HISTORY MADE: Chicago Cubs Beat Indians, Win First World Series in 108 Years
By James Neveau ••
The longest drought in professional sports is history, as the Chicago Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians and captured their first World Series title in 108 years.
Ben Zobrist, who drove in a run in the top of the 10th inning and was Chicago's most consistent player throughout the series, was named World Series MVP following the Cubs' triumph.
The Cubs were hoping to get off to a good start against Corey Kluber, and Dexter Fowler ensured that is exactly what happened. The center fielder took a two-seam fastball and hit a towering home run over the center field fence to give the Cubs an early 1-0 lead.
Kyle Schwarber then reached on an infield single, but even after a stolen base he was stranded as Ben Zobrist flew out to end the scoring threat.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Jon Lester #34 of the Chicago Cubs throws a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs tags out Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians as he attempts to steal second base during the third inning in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs throws to first base during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs hits a single during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs hits a single during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs high fives first base coach Brandon Hyde #16 after hitting a single during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after hitting a single during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Pedro Strop #46 of the Chicago Cubs reacts during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Pedro Strop #46 of the Chicago Cubs reacts during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Pedro Strop #46 of the Chicago Cubs throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Travis Wood #37 of the Chicago Cubs throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after hitting a single during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs hits a single during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Hector Rondon #56 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians hit a three-run home run during the eighth inning in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Manager Joe Maddon #70 talks with Javier Baez #9 and Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs against the Cleveland Indians in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Justin Grimm #52 of the Chicago Cubs throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians reacts after striking out during the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 30: David Ross #3 of the Chicago Cubs catches a foul ball next to Anthony Rizzo #44 in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game Five of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 30, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 30: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after scoring a run in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game Five of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 30, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 30: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game Five of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 30, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 30: Jason Heyward #22 of the Chicago Cubs catches a foul ball in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game Five of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 30, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 30: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs tags out Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians during a stolen base attempt in the sixth inning in Game Five of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 30, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 30: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs turns to umpire Tony Randazzo after Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians struck out to end the game in Game Five of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 30, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 30: Javier Baez #9 (L) and Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs celebrate after beating the Cleveland Indians 3-2 in Game Five of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 30, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 30: The Chicago Cubs celebrate after beating the Cleveland Indians 3-2 in Game Five of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 30, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 30: Fans celebrate after the Chicago Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians 3-2 in Game Five of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 30, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 28: Jason Heyward #22 of the Chicago Cubs reaches on an error in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game Three of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 29: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs attempts to catch a throw from Kris Bryant #17 as Corey Kluber #28 of the Cleveland Indians reaches first base for a single in the second inning in Game Four of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 29, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 29: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with first base coach Brandon Hyde after hitting a single in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game Four of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 29, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 29: Corey Kluber #28 of the Cleveland Indians reacts after the second inning against the Chicago Cubs in Game Four of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 29, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 29: Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians hits a home run in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs in Game Four of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 29, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 29: Francisco Lindor #12 and Rajai Davis #20 of the Cleveland Indians celebrate after beating the Chicago Cubs 7-2 in Game Four of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 29, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 29: Rajai Davis #20 of the Cleveland Indians dives and fails to make a catch in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs in Game Four of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 29, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after Addison Russell #27 (not pictured) hit a two-run RBI double during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with teammate Anthony Rizzo #44 after crashing into Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians to score a run in the first inning on a double hit by Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with Kyle Schwarber #12 and Ben Zobrist #18 after hitting a grand slam home run during the third inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs hits a grand slam home run during the third inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a grand slam home run during the third inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs crashes into Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians to score a run in the first inning on a double hit by Addison Russell #27 (not pictured) in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs crashes into Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians to score a run in the first inning on a double hit by Addison Russell #27 (not pictured) in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with teammate Anthony Rizzo #44 after crashing into Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians (not pictured) to score a run in the first inning on a double hit by Addison Russell #27 (not pictured) in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with teammate Anthony Rizzo #44 after crashing into Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians (not pictured) to score a run in the first inning on a double hit by Addison Russell #27 (not pictured) in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs throws the ball to Javier Baez #9 (not pictured) to force out Lonnie Chisenhall #8 of the Cleveland Indians (not pictured) at second base during the sixth inning in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Aroldis Chapman #54 of the Chicago Cubs forces out Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians at first base to end the seventh inning in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after defeating the Cleveland Indians 9-3 to win Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with Anthony Rizzo #44, Ben Zobrist #18 and Kyle Schwarber #12 after hitting a grand slam home run during the third inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
It appeared that Kyle Hendricks was going to cruise through the bottom of the frame, but an error by Javier Baez allowed the inning to continue. Hendricks didn't seem to mind however, as he induced a fielder's choice by Mike Napoli to get the Cubs out of the inning.
