where did cubs win world series in 2016
Curse of the Billy Goat


n't gonna win no more," which had been interpreted to mean that the Cubs would never win another National League (NL) pennant, at least for the remainder of Sianis's life. The Cubs lost the 1945 World Series to the Detroit Tigers, and did not win a World Series championship again until 2016. The Cubs had last won the World Series in 1908. After the incident with Sianis and Murphy, the Cubs did not play in the World Series for the next 71 years until, on the 46th
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Pat Hughes (sportscaster)


Harry Caray, Bob Uecker, and Al McGuire. Pat Hughes made Chicago Cubs history in the 2016 World Series. Since baseball broadcasting did not begin until the 1920s, and the Cubs previous World Title had been in 1908, Hughes became the first Cubs announcer ever to say "The Chicago Cubs win the World Series!" Here is Pat's final call of the 2016 World Series: "A little bouncer slowly toward Bryant. He will glove it and throw to Rizzo. It's in time! And the Chicago Cubs
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History of the Chicago Cubs


the Cubs owner saying that they would never win another Pennant or World Series. The Cubs lost game 4, and despite a heroic series by Cavarretta, lost the 1945 World Series in seven games. Although the Cubs occasionally appeared in post-season series since divisional play began in 1969, they did not appear in or win a World Series again until 2016. After the Curse of the Billy Goat, a few years into the post-World War II era, astute observers of the game began to suspect that something had
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Chicago Cubs


where they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games. This was their first NLCS win since the series was created in 1969. The win earned the Cubs their first World Series appearance since 1945 and a chance for their first World Series win since 1908. Coming back from a three-games-to-one deficit, the Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians in seven games in the 2016 World Series, They were the first team to come back from a three-games-to-one deficit since the Kansas City Royals
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Rookie of the Year (film)


was invited to sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" multiple times during the customary 7th-inning stretch. During the 2015 National League Championship Series where the Cubs faced the Mets as they did in the movie, he attended Game 4 in a Rowengartner #1 jersey similar to what he wore during the film. Following the Cubs' win over the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series to win their first championship since 1908, Nicholas, in celebration, tweeted the final shot from the movie of Henry
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Curse of the Billy Goat


Mike Fontenot, Ryan Theriot, Ángel Pagán, and, in 2013, Ryan Dempster. Dontrelle Willis and Jon Garland were traded as minor leaguers (coincidentally, the former won a World Series ring with the Marlins team that defeated the Cubs in the 2003 NLCS). Tim Lincecum, who went on to win three World Series titles, was originally drafted by the Cubs, but he did not sign with them. The Cubs ended the 2016 season with a () record. It was their first 100-win season since 1935 (
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2016 Chicago Cubs season


first National League Central title since the 2008 season, winning by 17½ games. The team also reached the 100-win mark for the first time since 1935 and won 103 total games, the most wins for the franchise since 1910. The Cubs defeated the San Francisco Giants in the National League Division Series and returned to the National League Championship Series for the second year in a row, where they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games. The Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians in seven games in the 2016 World Series, their first
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Chicago Cubs


of World War II, finishing 98–56. Due to the wartime travel restrictions, the first three games of the 1945 World Series were played in Detroit, where the Cubs won two games, including a one-hitter by Claude Passeau, and the final four were played at Wrigley. The Cubs lost the series, and did not return until the 2016 World Series. After losing the 1945 World Series to the Detroit Tigers, the Cubs finished with a respectable 82-71 record in the following year, but this was only
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Jon Lester


of the series and pitched 7 innings of one run ball, earning his third win of the postseason. The Cubs would go on and win the series 4 games to 2. Lester was named Co-MVP of the 2016 NLCS along with Javier Báez. Lester's performance helped propel the Cubs to the World Series for the first time since 1945. Lester was named the Game 1 starter of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians, where he took the loss after throwing 5.2 innings and allowing 3 runs. Lester also
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Terry Francona


ALCS with a win at Fenway Park on October 10, 2016. On October 19, 2016, Terry Francona's Indians beat the Toronto Blue Jays to move on to the World Series, where the Indians won game 1 against the Chicago Cubs 6-0 to extend his World Series record to 9–0. He lost his first World Series game when the Indians were defeated by the Cubs in game 2 by a score of 5–1. The Indians won game 3 against the Chicago Cubs 1–0. The Indians won game 4 against the
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World Series


and the Chicago Cubs) went the rest of the 20th century without another World Series win. The Red Sox and White Sox finally won again in 2004 and 2005, respectively. The Cubs had to wait over a century (until the 2016 season) for their next trophy. They did not appear in the Fall Classic from 1945 until 2016, the longest drought of any MLB club. The New York Yankees purchased Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox after the 1919 season, appeared in their first World Series two years later
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2016 Chicago Cubs season


appearance since the 1945 World Series and first win since the 1908 World Series. In the World Series, the Cubs came back from a three-games-to-one deficit, winning the final three games. The last time a team came back from a three-games-to-one deficit to win the World Series was the Kansas City Royals in 1985. The Cubs were also the first team to win Games 6 and 7 on the road in a World Series since the Pittsburgh Pirates had done so against the
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Cubs–White Sox rivalry


the 1945 World Series, when on October 6, 1945, Cubs fan and local tavern owner Billy Sianis was prevented from reaching his seat because he was accompanied by his pet billy goat. Local legend says that he responded by placing a curse on the Cubs to never again win the World Series, which they were not able to do until 2016. The Cubs, on more than one occasion, have featured a tongue-in-cheek promotion where billy goats are brought into the stadium to be offered as an apology.
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Thomas Hatch


extensively in 2016, as Oklahoma State reached the 2016 College World Series. In 2016, his junior year, Hatch went 9-3 with a 2.14 ERA in 19 starts, winning the Big 12 Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year Award. Hatch was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the third round, with the 104th overall selection, of the 2016 MLB draft. He signed with the Cubs, receiving a $573,900 signing bonus. He did not pitch in 2016 after signing. He made his professional debut in 2017 with
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1908 World Series


