Contreras, ex-Cubs salute Braves' World Series win originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
On the five-year anniversary of the Cubs winning their first World Series in 108 years, another club ended its championship drought.
The Braves knocked off the Astros in Game 6 of the Fall Classic for their first title in 26 years. After a resurgent second half, Atlanta made an incredible run through October (and into November).
Several familiar faces contributed to that run; former Cubs Joc Pederson, Jorge Soler and Jesse Chavez all came up in key moments for the Braves. Soler was named World Series MVP.
Some of the best reactions to Atlanta winning came from current and ex-Cubs. Take Rob Zastryzny, Soler's Cubs teammate in 2016, for example.
Zastryzny faced Soler in the minor leagues after the Cubs traded the slugger to the Royals in December 2016. He recalled Soler taking him deep one game and even found video of the moment.
Kyle Schwarber also tipped his cap to Soler, his Cubs teammate from 2015-16.
Jason Kipnis signed a minor-league deal with Atlanta this spring after his 2020 stint with the Cubs, and spent the entire 2021 season in the minors.
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He had a hilarious reaction to just missing out getting his first World Series ring; Kipnis lost the Fall Classic in 2016 while with Cleveland.
Braves catcher William Contreras won his first ring exactly five years after his brother, Cubs catcher Willson Contreras — who offered William love on Instagram after Game 6. He also attended Game 3 in Atlanta.
RELATED: Contreras brothers chasing Molinas as first family of MLB catching
Sometimes, a picture tells a thousand words, like one Joc Pederson tweeted.
Pederson, the first player the Cubs traded in their July selloff, has now won back-to-back championships, by the way.
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