, 2008|date=April 23, 2008|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures}} Like the 9,000th win, the 10,000th win came in a 7–6 victory at Coors Field. The Cubs were the second franchise to achieve 10,000 regular season wins; the San Francisco Giants/New York Giants were the first. The franchise flew a special 10,000th win flag along with a Cubs Win flag to commemorate the landmark achievement for the franchise. This was unusual not just for the 10,000th win, but also for flying the flag in reference to a road game. The special flag flew from the afternoon of April 24, 2008, until immediately prior to the next home game on April 29, 2008, at 7:05pm against the Milwaukee Brewers. After the flag was taken down, it was autographed by all members of the 2008 Chicago Cubs and auctioned off for charity.{{cite web|url=http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080424&content_id=2579322&vkey=pr_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc|title=Cubs to raise flag in honor of 10,000th franchise win: Flag commemorating historic win to be signed and auctioned to benefit Cubs Care|access-date=September 23, 2008|date=April 24, 2008|publisher=MLB Advanced Media, L.P.|work=MLB.com|archive-date=June 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628015144/http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080424&content_id=2579322&vkey=pr_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc|url-status=dead}}

• {{cite book|title=Wrigley Field: The Unauthorized Biography|last=Shea|first=Stuart|isbn=1-57488-941-9|publisher=Potomac Books Inc.|year=2006|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zKsiH8vEC2MC&q=Wrigley+Field+scoreboard+lights+blue+white&pg=PA168}}
• {{cite book|title=Cubs Journal|last=Snyder|first=John|publisher=Emmis Books|year=2005|isbn=1-57860-192-4}}

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