White Stockings
Yes ... the Cubs began play in 1870 as the White Stockings. They changed their name to the Colts in 1890, Orphans in 1898, and Cubs in 1903.
Chicago White Stockings
When the National League began in 1876, the Cubs were known as the White Stockings.
In the early 1900's the Cubs were called the White Stockings, but when they reformed their team by letting go their aging stars a newspaper in the area called them the Cubs because of their young team and the name stuck.
They were originally named "The Chicago White Stockings" in the late 19th century, and their name changed from "White Stockings" to "Colts," to "Orphans" to eventually, "Cubs." The name was chosen from a naming contest in the newspaper. Copy this into your web browser: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_baseball_team_nicknames#Chicago_Cubs (Not coincidentally, the Chicago Bears, who hosted their games at Wrigley Field, named their team after the Cubs and were originally the "Chicago Staleys.")
The Boston Red Stockings changed their name to the Boston Red Caps for the 1876 season. The Chicago Cubs were known as the Chicago White Stockings in 1876. Click on the 'Boston Red Caps' and 'Chicago White Stockings' links on this page to see their rosters for the 1876 season.
They were originally named "The Chicago White Stockings" in the late 19th century, and their name changed from "White Stockings" to "Colts," to "Orphans" to eventually, "Cubs." The name was chosen from a naming contest in the newspaper. Copy this into your web browser: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_baseball_team_nicknames#Chicago_Cubs (Not coincidentally, the Chicago Bears, who hosted their games at Wrigley Field, named their team after the Cubs and were originally the "Chicago Staleys.")
As a franchise, the Chicago Cubs won their first game in 1870 as the Chicago White Stockings. The franchise came to be known as the Cubs in 1890, and recorded their first victory with that team name in that year.
There was an outfielder named Billy Sunday that played with the Cubs, then known as the White Stockings, between 1883-1887. FYI: There was an outfielder named Rick Monday that played with the Cubs between 1972-1976.
The Cubs became an MLB team in 1871 as a charter member of the National Association. They were known then as the Chicago White Stockings.
The Cub Scouts were launched in the US in 1930. They were started by the BSA, not any one individual.