Chicago Cubs win World Series for the first time in 108 years

          1945 and 1948 may seem like lives ago, but that was the last time Americans saw the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians snatch the title of Major League Baseball’s World Series Champions. Combine the years that these teams have yet to win another World Series, and it totals to 176 years.

          There are seven games in the World Series, and if a team wins four games, they are declared the champions. Both teams get the chance to play at their home fields, where their dedicated and enthusiastic fans deck themselves out in team colors and jerseys.

         Game one was played at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Oct. 25, giving the Indians a home-field advantage. The Indians surely prospered at home, as they beat the Cubs 6-0. The Cubs faced challenges early on with a walk from Carlos Santana to load the bases. Two hits scored two runs, and the game became 2-0 with the Indians in the lead. In the last inning, Roberto Perez hit a home run to bring in three more runs, ending the game 6-0 with an Indians victory.

          The next day was a new day and a new game for the Cubs. With a rejuvenated spark, the Cubs came back, showing that they are meant to be one of the last teams standing. Anthony Rizzo’s double brought in Kris Bryant to score the first run for the Cubs in the World Series. The Cubs keep scoring, and even though the Indians score one run in the bottom of the sixth, it was not enough for the Indians to win back-to-back games. The Cubs earned a W in the scoreboard.

          On Oct. 28, game three took place at Wrigley field in Chicago, Illinois— a home game for the Cubs. A single by Coco Crisp scored Michael Martinez in the top of the seventh, making the game’s only run. It was a close and low-scoring game, but the Indians took it.

          Oct. 29 included game four, with the Indians ahead in the Series. With the score 2-1, Rizzo whacked a ball to center, allowing Fowler to score and giving the Cubs an early lead. With a leadoff home run from Santana, and the game was tied. A pop fly to center, and Francisco Lindor scored from third for the Indians. Fowler hit a homerun, and the Indians came out on top 7-2.

          The Indians had the chance to take the whole series on Oct. 30, but they fell short. This game was back at Progressive Field, and was described as a “nail biter’ by fans of both teams. Jose Ramirez beamed a home run to left field for an early lead. A double from Cubs’ favorite, Rizzo allowed the Cubs to tie the game. After the fourth inning, the Cubs were in the lead 3-1. Lindor’s single to center field scored Rajai Davis, leaving the Cubs with a lead of only one run. The game remained scoreless and the Cubs won 3-2.

          Nov. 1 saw the sixth game in the series. Again, the Indians had the chance to win it all. Rizzo sent a ball to right-center and the Cubs were on the board with two runs.

          The Cubs were the underdogs, but many predicted they would come back and win two games. Others thought the Indians would win the game on Nov. 1 and take home the whole series. Cubs were up 3-0 with the bases loaded. It was the perfect scenario, as Russell bombed a grand slam to bring in four more runs. The Cubs were up 7-0, but the Indians’ Jason Kipnis hit a solo home run and put the Indians somewhat in the game. With a Cubs win of 9-2, it looked like a dramatic game seven was inbound.

          To start things off, Fowler hit a solo homer, putting Chicago on the board. The Indians soon scored also, but it was no match for all the runs the Cubs put up, making it 5-1 during the fifth inning. However, a wild pitch then scored two Indians’ runners on second and third base. The Indians suddenly regained life.

          Another run by the Cubs, and it was 6-3. What happened next was incredible; Indians’ player, Rajai Davis hit a home run, bringing in three runs to tie the game, taking it to a whole new place. The timely hit sparked an incredible reaction among all Indians fans, especially within the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Lebron James. Nine innings were over, but the score remained tied, forcing extra innings.

          As the tenth inning was about to start, rain poured down. Fans may have viewed this as unfortunate, but Cubs players held a meeting led by right fielder, Jason Heyward that really helped them, as they were so close to becoming World series champs. He encouraged them on and inspired them to go out and win. A continuous string of hits scored the Cubs two runs in the tenth inning. Two walks and a RBI single scored one for the Indians. With one more out needed to win, a ground ball to third base ended it, and the Cubs had done it.

          Cubs fans across the nations were ecstatic, as what they had been waiting for all their life had finally happened. Older fans thought they would never see such a thing in their lifetime. After a remarkable seven games, Cubs fans can now say the last time their team won the World Series was in 2016, no longer in the pitiful year of 1908.