Cubs Win World Series and Break Curse

BY DYLAN BESTLER

“The Chicago Cubs are World Series Champions:” the phrase sports fans thought they would never hear.

The Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians Wednesday night 8-7 in the 10th inning of game seven to win the World Series and break the 108-year drought.

The Cubs last World Series appearance was in 1945 and their last World Series win was in 1908. This was the longest drought in American sports history. The longest drought now is ironically held by the Cleveland Indians, who haven’t won since 1948.

Ben Zobrist had the big hit for the Cubs last night, slapping one down the third base line in the top of the tenth inning to drive in Albert Almora Jr and break the 6-6 tie. Almora Jr. pinch ran for Kyle Schwarber after he led off the inning with a single. Next batter, Miguel Montero hit one through the left side to score Anthony Rizzo from third to put the Cubs up 8-6. Zobrist, who hit .357, drove in two and scored five runs, was named the World Series MVP.

“Our team is unbelievable, every guy top to bottom,” Zobrist said after the game. “We just battle and root for each other and I’m blessed to win this trophy. Just to be out on this field and be a Chicago Cub, I couldn’t say anything more.”

Over 40 million people tuned in to watch this final game between the Cubs and the Indians; the highest amount of viewers in the past 25 years. The only two games in history to have a higher viewing were game six and seven of the 1991 World Series between the Braves and Twins. On average, this was the most watched series since the 2004 World Series, where the Boston Red Sox beat St. Louis Cardinals in four games to break their curse of 86 years.

The Cubs World Series drought was widely credited to a curse spawned in 1945 by William Sianis, owner of a local pub called the Billy Goat Tavern. When he brought his billy goat to Wrigley Field for Game 4 of the 1945 World Series he was asked to leave due to the animal’s odor. Sianis swore then that the Cubs would never win another World Series. It had already been 37 years and indeed the team would go another 71 before finally snapping the streak this year.