The Cubs were not a good team in 1994. They lost their first 14 home games and started the season 9-22, 12 games out of the top spot on May 11.
They then rebounded somewhat, posting a 39-34 streak from May 12 to August 1. That included a seven-game winning streak in late May—the most consecutive games the Cubs have ever won in 2024!—that included two walkoffs against the Giants.
Despite that fine 73-game streak, the Cubs never came anywhere close to first place in 1994. They then lost four straight games, won one game against the Padres and then three more against San Diego and San Francisco before taking the field for another game against the Giants on Wednesday afternoon, August 10.
Things weren’t going well. The Giants took a 3-0 lead after three innings against starter Willie Banks. The Cubs scored a run in the fifth inning, but two more runs by the Giants in the seventh inning against reliever Donn Pall decided the game, a 5-2 victory for San Francisco.
All of this happened in the context of collective bargaining negotiations that were in their last gasp. The contract between MLB and MLBPA had expired at the end of the 1993 season and the 1994 season was therefore played without an existing contract. This was the time before a strike date:
On June 14, in the middle of the season and coincidentally just as Cleveland was winning ten games in a row, the owners made their offer. It included more than $1 billion in guaranteed salaries and benefits, but in return the clubs would have to adjust their payroll, arbitration would no longer be possible, free agency would begin two years earlier and teams could keep players once in the fourth or fifth year by undercutting the highest offer.
At the time, the owners also withheld promised and demanded amounts that go toward player benefits and pensions. Even the Senate Judiciary Committee got involved and failed to approve the antitrust bill. The following month, MLBPA executive director Donald Fehr rejected the offer, warning that the players might go on strike.
Later in July, the players’ association met and set a date. When August came and no game was played, the reality of the situation became apparent. On August 11, the last game was scheduled to be played and the next day, the players began a strike.
And look who was significantly involved in these negotiations!
On the other side of the negotiating table, Rob Manfred, the commissioner, represents the owners. In 1994, Manfred worked for a law firm and advised the owners.
“It was a really difficult time for the game,” Manfred told the Times. “I think it was the only time in our modern history that the game actually took a step backwards.”
Well, Manfred was right. About a month later, when negotiations stalled, the 1994 World Series was canceled and the strike continued into early 1995. The owners’ threat to use replacement players was only ended by a court ruling. The 1995 season was shortened to 144 games.
Here’s a clip of sports highlights from the day, which includes some commentary from Mark Grace. This clip should be set to start with the Cubs portion; if not, scroll to 0:59:
The Cubs finished the year 49-64, and fans didn’t see a regular baseball game at Wrigley Field until April 28, 1995, when the Reds were delayed at home. Attendance dropped significantly and didn’t recover until 1998, when Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire hit home runs.
The last Cubs game before the most devastating labor dispute in baseball took place 30 years ago today. Wednesday, August 10, 1994.
