It took a three to one series deficit, seven games, extra innings and a rain delay but the lovable losers finally did it. The Chicago Cubs are World Champions for the first time in over a century. They have been through it all collapsing in 1969, 1984 and 2003 cursed by black cats, a billy goat, and Steve Bartman.
“If you want to believe in that kind of stuff, it’s going to hold you back for a long time.I love tradition. I think tradition is worth time mentally, and tradition is worth being upheld. But curses and superstitions are not,” Cubs Manager Joe Maddon said.
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But their young core of Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Addison Russell and Anthony Rizzo combined with savvy veteran leadership from Davis Ross, Jon Lester, and Jason Heyward was the best team in baseball the entire season and proved it on the biggest stage of them all.
Chicago didn't let the moment get too big for them as it looked like the 108-year curse would continue as closer Aroldis Chapman allowed a two-run home run to Rajai Davis tie the game at six. Chapman redeemed himself in the ninth inning sitting the Indians back to the dugout in order.
A rain delay after the ninth inning rebooted them and they went on to score two runs in the 10th inning to take a commanding 8-6 lead on Ben Zobrist double, the World Series MVP and single by Miguel Montero.
"The best rain delay of all time," Anthony Rizzo said.
The drama wasn’t over as the Indians would score one more run on a single from Davis. Reliever Mike Montgomery would come in for the final out. Michael Martinez hit a slow rolling ball toward cubs third basemen Kris Bryant who scooped it before making a perfect throw across the diamond to first baseman Anthony Rizzo for out to end the drought.
“It was like a heavyweight fight, man. Just blow for blow, everybody playing their heart out. The Indians never gave up, either, and I can’t believe we’re finally standing, after 108 years, finally able to hoist the trophy,” Zobrist said.
A game that was played in Cleveland felt like Chicago after the final out Cubs fans took the stadium over waving their W flags and singing their victory anthem “Go Cubs Go” after seeing their first Championship victory in their lifetime.
Ten Things That Happened During the 108 Year Wait
- The United States fought in two World Wars
- Fourteen teams were added to Major League Baseball
- Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in MLB
- Man landed on the moon
- Sixteen Presidents were elected
- The NFL, NBA, and NHL were created
- Wrigley Field was built
- New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii were added as States
- Pre-sliced bread was created
- The New York Yankees won the World Series 27 times
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