The 2021 season marked the Chicago Cubs' 150th franchise season and their 106th at Wrigley Field, but it ended in disappointment as they finished with a 71–91 record, placing fourth in the NL Central and missing the playoffs for only the second time since 2014. The season's defining moment came at the trade deadline, when the Cubs traded the core of their 2016 World Series championship team—Javier Báez, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rizzo—signaling the end of an era. The team also set an MLB record by using 69 different players during the season, reflecting the massive roster turnover. Off the field, Theo Epstein resigned as President of Baseball Operations, with Jed Hoyer taking over and signing a five-year extension, while the broadcast booth saw Jon "Boog" Sciambi replace Len Kasper and Beth Mowins become the first woman to call regular-season games for the Cubs. The season was also shaped by COVID-19 protocols, including seven-inning doubleheaders and extra-inning runners, and the offseason trade of pitcher Yu Darvish to the San Diego Padres.