The 1908 World Series matched the defending champion Chicago Cubs against the Detroit Tigers in a rematch of the 1907 Series. In this first-ever rematch of this young event, the Cubs won in five games for their second consecutive World Series title. The 1908 World Series was significant for being the last World Series championship the Cubs would win until the World Series (108 years later). Before the 2016 series, the team would go on to appear in seven World Series; in , , , , , , and ,
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Chicago Cubs


Series, and the first to win it twice. Most recently, the Cubs won the 2016 National League Championship Series and 2016 World Series, which ended a 71-year National League pennant drought and a 108-year World Series championship drought, both of which are record droughts in Major League Baseball. The 108-year drought was also the longest such occurrence in all major North American sports. Since the start of divisional play in 1969, the Cubs have appeared in the postseason ten times through the 2018 season. The Cubs are known as "the
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Sports-related curses


the Cubs had advanced to the World Series was five outs away in game 6 of the 2003 NLCS vs. the Florida Marlins, when Steve Bartman, a Cubs fan, attempted to catch a foul ball. The Cubs defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2016 National League Championship Series (NLCS), winning the organization's first National League (NL) pennant since 1945. The Cubs finally won the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians, their first championship in 108 years. The Chicago White Sox were said to have been
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Steve Bartman incident


. In mid-October 2016, at the time the Chicago Cubs were playing in the 2016 NLCS, the "Chicago Sun-Times" contacted Bartman's attorney and spokesman, Frank Murtha. Bartman, through Murtha, declined an interview. On Saturday, October 22, 2016, the Cubs were again at home with a 3–2 lead in Game 6 of an NLCS, similar to the 2003 NLCS game. The Cubs ended up winning that game and moving onto the 2016 World Series. After winning the pennant, many Cubs
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Steve Bartman incident


: The next night, back at Wrigley Field, Florida overcame Kerry Wood and a 5–3 deficit to win 9–6, and win the pennant. The Marlins went on to win the 2003 World Series, beating the New York Yankees, four games to two. The Cubs did not win another playoff game after the incident until 2015 when they defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the wild card game, but they were swept in the NLCS by the New York Mets. In 2016, the team advanced to the World Series for the first
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Joe Nathan


Cubs. He was immediately placed on the 60-day disabled list upon signing to continue recovery from his previous Tommy John surgery. He made his Cubs debut on July 24, 2016 against the Milwaukee Brewers, pitching one inning and striking out the side while allowing one hit and one walk. After three appearances, the Cubs designated Nathan for assignment on August 6, 2016. The Cubs went on to win the World Series that year, earning Nathan his first World Series ring. On August 16, 2016, Nathan signed a minor
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2016 National League Championship Series


The Cubs would go on to defeat the Cleveland Indians in the World Series in seven games, after overcoming a 3–1 series deficit, winning their first World Series championship for the first time in 108 years, ending the Curse of the Billy Goat. The 2016 NLCS was the Cubs' second consecutive NLCS appearance and fifth overall. Chicago lost its first four NLCS appearances, in 1984, 1989, 2003, and most recently were swept in the 2015 National League Championship Series. This was the first time the Cubs have made back
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Chicago Cubs


a Marlin victory. Despite sending Kerry Wood to the mound and holding a lead twice, the Cubs ultimately dropped Game 7, and failed to reach the World Series. The "Steve Bartman incident" was seen as the "first domino" in the turning point of the era, and the Cubs did not win a playoff game for the next eleven seasons. In 2004, the Cubs were a consensus pick by most media outlets to win the World Series. The offseason acquisition of Derek Lee (who was acquired in a
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1932 World Series


was the last Series for Yankee mainstays Ruth, Combs and Pennock. The Cubs extended their World Series victory drought to 24 years with their humiliating loss, their fourth consecutive in the Fall Classic after 1910, 1918 & 1929 (to the A's, Red Sox and A's again respectively). The Cubs' drought would end up lasting 108 years, having been finally ended when the Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians in seven games to win the 2016 World Series. 1932 World Series (4–0): New York Yankees (
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Ex-Cubs Factor


a freelance journalist and Cubs fan. Berler posited in an article that "it is utterly impossible for a team with three or more ex-Cubs to win the series." Berler based this on a pattern that he observed in the post-1945 era; 1945 being the last time the Chicago Cubs made it to a World Series until 2016. Berler cited many examples of teams with three or more ex-Cubs on their teams that reached the World Series and lost: including the 1958 Milwaukee Braves, the 1966 Los Angeles Dodgers
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2016 World Series


