Cubs introduce new mascot

— -- The Chicago Cubs listened to their fans and delivered something the franchise has lacked for most of its 138-year history. No, not a World Series championship, their previous being in 1908.

On Monday, the Cubs announced the first official mascot in their modern history -- Clark, a "young, friendly Cub" who wears a baseball cap backward and will greet fans as they enter Wrigley Field.

"The Cubs are thrilled to welcome Clark as the team's official mascot," Cubs senior director of marketing Alison Miller said in a statement. "Clark is a young, friendly Cub who can't wait to interact with our other young Cubs fans. He'll be a welcoming presence for families at Wrigley Field and an excellent ambassador for the team in the community."

As they prepared for a $300 million renovation of Wrigley Field, the Cubs partnered with Northwestern University to conduct a survey and found that there was a desire for the 100-year-old park to be more "family-friendly."

Clark, named after the Clark and Addison intersection where Wrigley is located, will be introduced during a charity appearance Monday night.

The Cubs say Clark's great-grandfather Joa was the franchise's original live Bears mascot in 1916.

The Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are now the only teams in Major League Baseball without official mascots.