RECAP: Cubs End 108-Year Drought with 8-7 Win Over Indians

I have never been more excited about baseball in my life. I think watching Game 7 of the World Series between the Cubs and Indians sparked a newfound interest in baseball for me. I found myself rooting for the Cubs just for the glorious stories that would transpire after that sort of outcome. The odds were against them, and have been against them, for the last 108 years, but now the “curse” is lifted! Sure, like Joe Maddon said, “[their] organization has been on the upswing” as of late but to get the World Series win after clawing back from a 3-1 deficit, in a city that was on the other end of such a comeback just months ago… no wonder the only way people can explain it is “an indescribable feeling.” I’m going to give my personal recap of the event while peppering in some tweets from the @AbstractSports Twitter Takeover last night.

1st Inning

The game got off to a quick start with a leadoff home run by Dexter Fowler. At this point, I hadn’t even had a chance to order my food at my local Buffalo Wild Wings. I literally just sat down, and BOOM a homerun had already happened.

2nd Inning

There was a bit of defense.

3rd Inning

The Indians tied the game. I have to say that there were definitely more Cubs fans where I was because nobody seemed too excited about them getting a run. Maybe that’s why I leaned more towards the Cubs so I didn’t get caught in a brawl - who knows.

4th Inning

Cubs scored a couple more runs, then dealt a quick three outs to the Indians the second half of the inning.

5th Inning

Javier Baez hit a solo shot, which I was actually pretty happy about. He is probably my new favorite player. He plays the game with such enthusiasm and child-like energy, plus he is highly instinctive in his techniques and I find it extremely fun to watch. I don’t think I could bring myself to get a Baez jersey, though. I would hate to be called a bandwagoner. Anyway, the fifth inning was exciting with two runs from both sides but it got better.

6th Inning

Cubs catcher David Ross hit a homerun the final game of his career. He also posted a photo on Twitter after the game holding the trophy with a caption that read, "look what the boys got me for retirement."

7th Inning

The seventh inning was intense but nothing came of it.

8th Inning

The eighth inning was where this game got VERY interesting The Indians were down three, and they managed to get one run in off a couple hits, bringing them within two. Rajai Davis stepped up...

 

...and drove a ball shallow and out of the park in left field to tie the game 6-6.

9th Inning

With the ninth inning potentially being the last of the game, everything about it was nerve-racking. The Cubs weren’t able to score in the top of the ninth, giving the Indians a chance to win it all with any run. I posted a tweet that said: “I have a feeling Kipnis will have something to do with this W if the Indians make this happen.” And as soon as I said that, he drove one deep down the right field line, but it barely landed in the stands as a foul ball. This at-bat sucked the air out of the building because everybody thought that ball was a goner when it came off the bat.

After the inning was over with no runs scored, we were set to go into extra innings, only to have the rain storm delay the game. Both teams went into their dugouts where I’m sure inspirational speeches popped off for both teams. I can’t wait until some video and sound bites get leaked from that crucial break in the game.

10th Inning

Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber, the designated hitter, gets a single to start it off. Almora came in as a pinch runner and was able to advance to second base via sacrifice flyout from Kris Bryant. Rizzo was up next, but because he’s a beast they intentionally walked him to give the Indians a chance at a double-play with the runners on first and second. But after Rizzo comes Zobrist who doubles, scoring Almora from third and advancing Rizzo to third. Addison Russell gets walked, which might be for the best since he’s coming off a game with a big grand slam. Miguel Montero, who also had a huge grand slam earlier in the MLB playoffs, stepped up to the plate. He singled to left field, bringing Rizzo home making it a two-run lead. The Indians swapped pitchers and finally finished out the top of the tenth inning.

 

Bottom of the tenth inning, first batter Napoli strikes out. Jose Ramirez grounds out. Brandon Guyer gets walked, putting the tying run at the plate. Cubs swap pitchers. Michael Martinez hits a slow roller to the third baseman Kris Bryant who throws the ball to Rizzo at first, stumbling in the process. The catch is made, Rizzo stuffs the ball in his back pocket, and the 108-year long wait is over and the celebrating began.

I have several friends and family who are die-hard Cubs fans, and I think most of them are fans just because they are the biggest underdogs in all of baseball - at least in terms of time between championships. I can only imagine how happy they all are that they got to witness their team win after all this time. There will undoubtedly be a 30 for 30 documentary about this game, and I cannot wait for it to come out. Until then, I will weigh the pros and cons of whether or not I should get that Baez jersey…

Congratulations to the Chicago Cubs on overcoming a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Cleveland Indians in a spectacular Game 7 showdown that will be remembered forever.

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