The 1996 Chicago Cubs season was highlighted by several individual achievements and a competitive spirit that kept the team in the wild card hunt into the final week of the season. Under manager Jim Riggleman, the club finished with a 76-86 record, showing resilience by posting winning records in July, August, and September. Fans at Wrigley Field enjoyed the exciting play of stars like Sammy Sosa and Brian McRae, along with a promising young pitching rotation that provided hope for the franchise's future. A seven-time All-Star and the 1998 NL MVP, Sammy Sosa is a legendary Chicago Cubs outfielder who became the first player in MLB history to record three seasons with at least 60 home runs.