The 108 Year Drought Finally Comes to an End

Remember when the Titanic still had not sunk, the Great Depression had not happened, and World War 2 hasn’t even been fought? The Chicago Cubs sure do, 1908 was the last time they had won the World Series. That drought finally came to an end with the 8 to 7 Game 7 win they got November 02, 2016.

The World Series started off on Tuesday, October 25, 2016. The Cleveland Indians were just coming off from beating the Toronto Blue Jays four games to one, meanwhile; the Chicago Cubs had a major comeback versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, beating them four games to two after being down in the series two games to one.

Both teams had their fair share of time being out and winning the World Series. The last time the Indians went to the World Series was in 1997, where they fell short to the Florida Marlins in Game 7 losing 3 to 2 in extra innings(ironically they also lost this World Series in Game 7 in extra innings). The last time they had won a World Series was in 1948, they had beaten the Boston Braves in Game 6, 4 to 3.

On the other side, the Chicago Cubs had not been to a World Series since 1945, where they ended up losing in Game 7 to the Detroit Tigers, 9 to 3. The last time the Chicago Cubs had won a World Series was in 1908 where they beat the Detroit Tigers in Game 5, 2 to 0. The Chicago Cubs had become back to back World Series Champions, winning in 1907 versus the Detroit Tigers once again in Game 5, 2-0.

The 2016 World Series started off with a bang in Cleveland(started in Cleveland due to the fact the American League beat the National League during the All Star Game 4 to 2 on July 12, 2016), with the Cleveland Indians winning 6 to 0. Corey Kluber had started off the game for the Indians, lasting 6 innings and striking out 9 while allowing only 4 hits. Jon Lester was the pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, lasting 5.2 innings allowing 6 hits, 3 runs, 1 home run, 3 walks, and striking out 7.

Game 2 was in the favor of the Chicago Cubs, winning 5 to 1. Jake Arrieta was the pitcher of the Cubs, lasting 5.2 inning, allowing 2 hits, 1 earned run, 3 walks and 6 strikeouts. On the other hand, Trevor Bauer pitched for the Cleveland Indians, lasting 3.2 inning, allowing 6 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.

Game 3 is where the Cleveland Indians took the upper hand, winning 1-0. Josh Tomlin pitched for 4.2 innings, 2 hits, 0 earned runs, 1 walk and 1 strikeout for the Indians. The Cubs had their ace on the mound, Kyle Hendricks, who lasted 4.1 innings, allowed 6 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts.

Game 4 would be the last victory in the series for the Cleveland Indians, 7 to 2. Corey Kluber took the mound once again, lasting 6 innings, and allowing 5 hits, an earned run, a walk, and striking out 6 batters. Cubs has the veteran John Lackey taking the mound. He stood in the game for 5 innings, allowing 4 hits, an earned run, a walk, and 6 strikeouts.

At this point, a lot of people are thinking the Indians were gonna take the championship title, but oh boy were the doubters wrong. Trevor Bauer and Jon Lester would go to take the stage on Game 5. Bauer going 4 innings, allowing 3 runs(1 home run) on 6 hits, walking none and striking out 7. Lester went 6 innings, allowing 2 runs(1 home run) on 4 hits, walking none and striking out 5.

3 games to 2, eh losing one game can not hurt right? The series heading back to Cleveland where the bullpen for the Indians is near impossible to stop, what could go wrong. But the Chicago Cubs weren’t leaving without a fight.

Game 6 would star Jake Arrieta and Josh Tomlin. Tomlin got roughed up early by the Cubs, going 2.1 innings, allowing 6 runs(1 home run) on 6 hits,walking one and not being able to strike out one batter. Arrieta had a better afternoon, going 5.2 innings, giving up 2 runs(1 home run) on 3 hits, walking 3 and striking out 9.

It all comes down to this, Game 7 with the title on the line, who was going to take it? The Tribe would be putting their best pitcher on the mound with short rest, Corey Kluber, meanwhile the Cubs would be starting their reliable pitcher, Kyle Hendricks. Kluber would go on to pitch 4 innings, allowing 4 runs(2 home runs) on 6 hits, walking and striking out none. Hendricks lasted 4 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, walking 1 and striking out 2 as the Cubs would go on to win it 8 to 7 in 10 innings.

There are no words to explain what just went on, both teams in disbelief. The Indians had just blown a 3 games to 1 lead, and the Chicago Cubs had just won 3 in a row to win the World Series(something they had not accomplished in 108 years). Fate had certainly changed this year.

As Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer stated, “There was no outrageous individual achievement, no obvious MVP, no one player who carried Chicago to a title”. Though it was a team effort that carried the team, there was no greater moment than when Ben Zobrist hit the ball past third baseman Jose Ramirez to bring Anthony Rizzo to take the lead in the 10th. This moment led to Zobrist being named the Most Valuable Player of the 2016 World Series.