World Series MVP award after hitting .357 in the series and delivering the go-ahead hit. Rizzo called the rain delay "the most important thing to happen to the Chicago Cubs in the past 100 years. I don't think there's any way we win the game without it." Cubs president Theo Epstein said that when he heard about the meeting called by Heyward, "Right then I thought, 'We're winning this game.'" The Cubs became the first team to come back from a 3–1 deficit
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2003 World Series


the last opposing team to win a Series championship at Yankee Stadium, to win the World Series without having home field advantage. They are just the fourth team overall to do it since the 1984 Detroit Tigers, following the 1992 Toronto Blue Jays and the 1999 New York Yankees. The 2006 St. Louis Cardinals later accomplished the same of feat, as did the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies, the 2014 San Francisco Giants, the 2016 Chicago Cubs and most recently the 2017 Houston Astros. They also became the second expansion team in the National
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Merkle's Boner


give the Cubs the lead, and Frank Chance followed with a two-run double. From there, Chicago cruised to a 4–2 victory, becoming champions of the NL for the third straight year. The Cubs went on to win the 1908 World Series, beating the Detroit Tigers four games to one. This was the Cubs' last world championship for more than a century; the next came in the 2016 World Series. The Pirates won the 1909 World Series, also against the Tigers. The Giants then returned to the
4247607
1935 Chicago Cubs season


The 1935 Chicago Cubs season was the 64th season for the Chicago Cubs franchise, the 60th in the National League and the 20th at Wrigley Field. The season saw the Cubs finish with 100 wins for the first time in 25 years; they would not win 100 games in another season until 2016. The Cubs won their 14th National League pennant in team history and faced the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, but lost in six games. The 1935 season is largely remembered for the Cubs' 21-game winning streak. The streak
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2014 Chicago Cubs season


play at Wrigley Field, though the Cubs did not start playing there until 1916. To mark the occasion, the Cubs wore different uniforms to represent each decade during ten homestands throughout the season. The season marked the third year of the Cubs rebuild under President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer which would result in the Cubs breaking their 108-year World Series drought and lead the Cubs to the 2016 World Series championship. During the season, the Cubs drafted Kyle Schwarber with the fourth overall pick of the 2014 Draft
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Cardinals–Cubs rivalry


would also win a few pennants, their championship run stopped in . Eventually, the Cubs' pennant wins would also stop in 1945, and they did not win another until , when they also won the World Series. The Cardinals have won the World Series 11 times, the most of any National League team and second New York Yankees (27) in all of MLB. Cubs' Slugger Hack Wilson had a combative streak and frequently initiated fights with opposing players and fans. On June 22, 1928, a riot broke
21537958
Don Johnson (second baseman)


the last Cubs team until 2016 to win a pennant, hitting a career-high .302 and scoring 94 runs, tenth in the league. He was also selected for the unofficial "All-Star Game" that was organized by the Associated Press after the official game was canceled. Until Dexter Fowler led off in the 2016 World Series, Johnson was the last Cub to come to bat in a World Series game. He grounded into a force out to end the 1945 World Series defeat to the Detroit Tigers. Career totals
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2016 World Series


seventh but could not score and, following a single by Mike Napoli in the bottom of the eighth, Aroldis Chapman entered to finish the game for the Cubs. The win marked the Cubs' first World Series game victory since 1945 and tied up the series at one game all. The game marked Indians manager Terry Francona's first loss in ten World Series games. For Game 3, former Cubs player Billy Williams threw the ceremonial first pitch before the start of the game, and Bill Murray sang "Take Me Out to
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1918 World Series


instrumental in their 1918 victory) to the New York Yankees for cash after the 1919 season. The Cubs would not win their next World Series until 2016. The Cubs, who last won in , won the National League but lost the Series in 1918, , , , , and , and, allegedly stymied by the infamous Curse of the Billy Goat imposed during that latter Series. The Red Sox, who had won the American League but lost the Series in , , , and , finally won the World Series in and
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Jeimer Candelario


the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. The Cubs promoted Candelario to the major league team on July 3, 2016, to replace Chris Coghlan, who was placed on the disabled list. He made his major-league debut the same day, against the New York Mets. He was optioned back to Iowa on July 9. Candelario appeared in five games for the Cubs in 2016 and finished with a .091 batting average. The Cubs went on to win the 2016 World Series. Candelario was not included on the Cubs' postseason
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Curse of the Billy Goat


, ), their best since 1910 (, ), and the sixth 100-win season in franchise history. The Cubs won the National League Championship Series (NLCS), their first pennant in 71 years, with a 5–0 shutout in Game 6 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on October 22, 2016; the "curse" was broken on the 46th anniversary of Billy Sianis's death. In 2016, the Cubs won the World Series for the first time since 1908, ending the 108-year drought. The Cubs beat
5160113
Lon Warneke


the Cubs were in second place, five games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates. On August 11, Warneke started, but did not win, a 3–2 extra inning victory in which the Cubs leapfrogged over the Pirates into first place, where they remained for the last 47 games of the season. The Cubs finished 37–18 under Grimm. Warneke went 5–1 with two shut outs and four no decisions down the stretch. The Cubs' World Series opponent were the New York Yankees, who finished 107–47, outscoring their opponents 1002-724.
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Anthony Rizzo


Cubs to their first World Series appearance since 1945. In the 2016 World Series, Rizzo scored 7 runs and had 5 RBIs, and helped the Cubs win their first World Series title since 1908. He also won the Esurance MLB Award for "Best Social Media Personality" and for "Best Play: Defense". Rizzo's defense saved 11 runs for the Cubs which led all MLB first basemen and he was recipient of his first Fielding Bible Award. He also won the fan vote for the Platinum Glove Award. With
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Jason Heyward


play for the Cubs in a World Series game. Heyward was credited with leading an inspiring players-only meeting during a 17-minute rain delay near the end of Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. The Cubs eventually won the game 8-7 after 10 innings, and gave them their first World Series championship in 108 years. On November 9, Heyward became the first position player in Major League Baseball history to win three straight Gold Glove Awards with three different teams (Braves, Cardinals and Cubs). On May 8
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Chicago Cubs


into August when the team chances upon 12-year-old Cubs fan Henry Rowengartner (Thomas Ian Nicholas), whose right (throwing) arm tendons have healed tightly after a broken arm and granted him the ability to regularly pitch at speeds in excess of . Following the Cubs' win over the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, Nicholas, in celebration, tweeted the final shot from the movie: Henry holding his fist up to the camera to show a Cubs World Series ring. ""Baseball's Sad
6814518
Jerry Pritikin