In the bottom of the second, the Indians got two baserunners, but both were cut down by good work by Hendricks. Jose Ramirez was picked off of first base for the first out, and then Lonnie Chisenhall was erased as Rajai Davis grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to get the Cubs out of a potential jam.
Hendricks' quality pitching couldn't save him in the third inning as the Indians tied up the game. Coco Crisp led off the inning with an opposite field double, and after he advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt Carlos Santana drove him in with an RBI single to knot things up at 1-1.
The Indians continued to threaten as Jason Kipnis got on base with another error by Baez, but Hendricks pitched out of it again. He induced a flyout from Lindor and got Napoli to line out to third base to keep the game tied.
Kris Bryant led off the top of the fourth inning with a single, and with the slugger on third base and one out, Addison Russell lifted a high fly ball to center field. Bryant broke for home on the play, and the throw from Rajai Davis was too high to get him as he gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead.
Willson Contreras then came up to bat, and he put a charge into a ball to deep center field. The ball did bounce off the top of the wall, but it was far enough to drive in Ben Zobrist to extend Chicago's lead to 3-1.
The power surge continued for the Cubs in the fifth inning as Baez chased Corey Kluber from the game. Leading off the frame, Baez launched an opposite field home run to put the Cubs ahead 4-1.
Bryant coaxed a walk against new Indians pitcher Andrew Miller, and he showed off his incredible baserunning skills to score yet another run for the Cubs. On a hit-and-run, Rizzo smacked a double to right field, and Bryant hustled all the way around to score the Cubs' fifth run of the evening.
Those runs came in handy as the Indians got a pair of scores back in the bottom of the frame. After Hendricks gave way to Jon Lester, Kipnis reached base on an infield single to put runners on second and third with two outs, and a wild pitch by Lester allowed Santana and Kipnis to score and make it a 5-3 game.
With momentum slipping away, the Cubs got a run right back in the sixth inning, and it was David Ross who did the honors. In his final big league game, Ross drilled a home run over the center field wall to give the Cubs back a 6-3 lead.
That score held until the bottom of the eighth inning as the Indians chipped into Chicago's lead. Jose Ramirez got a two out single off of Lester, and when Aroldis Chapman came into the game, he gave up an RBI double to Brandon Guyer to make it a 6-4 game.
Rajai Davis then stepped into the batter's box and drove a stake into the hearts of Cubs fans. On a two-strike pitch, Davis golfed a home run over the left field wall to tie the game at 6-6.
After Jason Heyward was stranded at third base in the top of the ninth, the Indians had a chance to win in the bottom of the frame, but Chapman worked a 1-2-3 inning to keep the team's chances at a title alive.
After a brief rain delay, the Cubs got the lead-off runner on in the 10th inning and scored the go-ahead run. Zobrist, who has the best batting average of any player in the World Series, smacked an opposite field RBI double to give the Cubs a 7-6 lead.
After an intentional walk to Russell, Miguel Montero came up and delivered another clutch hit, hitting an opposite field single to drive in Rizzo and make it an 8-6 game.
