1908 Chicago Cubs Scary Bear Mascot

This creepy Chicago Cubs scary bear mascot is not really an official mascot at all. In fact, picture this. It’s July 10, 1908, at West Side Park. The Cubs play the Philadelphia Athletics on a really hot, muggy summer day. Before the game, an understudy from downtown’s Studebaker Theatre play, “Top O’ the World,” somehow arranges a scary photo op with some of the players. Shocking as it may be, he’s dressed as a polar bear. The show features lots actors in animal costumes. And this one is probably in dire need of a cool glass of lemonade. Interestingly, the lead actor in the show is one Arthur Hill. He is famous for his portrayal of the Cowardly Lion in the original 1902 stage production of Wizard of Oz.

This team, winners of the 1907 World Series, would go on to win again in 1908, defeating the Detroit Tigers in five games. And without a doubt, this Chicago Cubs scary bear mascot team photo features several great baseball players. From left to right, there is Jimmy Sheckard, Frank Schulte, Jimmy Slagle, Heinie Zimmerman, Joe Tinker (HOF 1946, SS, 1902-16), Carl Lundgren, Kid Durbin, The Polar Bear, Frank Chance (HOF 1946, 1B, 1898-1914), Del Howard, Johnny Evers (HOF 1946, 2B, 1902-17, 1922, 1929 ), Harry Steinfeldt and Orval Overall. The “HOF” indicates the player is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. And, in this case, each was selected by the Veterans Committee.

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