Several former Chicago Cubs managers make Hall of Fame ballot

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced the 2027 Contemporary Baseball Era ballot. This ballot includes four managers and four executives. Among them are former Chicago Cubs managers Joe Maddon, Lou Piniella, and Dusty Baker.

The Contemporary Baseball Era ballot features four managers and four executives for consideration in the Hall of Fame Class of 2027.

Results will be announced at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 6: https://t.co/ofvHWarX4I pic.twitter.com/xZ8WpqqgkZ

— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (@baseballhall) November 2, 2026

Inductees will be announced on December 6th, and at least one former Cubs skipper could reach Cooperstown in 2027. Ironically, the candidate whose credentials make him the front-runner on paper is likely the one Cubs fans are least eager to celebrate.

The legacies of three former Cubs managers

May 20, 2006; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker (12) argues with second base umpire Charlie Reliford (18) during the second inning at US Cellular Field in Chicago, IL. The Chicago White Sox defeated the Chicago Cubs 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports © Copyright 2006 Jerry Lai

If one polled the Cubs fanbase on which of these three was their favorite manager, the obvious winner would be Joe Maddon. Hard not to hail the manager who helped lead the franchise to its first championship in 108 years. Maddon was also the first Cubs manager to bring the team to the postseason in at least three consecutive years since Frank Chance in 1906-1908. However, he has the fewest wins (1,382) and the fewest years managed (19) of the three mentioned candidates.

Baker’s 2,183 wins (26 seasons) are the eighth most by a manager in MLB history. While he accomplished much in his career, Baker’s four years in Chicago aren’t remembered fondly. What started as an era of so much hope ended in controversy, between the 2003 NLCS collapse and the handling of pitchers Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. That said, he’s a safe bet to make the Hall of Fame.

Then in the middle sits the fiery “Sweet Lou” Piniella. He spent the last four of his 23 seasons as an MLB manager on the North Side and became the first Cubs manager post-1969 expansion to bring the franchise to back-to-back postseasons. One big blemish on his Cubs tenure is the 0-6 postseason record. Overall, as a manager, he posted 1,835 wins and should also be a Hall of Famer.

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