My Cubs Game Programs Collection is Finally Complete!

I started collecting Cubs game programs almost four year ago.  The collection starts in 1982, when the new Tribune ownership began selling game programs in addition to the traditional scorecard.  Over the years there were from two to four programs for each season.  That changed in 2010 when the large programs were replaced by smaller Scorecard Extras that were issued monthly.  

My collection consists of all the programs from 1982 through 2009 and just one of the monthly issues from each 2010 - 2019.  There were no programs in 2020 since there were no fans at the games.  Any type of game program disappeared post-pandemic.  I also have a program sold at each post-season series.

It comes to a total of 127 different programs.  I picked up my 126th back in December, 2022, and since then I've been checking eBay daily for the missing one, 1990's #1 with Mark Grace on the cover.

Look what was finally listed!

There it is!  The 127th and final program for my collection.  I'm still puzzled as to why this was so hard to find.  The other three from 1990 were not difficult to find at all.  Coming off of a division title in 1989, the Cubs drew their second highest attendance total in team history.  Plenty of these were sold.  I guess no one wanted to part with it.

Here's a look at all of the programs from 1990.  There were five since the Cubs hosted the All-Star game that season.  

By the way, that is the last time the All-Star game was at Wrigley Field.  The current span of 34 years without the game is ridiculously long. Eight teams have hosted two games since then: Rangers, Braves, Cleveland, Rockies, Phillies, Pirates, Padres, and Mariners.  The 2025 and 2026 games are already booked in other cities, so 2027 is the earliest it can be held at Wrigley.  That is shamefully too long to wait!