Picture this: It is the year 1948, America is still celebrating its victories in World War II and most modern Americans do not have televisions yet. This was the United States the last time the Cleveland Indians won the World Series. Now go back even further. The year is 1908, automobiles in the United States have not yet been mass produced, and the Great Depression as well as both World Wars are yet to happen. This was the United States the last time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series. After the dominance of both of these teams throughout the 2016 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, it only seemed fitting that they would meet in the Fall Classic this November, both looking to break the two longest championship droughts in baseball.
Over the last several years, through the accumulation of high priced free agents like Jason Heyward, John Lester, Ben Zobrist and the rise in superstars Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, the Cubs had been World Series favorites since spring training. However, almost no one expected their opponent to make it this far, with a playoff appearance not even a guarantee for the Indians. But with a strong pitching staff and dominant bullpen, the Indians were able to mainly steamroll the American League (AL) during the playoffs to make it to the World Series.
Long suffering Cleveland sports fan sophomore Tommy Richetti was ecstatic to see his team make it to November baseball.
“Their pitching rotation and players like [Francisco] Lindor and Coco Crisp [are] playing better than expected,” Richetti said.
Despite the Indians lack of offensive star power like the Cubs, the dependability of several key veterans and a reliance on a strong pitching staff were the ingredients for this postseason run. With a pitching staff that includes ace Corey Kluber, it was intriguing to see at times during the playoffs he was not even the Indians’ best pitcher. The true backbone of the pitching staff and the team overall was reliever Andrew Miller. Even though he did not join the Indians till mid season when they swung a trade with the New York Yankees to acquire him, he immediately stepped in and became the go-to guy in the bullpen when the going got tough for the Indians. Named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the American League Championship Series (ALCS), Miller struck out 14 batters, which broke the ALCS record for relievers. Miller’s dominance continued through the World Series and became manager Terry Francona’s most valuable asset as he pitched almost every game.
“The Cubs are a more complete team that spent a lot more money on getting players but the Indians have an outstanding manager and pitching staff,” Richetti said.
Francona’s brilliance as a manager has led to an utter domination in the World Series. Despite the tenacity of the Indians, in the end, it was the resiliency of the Cubs that prevailed.
In 1945, legend has it that local business owner William Sianis brought his pet goat to Game 4 of the World Series which the Cubs were playing in. When fans began to complain about the goat’s smell, he was asked to leave the game. As he leaving the stadium, he was heard saying “Them Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more”. This Curse of the Billy Goat was one of many supposed curses to happen to the Cubs in the last 108 seasons since their last World Series win in 1908. However, November 2, 2016 will go down in history as one of baseball’s and sports’ greatest moments. After 108 seasons, the Chicago Cubs finally won the World Series. This win was the culmination of several years of planning, beginning in 2011 when Theo Epstein became the Cubs’ team President. Hiring Joe Maddon as the general manager in 2015 was only part of Epstein’s master plan that finally came into place, finishing with a World Series win.
“I think that Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo have had a big impact for the Cubs, and might finish first and second in the MVP voting because they really carried the team’s offense this year. I think that Jake Arrieta pitched really well and picking up Aroldis Chapman was definitely a good trade, too,” freshman fan Sarah Roberts said.
Despite all of these moves made to form a near dominant lineup, the Cubs’ superstars began to falter on baseball’s biggest stage. Great Indian pitching combined with an offensive ineptitude led to the Cubs going down 3-1 in the best of seven series.
“That’s huge mentally to be down 3-1…. I think having the resilience to come back down 3-1 comes from the veteran leaders on the team and the coaching staff,” teacher and lifetime Cubs fan Rachel Tarr said.
Despite the adversity, with their backs against the wall, the Cubs played their best baseball yet. The Cubs won games five and six behind strong pitching and a grand slam by Addison Russell but, in game seven, with the Cubs nursing a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, the wheels almost came off. After a one run double, the stage was set for one of the most dramatic moments in recent World Series history. On a two out, two strike pitch, veteran Rajai Davis hit a two run homerun to left field, tying the game. Many thought that this would just be vintage Cubs, blowing a postseason game on the biggest stage. But, these Cubs had some resiliency. Following a scoreless ninth inning and a 17 minute rain delay, a Zobrist double and Miguel Montero single proved to be the deciding runs in this stunning 8-7 victory.
“The Cubs hadn’t been to the World Series in multiple generations and have had major collapses in their playoff history. They’ve never been the forgotten team and always have a devoted fan base win or lose. I think this win unites the city (South Siders might think differently) and gives everyone hope- if the Cubs can win after 108 years anything is possible,” Tarr said.
For Cubs fans all around the world, this marks a moment that several generations of people never had the opportunity to witness, the Cubs winning the World Series. Labeled the lovable losers, they generated a following of supporters not only from Chicago, being one of sport history’s biggest underdogs. However, history changes, while the Cubs have broken their drought, the Indians still look to end their own. Regardless of the series’ final outcome, both teams have bright futures.
“With guys like Bryant, Rizzo, and Jon Lester playing for the Cubs, Chicago will definitely be dominating for these next few years,” Roberts said.
There is nothing in sports quite like the World Series, where anything can happen, even after a 108 year wait.
