145-year chain of Cubs pitchers and catchers By JohnW53 on Dec 21, 2020, 5:59am CST + Or fascinating. I lean toward fascinating: There is a nearly unbroken chain of pitchers and catchers from the Cubs' first National League game in 1876 all the way to the last week of the 2020 schedule. ... This incredible chain consists not just of a pitcher and catcher who were ON the team in the same season. It consists of a pitcher and catcher who were on the field together in the LAST GAME either the pitcher or catcher played for the Cubs, under their team's various names, through 145 seasons!