Page "Chicago Cubs" Paragraph 17

In the following two decades after Sianis ' ill will, the Cubs played mostly forgettable baseball, finishing among the worst teams in the National League on an almost annual basis.

Longtime infielder / manager Phil Cavarretta, who had been a key player during the ' 45 season, was fired during spring training in 1954 after admitting the team was unlikely to finish above fifth place.

Although shortstop Ernie Banks would become one of the star players in the league during the next decade, finding help for him proved a difficult task, as quality players such as Hank Sauer were few and far between.

This, combined with poor ownership decisions ( such as the College of Coaches ), hampered on-field performance.