Jerry Pritikin is best known for being the lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, known as the Bleacher Preacher. Pritikin became a Cubs fan in 1945 at the age of eight, when the Cubs were in the World Series and he begged his father to take him to a game. While denying his request, his father did promise to take him the next time the Cubs made it to the Series (a feat the Cubs would not achieve until 2016). Pritikin started going to Cubs games with his brothers and sisters. In 1960
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Cubs–White Sox rivalry


Obama however, has stated that while he is aware that many people hate the other team, he does not hate the Cubs and wants them to win as long as they are not playing the White Sox. On the other hand, his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama, has been a lifelong Cubs fan and following the Cubs' 2016 World Series victory, Barack went as far as to invite them to the White House, tweeting that the Cubs' historic win was "change that even [he] can believe in
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Back to the Future Part II


Day," the day Marty McFly arrived in 2015 in the film. Despite losing in 2015, one year later the Cubs "did" win the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians; the official Twitter feed for the "Back to the Future" franchise tweeted out that Marty & Doc's time-traveling caused "a rift in the space-time continuum" that led to the 1994 strike (and subsequent cancellation of the 1994 World Series), thus delaying the accurate prediction by a year. In the real
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Steve Bartman incident


-called Curse of the Billy Goat. After their World Series win, Murtha said, "[Bartman] was just overjoyed that the Cubs won, as all the Cubs fans are." Further, when calls were made for Bartman to be a part of the victory parade, or other similar ideas, "The one thing that Steve and I did talk about was if the Cubs were to win, he did not want to be a distraction to the accomplishments of the players and the organization." The loose ball
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2017 National League Championship Series


was the Cubs' third consecutive appearance in the NLCS. In 2015, they were swept in four games by the New York Mets. In 2016, they defeated the Dodgers (4–2) in six games, eventually going on to win their first World Series since 1908. This was the third postseason meeting between the Cubs and Dodgers. The clubs have split their two previous postseason meetings. Los Angeles swept Chicago in the 2008 NLDS (3–0) and the Cubs defeated the Dodgers in the 2016 NLCS in six games (4–2
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Jorge Soler


in 2016, playing in 86 games compared to 101 the previous year. The Cubs were the most dominant team for the entirety of the regular season, entering the postseason as the favorites. Through 13 at-bats in the playoffs, Soler totaled 4 strikeouts, 3 walks, and two hits. Both of his hits came in the World Series. The more notable of the two was a triple in Game 3 off of Bryan Shaw. The Cubs went on to win the 2016 World Series over the Cleveland Indians in seven
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Ex-Cubs Factor


(with ex-Cubs Scott Sanderson, Dennis Eckersley, and Ron Hassey) would lose in the 1990 World Series (which they did by getting swept by the Cincinnati Reds). It was again cited by Berler as a reason for the defeat of the league-leading 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1991 National League Championship Series to the Atlanta Braves. Mike Royko used the ex-Cubs factor to predict the playoff collapse of the 104-win 1993 Atlanta Braves (which did occur in the 1993 National League Championship Series). The
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2016 World Series


in his bid to become the third manager to win his first three trips to the Fall Classic, after Casey Stengel and Joe Torre. The Cubs made their eleventh appearance in the World Series; their only previous two championships were in and . They lost their eight other appearances, in , , , , , , , and . The Cubs qualified for the postseason by winning the National League Central, ending the regular season with the best record in all of MLB (103–58) for the first time since 1945; they also
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2016 National League Championship Series


, whose bases-clearing double put the Cubs up 8–1. The Dodgers scored a run in the bottom of the eighth off Pedro Strop on a double by Carlos Ruiz. Cub closer Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth. He allowed a run-scoring single by Josh Reddick and a sacrifice fly by Andrew Toles to make the score 8–4, but induced Justin Turner to ground out to end the game. The win put the Cubs on the brink of the World Series as the series moved back to Wrigley Field. Cubs pitchers Kyle
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2016 World Series


, the Indians also lost). It was also the first Game 7 to have a rain delay, which occurred as the tenth inning was about to start. The Cubs became the sixth team to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a best-of-seven World Series, following the 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates, the 1958 New York Yankees, the 1968 Detroit Tigers, the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, and the 1985 Kansas City Royals. The Cubs, playing in their eleventh World Series and their first since 1945
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Chicago Cubs


another World Series until 2016; this remains the longest championship drought in North American professional sports. The next season, veteran catcher Johnny Kling left the team to become a professional pocket billiards player. Some historians think Kling's absence was significant enough to prevent the Cubs from also winning a third straight title in 1909, as they finished 6 games out of first place. When Kling returned the next year, the Cubs won the pennant again, but lost to the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1910 World Series. In 1914, advertising
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Curse of the Billy Goat


