The 1949 team advanced to the league championship series, falling in seven games to the Portland Pilots.
After the NEL folded in the autumn of 1949, Springfield received a franchise in the International League (IL) when the Newark Bears transferred there for 1950.
However, the Bears' parent team, the New York Yankees, did not follow, and Springfield retained its affiliation with the Chicago Cubs.
The Triple-A Springfield franchise drew over 200,000 fans in its maiden season, and just missed the playoffs, finishing fifth in the eight-team IL.
Future major league third baseman Randy Jackson won IL rookie of the year honors.