History and Legacy of the Iconic Chicago Cubs W Flag T-Shirt

The History of the W Tshirt

The W tshirt has become an iconic symbol of the Chicago Cubs baseball team and its devoted fanbase. The origins of the W flag and W tshirt can be traced back to the 1940s and a local Chicago bar called the Billy Goat Tavern.

The Billy Goat Curse

As the legend goes, Billy Goat Tavern owner Billy Sianis brought his pet goat with him to attend game 4 of the 1945 World Series between the Cubs and the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field. However, then-Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley ejected Sianis and his goat from the stadium due to complaints about the smell of the animal. As he left, Sianis supposedly put a "curse" on the Cubs, vowing that they would never win another World Series again. The Cubs ended up losing that World Series and did not win another championship for over 70 years.

The W Flag is Born

In the late 1940s, just a few years after Sianis' infamous curse, the Billy Goat Tavern began flying a white flag with a blue W (for the "win") over the tavern during Cubs game days. This new W flag became a symbol of Cubs fans' perpetual hope and optimism that their beloved team could overcome adversity to finally win games and championships again.

A Fan Movement Emerges

Over the next few decades, the W flag started being adopted by more Cubs fans and even local businesses around the Wrigleyville neighborhood. Hanging the W flag demonstrated unity, loyalty and an irrepressible hope that the Cubs' fortunes could change. Through even the toughest losing seasons, Cubs fans persisted in flying that white flag to cheer their team on to victory.

The W Flag Goes Mainstream

In the 1980s, comedian Bill Murray helped popularize the W flag even further when he hung a large version from the outfield flagpoles at Wrigley during an episode of his popular film Stripes. Murray's love for the Cubs made him an unofficial mascot embraced by fans and his prominent display of the obscure W flag introduced it to wider audiences.

Lovable Losers Connect with Underdog Flag

As the Cubs' championship drought continued into the 21st century, the team built a reputation as "lovable losers" and their long-suffering fans likewise grew renowned for their undying optimism in the face of loss after loss. This underdog identity perfectly aligned with the scrappy, DIY ethos of the W flag.

W Merchandise Takes Over Wrigleyville

It did not take long for Wrigleyville bars and shops to start cashing in on the W flag movement, churning out all varieties of merchandise bearing the iconic logo. W tshirts, hats, sweatshirts, flags, banners, signs, and other souvenirs became ubiquitous inside and around the Friendly Confines.

The Cubs' World Series Win

When the heavily favored Cubs faced a 3-1 series deficit against the Cleveland Indians in the 2016 World Series, fans doubled down on displaying the W to will their team to an improbable comeback. After a momentum-shifting, extra-innings rain delay in game 7, the Cubs emerged to secure an unforgettable victory, finally breaking Billy Sianis' 71-year-old curse.

W Merch Goes Bananas

In 2016 and 2017, demand for W merchandise skyrocketed to unprecedented levels with fans around the globe wanting to own a piece of the Cubs' long-awaited championship. Seemingly endless variations of shirts, jerseys, flags and collectibles featuring that iconic W logo flew off the shelves.

Everyone is a Cubs Fan Now

In the aftermath of the dramatic 2016 World Series win, the Cubs transformed from "lovable losers" to one of baseball's most popular and recognizable franchises. Their incredible underdog story, charismatic young stars like Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, and the team's century-long quest to win a title made them the ultimate bandwagon team drawing fans outside their normal Midwestern demographic.

The Legacy of the W Flag

Today, the W flag remains a prominent Rally flag symbolizing the Cubs fandom everywhere. Its meaning has evolved from representingundefeated optimism to now signifying the team's historic 2016 championship as well. Fans continue to flaunt W gear like badges of honor cementing their identity through years of loyalty leading up to the breakthrough World Series victory.

Bleacher Bums Bond Over the W

From the famed Wrigley Field bleacher section to local taverns around Chicago, the prominent display of the W remains a way for diehard Cubs fans to connect over their shared history cheering on the team in good times and bad.

A Global Brand

While it originated as a humble tavern flag in the 1940s, the W logo now epitomizes Cubs baseball for supporters around the world. It embodies the storied history of the club and symbolizes the passion of its global fanbase. The trademark blue W lets Cubs backers everywhere broadcast their pride and find kinship with other members of the Cubs nation

No matter if you are a longtime, bleed Cubbie-blue fan who stood by the team since 1908 or a new supporter brought in by the 2016 title, by donning the iconic W flag logo, you signify that you are part of a special community that has finally earned the right to call itself World Champions.

FAQs

Where did the W flag originate from?

The origins of the iconic Cubs W flag can be traced back to the late 1940s at a popular Chicago bar called the Billy Goat Tavern. The tavern began flying a white flag with a blue W to represent a "win" for the Cubs during game days. This DIY flag became a symbol of optimism for the team despite a supposed curse placed on them during the 1945 World Series.

When did W merchandise become popular?

While the W flag first emerged in the 1940s, W merchandise did not become massively popular until the Cubs ended their 108-year championship drought by winning the 2016 World Series. Following this long-awaited win, demand for shirts, hats and other gear bearing the W logo skyrocketed around the world.

Where besides Wrigleyville can you buy W shirts?

In the years since 2016, the market for Cubs W merchandise has expanded globally. While stores around Wrigleyville remain a top source for shirts and souvenirs, you can now find authorized W gear being sold by major retailers like Nike, Forever 21 and Walmart thanks to licensing deals with MLB.

What does the W logo represent?

To longtime Cubs fans, the W logo represents undying optimism and loyalty inherited through generations rooting for the lovable losers. For newer fans post-2016, it is seen as a badge of honor symbolizing the team's historic drought-busting World Series victory that made the formerly obscure W flag logo iconic.