The Chicago Cubs are adding three more names to their Hall of Fame this year, and each one brings a unique chapter of Cubs history to life. During the Opening Ceremony of Cubs Convention, Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts announced that former catcher Jody Davis, pitcher Jon Lester, and longtime broadcaster Vince Lloyd will be inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame in 2026. For Lloyd, the honor comes with an added distinction: the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing individuals whose contributions to the Cubs spanned decades and left a lasting legacy.
The timing couldn’t be more fitting. As the Cubs celebrate their 150th anniversary, this Hall of Fame class represents three distinct eras of the franchise-each with its own impact on generations of fans.
Jody Davis: The Backbone of the '84 Cubs
If you were a Cubs fan in the 1980s, chances are Jody Davis was one of your guys. The durable catcher was a fixture behind the plate from 1981 to 1988, catching nearly every day with a gritty, no-nonsense style that made him a fan favorite.
In 1984, Davis helped lead the Cubs to the National League East title, a season that still holds a special place in franchise lore. That year, he hit .256 with 19 home runs and 94 RBIs, earning an All-Star nod and becoming a key figure in one of the most memorable Cubs teams of the modern era.
Known for his toughness and power, Davis hit 129 home runs during his Cubs tenure and was selected to the All-Star Game twice (1984, 1986). He wasn’t just a steady presence on the field-he was a symbol of resilience and consistency during a transformative time for the club.
Jon Lester: The Turning Point
When the Cubs signed Jon Lester in December of 2014, it wasn’t just a free-agent acquisition-it was a statement of intent. Lester arrived with two World Series rings and a reputation as one of the game’s fiercest competitors.
From the moment he joined the team, the tone shifted. This was no longer a rebuild.
This was a team ready to win.
Lester’s impact was immediate. In 2015, he helped guide the Cubs to the NLCS, and a year later, he delivered one of the most clutch performances in franchise history.
In Game 5 of the 2016 World Series, with the Cubs on the brink of elimination, Lester threw six gutsy innings to earn the win and keep the dream alive. The rest, as they say, is history.
Over six seasons with the Cubs, Lester was a two-time All-Star (2016, 2018), the co-MVP of the 2016 NLCS, and the anchor of a pitching staff that brought a championship to Wrigley Field for the first time in 108 years. His signing is widely regarded as one of the greatest free-agent moves in Chicago sports history-and for good reason.
Vince Lloyd: The Voice of Summer
Long before games were streamed on phones or watched in high-def, Vince Lloyd was the voice that brought Cubs baseball into living rooms across the country. Over 34 seasons as a Cubs broadcaster, Lloyd called more than 6,000 major league games, including 5,000 for the Cubs, and became a beloved figure in the Chicago sports landscape.
He began his Cubs broadcasting journey on WGN-TV in 1950, teaming up with Jack Brickhouse during the early days of televised baseball. In 1965, he transitioned to radio and spent the next two decades as the play-by-play man on WGN-AM, often alongside Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau. Together, they narrated some of the most iconic moments in Cubs history, including the magical seasons of 1969 and 1984.
Lloyd was known for his signature call-“**Holy Mackerel! **”-and for ringing a bell after every Cubs home run, a tradition that endeared him to fans of all ages.
A former U.S. Marine, Lloyd brought passion, professionalism, and a deep love for the game to every broadcast.
He passed away in 2003, and his posthumous induction, along with the new Lifetime Achievement Award, is a fitting tribute to a man who was more than just a broadcaster-he was family to generations of Cubs fans.
Honoring the Legacy
With these three additions, the Cubs Hall of Fame now includes 68 plaques, each representing individuals who helped shape the identity of the franchise-on the field, in the dugout, behind the mic, and in the front office. Located in the bleacher concourse under left field at Wrigley, the Hall of Fame has become a must-visit for fans since its reintroduction in 2021.
It also connects the dots between the original Cubs Hall of Fame (1982-86), the Cubs Walk of Fame (1992-98), and the current iteration-creating a living, breathing tribute to the people who’ve made Cubs baseball what it is today.
As the organization celebrates 150 years of history, the 2026 Hall of Fame class reminds us that greatness comes in many forms: a catcher who never backed down, a pitcher who changed the course of a franchise, and a broadcaster whose voice became the soundtrack of summer.