anniversary of Billy Sianis's death, the "curse" was broken when they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5–0 in game 6 of the 2016 National League Championship Series to win the NL pennant. The Cubs then defeated the American League (AL) champion Cleveland Indians 8–7 in 10 innings in game 7 to win the 2016 World Series, 108 years after their last win. The exact nature of Sianis's curse differs in various accounts of the incident. Some state that he declared that no World Series games would ever again be
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2016 World Series


posted their highest winning percentage since 1935, and won their most games since 1910. The division title was their sixth since division play began in 1969, and their first since 2008. The Cubs entered the postseason as the #1 seed in the National League, and they defeated the 5th-seeded San Francisco Giants 3–1 of the NL Division Series before clinching their first NL pennant since 1945 with a 4–2 series win over the 3rd-seeded Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series. For Cubs manager Joe Maddon, it
22135044
Aroldis Chapman


respectively; Wade Davis tied his record in the 2017 National League Division Series, but did it in each of his opportunities. Chapman made four appearances during the 2016 National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chapman blew a save opportunity during the first game of the NLCS. However, the Cubs rallied back and Chapman remained in the game to earn the winning decision. He pitched during the final two innings in Game 6 to secure the Cubs first pennant since 1945. Chapman's workload in the 2016
1963374
Heinie Zimmerman


, New York City. In 1912, Zimmerman led the National League in batting and in home runs, but failed to win the triple crown, as Honus Wagner was thought to have led the league in RBIs, though recent research has suggested that in fact Zimmerman deserved the triple crown after all. He was also an important member of the 1908 Cubs, the last Cubs team to win the World Series prior to 2016. Zimmerman was #98 on the "Top 100 Cubs of All Time" list as compiled by the
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1918 World Series


The 1918 World Series featured the Boston Red Sox, who defeated the Chicago Cubs four games to two. The Series victory for the Red Sox was their fifth in five tries, going back to . The Red Sox scored only nine runs in the entire Series, the fewest runs by the winning team in World Series history. Along with the and 1907 World Series (both of which the Cubs also played in), the 1918 World Series is one of only three Fall Classics where neither team hit a home run. The
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Cleveland Indians


for the Indians in the World Series since 1997 and first for the Cubs since 1945. The Indians took a 3–1 series lead following a victory in Game 4 at Wrigley Field, but the Cubs rallied to take the final three games and won the series 4 games to 3. The Indians' 2016 success led to Francona winning his second AL Manager of the Year Award with the club. From August 24 through September 15 during the 2017 season, the Indians set a new American League record by winning 22 games in a row
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1945 World Series


Ray Prim relieved Wyse and allowed a sacrifice fly to Doc Cramer before Hank Greenburg's home run tied the game. In the 12th, after a one-out single by Frank Secory off Dizzy Trout, pinch-runner Bill Schuster came all the way around on Stan Hack's walk-off double to left, forcing a Game 7. Besides being the last World Series game the Cubs won until 2016, this would also be the second -- and last -- World Series game that the Cubs would win before their hometown fans
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2016 National League Division Series


in a Wild Card tiebreaker in 1998 where the Cubs advanced, beating the Giants 5–3. The Cubs won the Division Series three games to one and advanced to the NLCS for the second consecutive year. The Cubs began postseason play with starter Jon Lester on the mound facing Johnny Cueto for the Wild Card Game-winning Giants. In the pitching duel, Lester scattered five hits in eight innings of work, shutting out the Giants. Cueto also blanked the Cubs allowing only two hits until the eighth inning, when Javier Baez's
16964989
Jake Buchanan


. He was promoted to the major-league roster from the Triple-A Iowa Cubs when rosters expanded on September 1. Buchanan appeared in two games for the Cubs to finish 2016, and had a 1-0 record with a 1.50 ERA. The Cubs eventually won the 2016 World Series, giving Buchanan his first championship title, although he did not play in the postseason. Buchanan was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds on May 25, 2017. On July 6, 2017, Buchanan signed a minor league contract
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2015 World Series


the actual 2015 postseason, the Cubs advanced to the National League Championship Series, but were eliminated in four games. Coincidentally, the final game of the NLCS took place on October 21, the same date as the fictional events of "Back to the Future Part II". While the film's prediction proved to be incorrect, the Cubs "did" win the following year's World Series, marking an end to the team's 108-year championship drought. The official Back to the Future twitter account acknowledged this, also stating
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Javier Báez


of the 2016 National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants, Báez hit a solo home run off Giants starter Johnny Cueto in the 8th inning to account for the only run in a 1-0 Cubs victory. It was the first 1-0 win in a playoff game for the Cubs since game 4 of the 1906 World Series against the Chicago White Sox. In Game 4, Báez drove in Jason Heyward to cap off a four-run rally in the top of the ninth, sending the Cubs to the
4119229
History of the Chicago Cubs


then defeated the San Francisco Giants in the NLDS (3-1) followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS (4-2) to win the NL pennant for the first time since 1945. In an epic 2016 World Series, the Cubs ended their 108-year World Series Championship drought by defeating the Cleveland Indians in a thrilling seven game series (4-3). Al Spalding, who also owned Spalding sporting goods, played for the team for two seasons under club founder William Hulbert. After Hulbert's death
15551498
List of Chicago Cubs first-round draft picks


Báez (2011), Albert Almora (2012), Kris Bryant (2013), and Kyle Schwarber (2014)—were on the 2016 World Series roster. No pick has been elected to the Hall of Fame. Bryant is the Cubs' only first-round pick to be named Most Valuable Player in either the National or American League, winning NL honors in 2016. He is also one of two picks to have been named NL Rookie of the Year with the Cubs, receiving this award in 2015; the other is Kerry
3462804
Munenori Kawasaki


