How bad were the Cubs in 1948? They finished in last place, 27 ½ games out of first place. Their hitting was atrocious (fewest home runs, fewest walks), their pitching staff was brutal (fewest shutouts, second most walks), their speed was non-existent (fewest stolen bases), and their fielding was embarrassing (second worst in the league).

It must have been tough to watch, even for cheerful Jolly Cholly Grimm, the team's manager that year.

That must have been what inspired this painting from artist Norman Rockwell, which first appeared in the September 24, 1948 issue of the Saturday Evening Post.

The Cubs manager in this painting, the one in the middle who looks like his wife just left him, bears a remarkable likeness to Charlie Grimm. Grimm quit the following year.