Steve Treder at The Hardball Times provides an interesting read on the 1961-65 Cubs:

In 1960, the team fell back from the modest fifth-place mediocrity it had managed to achieve in ’58 and ’59 to a dreadful seventh place finish, at 60-94 – their worst record since 1901. The following off-season, manager Lou Boudreau refused to sign Wrigley’s offer of a one-year contract, and held out for the security of a multi-year deal.

It was the last straw for Wrigley. He had had enough. Not only was he in no mood to give in to Boudreau’s demand, he was in no mood to deal with any other manager either. He was ready to try something new, something bold, something completely unprecedented. . . . read more

(HT: Old Style Cubs.)