103-58 record for an NL Central pennant, and would eventually win the 2016 World Series, ending their 108-year long world champion title drought. Kawasaki was ineligible for post-season play in 2016, but traveled with the Cubs throughout the playoffs and joined the team on the field for the post-game celebrations. On January 7, 2017, Kawasaki signed a new minor league contract with the Cubs. He was released on March 28. On March 31, 2017, Kawasaki signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. He
347486
History of the Chicago Cubs


broadcast. In the first game of the NLCS the Cubs won 13–0 behind two Gary Matthews home runs, and then took a 2–0 series lead with a 4–2 win in Game 2. With the City of Chicago in an uproar, the series headed west for the final three games, where the Cubs needed only one win to make it to the World Series. After being soundly beaten in Game 3, they lost Game 4 when All-Star closer Lee Smith allowed a walk-off home run to Steve Garvey. Many
15551413
Eamus Catuli


number of seasons since the Cubs last won the World Series (2016). Using this vernacular, AC000000 would indicate that the Cubs won the division and National League title and World Series title this year. That finally happened early in the morning on November 3, 2016, when the Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. Both the "Eamus Catuli!" and "Anno Catulorum" signs were erected atop the Lakeview Baseball Club around Opening Day of the baseball season in April 1996. Visible
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2016 Cleveland Indians season


The 2016 Cleveland Indians season was the 116th season for the franchise and the 23rd season at Progressive Field. The Indians won the American League Central Division for the first time since 2007 and also beat the Boston Red Sox in the Division Series for their first playoff win in nine years. They defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in five games in the American League Championship Series before losing to the Chicago Cubs in seven games in the 2016 World Series. This was their first appearance in the World Series since 1997. Tuesday, April 5
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Javier Báez


Báez hit .318 with five RBIs, four doubles, and two stolen bases in the series, including three hits and three RBIs in Game 5. Baez would be part of the Cubs 2016 World Series win against the Cleveland Indians in 7 games, earning him his first World Series championship. Báez was the recipient of the Fielding Bible Award for his "defensive excellence at multiple positions." Báez' ability to apply quick tags of opposing players attempting to steal second base was acknowledged as among the best ever. Cubs manager Joe
4119231
2016 World Series


following up on his eighth-inning heroics, lined a single to center, making it a one-run game, and the score 8-7. Maddon called on Mike Montgomery, who had zero career saves. Montgomery retired Michael Martinez (who had scored the game-winning run in Game 3) with an infield grounder fielded by Bryant, who threw to Rizzo. This ended the game and the World Series, with the Cubs winning the series and ending their 108-year World Series championship drought. Zobrist was awarded the
22135077
Pete Ricketts


from Tribune Media. Ricketts and his siblings occupied four of the five seats on the team's board of directors; as of 2018, the four continued to hold those seats. Due to this, Ricketts has a 2016 World Series title to his credit, as the Cubs won the championship that year (fulfilling a pledge he had made in 2009 during the press conference to announce the family's purchase of the team, when he and his brother Tom guaranteed a World Series win for the Cubs under their ownership). Ricketts
18099654
Bill Schuster


William Charles Schuster (August 4, 1912 in Buffalo, New York – June 28, 1987 in El Monte, California) was a professional baseball player who played shortstop in the Major Leagues from 1937 to 1945. He would play for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Bees, and Chicago Cubs. Schuster scored the winning run in the Chicago Cubs' last victory in a World Series game, prior to 2016. He was a pinch-runner in the 11th inning of Game 6 at Wrigley Field in the 1945 World Series and
21122026
WGN America


of the team to Thomas S. Ricketts in late 2009 also played a factor, as the team's television package cost five times as much for rights fees alone as the revenue it brought in for the national broadcasts. (Ironically, two seasons later, the Cubs underwent a major turnaround and had its strongest season in decades, going on to win its first World Series championship since 1924; WGN America would air the Cubs' 2016 World Series victory parade on November 4 of that year.) Even prior to the decision,
6452196
Carlos Zambrano


where the Cubs dropped to 30 games below .500, Zambrano identified the need for quality pitching to be added before the next season. The Cubs management added Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis in the off-season as part of a $300 million spending spree. After the acquisitions, Zambrano speculated on the fortunes for the 2007 season, declaring that he was to win the Cy Young Award and the Cubs would win the World Series. Zambrano and the Cubs start to the season was anything but predicted. In Zambrano's first five
3041828
2006 World Series


Series). Since 2006, four series (2007, 2009, 2016, and 2017) have outdone the 2006 World Series' ratings. Neither team made the playoffs the next season. The Tigers finished with 88 wins, eight behind the division champion Cleveland Indians in the AL Central, while the Cardinals finished with 78 wins, seven behind the division champion Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. The 2007 Cardinals were the last defending World Series champion to finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs the next season until the
17836476
Tim Federowicz


Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas on August 11. Federowicz signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on January 14, 2016. He started the season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. He was brought up to the major league roster on April 28. Federowicz appeared in 17 games for the Cubs, finishing the year with a .194 batting average and three RBI. The Cubs would eventually win the World Series in seven games over the Cleveland Indians, ending their 108-year drought. Federowicz was not active during the postseason
6029820
Ex-Cubs Factor


lost the World Series to the Yankees leading to Berler's hypothesis of three ex-Cubs making it impossible to win a championship. In addition, the 1980 Kansas City Royals lost the World Series as well with 3 ex-Cubs. In the original article, Berler predicted that based on this pattern the 1981 New York Yankees would not win the World Series because they had five ex-Cubs on their roster (Oscar Gamble, Bobby Murcer, Dave LaRoche, Rick Reuschel, and Barry Foote), this prediction went against
17584751
Hank Greenberg


the World Series in seven games. Only three home runs were hit in that World Series. Phil Cavarretta hit a home run for the Cubs in Game One, Greenberg hit a homer in Game Two, where he batted in three runs in a 4–1 Tigers win, and he hit a two-run homer in Game Six in the eighth inning that tied the score 8–8; the Cubs went on to win that game with a run in the bottom of the 12th. In 1946, he returned to peak form and playing
13331619
Charlie Grimm


-64, winning the National League pennant for the first time since 1929. The Cubs were subsequently swept by the New York Yankees in the World Series. The team regressed in the following two seasons, winning 86 games each and finishing in third place. However, Grimm's team made a dramatic improvement in 1935, going 100-54. It was the first time the Cubs had won 100 games since 1910 and it was the last until 2016 (along with Grimm's only 100-win season as manager). They were
2609164
Grant DePorter


Cubs' Hall of Famer Ernie Banks was chairman, Dutchie Caray, Harry Caray's widow, is treasurer and Cubs' Hall-of-Famer Ryne Sandberg is secretary. The fan club was dismantled by unpopular Cubs' owner Charles Murphy after the Cubs had won the World Series in 1908 and the Cubs have not won the World Series since. Cub fans hope that by bringing back the West Side Rooters Social Club, the Chicago Cubs will finally win the World Series. During the same week the Cubs clinched the 2008 Central
19574334
Brian Matusz


since 2012, the Cubs assigned Matusz to be a starter in the minors. On July 30, 2016, the Cubs called him up to start against the Seattle Mariners on July 31. However, after a poor outing in that game, the Cubs designated him for assignment the very next day. He later cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Despite the fact he only appeared in one game for the Cubs during their 2016 World Series season, he was given a World Series ring. Matusz
12143555
2003 National League Championship Series


to an 8–3 victory, putting them just one victory away from their first World Series in nearly 60 years. This 2003 victory turned out to be the last playoff game won by the Cubs for twelve years, a span of 9 consecutive losses until finally winning the National League Wild Card Game in 2015, as well as their last win in the NLCS until 2016. Sunday, October 12, 2003 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida With the Marlins facing elimination, Josh Beckett kept them alive by dominating the Cubs
8319029
Joe Smith (pitcher)


. In 16 more appearances with the Cubs to finish 2016, Smith had a 1-1 record and a 2.51 ERA. Overall in 2016, combined with both teams he played for, Smith made 54 total appearances with a 1-4 record and a 3.82 ERA. Smith was a member of the Cubs' 2016 World Series championship team, but did not make any postseason appearances. On February 9, 2017, Smith signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Smith became the
3060228
Red Ruffing


As McCarthy did not believe in pitching two players from the same team in an All-Star Game, Ruffing did not appear in the game. He led the AL with 21 wins in the 1938 season. He also tied for the AL lead in shutouts during with three, while his 3.31 ERA was third-best in the league, behind only Grove. Ruffing pitched the opening game of the 1938 World Series against the Cubs. He won two games in the series as the Yankees defeated the Cubs. Ruffing finished fourth
8730356
Chicago Cubs


pennants and two World Series titles over a five-year span. Although they fell to the "Hitless Wonders" White Sox in the 1906 World Series, the Cubs recorded a record 116 victories and the best winning percentage (.763) in Major League history. With mostly the same roster, Chicago won back-to-back World Series championships in 1907 and 1908, becoming the first Major League club to play three times in the Fall Classic and the first to win it twice. However, the Cubs would not win
6814414
The Curse: Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Or Do They?


had been on the Cubs’ Triple A affiliate in Iowa. He is one of those players who has always been on the fringe of making it to the major leagues but has never received much of a chance. He becomes the leader of the new Cubs as they continue their drive toward the pennant and the World Series. He becomes interested in the history of the team and of his long-deceased relative and retraces his background, including visiting the site of that team’s home stadium, West Side Grounds, where a
20457010
WGN Sports


S. Ricketts in late 2009 also played a factor, as the team's television package cost five times as much for rights fees alone as the revenue it brought in for the national broadcasts. (Ironically, two seasons later, the Cubs underwent a major turnaround and had its strongest season in decades, going on to win its first World Series championship since 1924; WGN America would air the Cubs' 2016 World Series victory parade on November 4 of that year.) Even prior to the decision, WGN America had chosen not
13516430
1945 Chicago Cubs season


and eventually the 1945 World Series, prompting Sianis to write to Wrigley from Greece, saying, ""Who stinks now?"" The Cubs would eventually break the curse and what would turn out to be a 108-year drought by winning the World Series in 2016 over the Cleveland Indians in seven games. October 3, 1945, at Briggs Stadium in Detroit October 4, 1945, at Briggs Stadium in Detroit October 5, 1945, at Briggs Stadium in Detroit October 6, 1945, at Wrigley Field in Chicago October 7
2218924
1945 Chicago Cubs season


goat did not. Before the game was over, it started to rain and Sianis and the goat were ejected from the stadium at the command of Cubs owner Philip Knight Wrigley due to the objectionable odor of wet goat. Sianis was outraged at the ejection and allegedly placed a curse upon the Cubs that they would never win another pennant or play in a World Series at Wrigley Field again because the Cubs organization had insulted his goat, and subsequently left the U.S. to vacation in his home in Greece. The Cubs lost Game 4
2218923
2003 American League Championship Series


five outs away from reaching the World Series, although this was in Game 6, when the Marlins scored eight runs in that inning and won the game 8–3. The Marlins would win Game 7, 9–6, to advance to the World Series, where they defeated the Yankees four games to two. The Cubs themselves would not reach the World Series again until , which they won by defeating the Cleveland Indians in the full seven games. By doing so, the Cubs ended the Curse of the Billy Goat and were replaced by
18681183
Kris Bryant


advanced to the 2016 NLCS. The Cubs then won the National League pennant—for the first time since 1945—by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-games-to-2. In the World Series, the Cubs came back from a 3-games-to-1 deficit and defeated the Cleveland Indians, to secure their first championship after a 108-year-long drought. During the 2016 postseason, Bryant hit for a .308 average with three home runs and eight RBIs. Bryant concluded the 2016 season by winning the National League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP)
18698426
Steve Bartman incident


fans petitioned for the team to allow Bartman to throw out a first pitch during the 2016 World Series. However, Murtha told CNN that Bartman did not want to be in the spotlight, and that there is "probably a slim, none, and no chance" that Bartman would agree to throw out a first pitch. The World Series went on without Bartman making any public appearances. On Wednesday Night, November 2, 2016, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series for the first time since 1908, ending the so
21644884
John Eubank


the 1907 by a 1-0 score. In late June, Eubank pitched a shutout against the Cleveland Naps to stop a four-game losing streak. He pitched his last major league game on August 2, 1907. Eubank was sent to Indianapolis late in the 1907 season where he had three wins in three starts. He returned to the Tigers for the 1907 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. Although he did not pitch in the World Series, Eubank protested when he was denied a share of the club's bonus
6672488
Back to the Future Part II


replicate the technology advances. In the 2015 scene, the film imagines the Chicago Cubs winning the 2015 World Series against the fictional Miami-based Gators, referencing the Cubs' longstanding failure to win a championship. In the actual 2015 season, the Cubs qualified for the postseason, their first postseason appearance since 2008, but the Cubs lost the National League Championship Series (not the World Series) to the New York Mets on October 21, 2015, which coincidentally was the same day as ""Back to the Future"
2037584
2017 Los Angeles Dodgers season


the second year in a row and the third time in five seasons, where they faced the Chicago Cubs for the second year in a row. They defeated the Cubs in five games and advanced to the World Series for the first time since 1988, where they lost to the Houston Astros in seven games. The day after the 2016 World Series several Dodgers instantly became free agents: Pitchers Kenley Jansen, Brett Anderson, Rich Hill, Jesse Chavez, Joe Blanton and J. P. Howell, second baseman Chase Utley, third baseman
16333917
Ex-Cubs Factor


with a dramatic error by ex-Cub Bill Buckner). This hypothesis was largely discredited in the 2003 World Series with the Florida Marlins (who had ex-Cub Lenny Harris) defeating the New York Yankees (who had no ex-Cubs), though Harris did not play in the World Series. Since 1945, of the 23 teams to reach the World Series with three or more Cubs players, only 3 have won the World Series (the 1960 Pirates, the 2001 Diamondbacks, and the 2008 Phillies).
17584755
Clayton Richard


a 3.83 ERA overall. In 2016, Richard was used as a situational leftie out of the bullpen until he was placed on the disabled list on June 21 with a blister on his finger. He returned to the bullpen in July but was designated for assignment on July 26 when Aroldis Chapman was added to the roster and then released on August 3. With the Cubs in 2016, Richard pitched to a 6.43 ERA in 14 innings over 25 games. The Cubs went on to win the World Series, and Richard was presented
10560458
2016 World Series


because the AL had won the 2016 All-Star Game. This was the final World Series to have home-field advantage determined by the All-Star Game results; since , home-field advantage has been awarded to the team with the better record. The Cubs defeated the Indians 4 games to 3 to win their first World Series since 1908. Game 7, an 8–7 victory in 10 innings, marked the fifth time that a Game 7 had gone into extra innings and the first since 1997 (which, coincidentally
22135040
Mark Grace


Cubs but accepted less money for the opportunity to live year-round at his home in suburban Scottsdale, Arizona, with his family. "For me to remain a Cub, the Cubs would have wanted to want me back and the Cubs would have had to win", Grace said at the time. "Neither of those happened and I'm one proud Diamondback now." Grace wore his familiar number 17 in Arizona where he played for three more seasons, including helping the Diamondbacks win the 2001 World Series. Having
17117962
2016 World Series


the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch, to mark the Cubs' first World Series night game at home. Chicago pitcher Kyle Hendricks started against Cleveland pitcher Josh Tomlin. The game's only run came off a Coco Crisp single that scored Michael Martínez from third in the seventh inning. Josh Tomlin, Andrew Miller, Bryan Shaw, and Cody Allen combined to shut out the Cubs. Allen earned his sixth postseason save as Javier Báez struck out swinging to end the game, leaving the tying and winning runs in
22135055
2016 World Series


-out hit-by-pitch before being relieved by Travis Wood, who gave up a three-run home run to Kipnis put to the Indians ahead 7–1. The Cubs got one run back in the eighth, on a Dexter Fowler home run off Andrew Miller, which was the first run he gave up in the post-season. With the victory, the Indians were just one win away from a World Series championship. For Game 5, former Cubs star and Hall of Fame member Ryne Sandberg threw the ceremonial
22135058