Cubs win World Series breaking 108 year curse
Top Left: Cody Allen throws the final out in game four of the World Series. Photo by: cbssports.com. Top Right: 5 Million people attended the Cubs parade in Chicago. Photo by: suntimes.com. Bottom: The Chicago Cubs celebrate after winning the World Series and ending the 108 year curse. Photo by: espn.com
By Edward Lennon// Staff Writer
In 1908, Theodore Roosevelt was the President of the United States, women did not have suffrage, the Ford Model T was just introduced to the world. This was the last time the Cubs won the World Series before defeating the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday, Nov. 2, ending the 108 year Curse of the Bill Goat.
On Oct. 6, 1945, William Sianis, owner of local Chicago bar, Billy Goat Tavern, was asked to leave the Cubs’ World Series game against the Detroit Tiger because other fans complained about the odor of his pet goat, Murphy. As he was being removed from Wrigley Field, Sianis put the curse on the Cubs.
“Them Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more,” allegedly yelled by Sianis, meaning that the would not win another National League Championship or another World Series.
As time progressed, Sianis’ family mentioned that he sent the owner of the Cubs a telegram, saying the Cubs will not win this World Series or another World Series because his goat was insulted.
Some individuals thought this was legitimate, and some thought it was insane. Regardless, the Chicago Cubs were unlucky for decades.
In September 1969, the Cubs and New York Mets were playing in a crucial game, one that could determine National League standing. With the game very close, a stray black cat, a symbol of bad luck, walked by the Cubs’ dugout. The Mets went on to defeat the Cubs, eventually topping the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series. Events proving the legitimacy of the curse continued in 1984. The Cubs were leading the San Diego Padres two games to none in the N.L. Pennant, which was a best of five series at the time. Cubs’ first baseman Leo Durham made an error, allowing the Padres to score and take the lead, eventually defeating the Cubs in the pennant and advancing to the World Series.
The most recent event is labeled as the Steve Bartman Incident. It was the eighth inning of game six in the National League Championship Series, Cubs having a three games to two lead over the Florida Marlins in a best of seven series. With the Cubs up by three runs, Steve Bartman, a Cubs fan, accidentally interfered with a ball in play, allowing the Marlins to rally, scoring eight runs and winning game six. The Marlins went on to defeat the Cubs, and eventually conquered the New York Yankees in the World Series. The Cubs suffered from various instances of bad luck, keeping fans in misery for decades, generations of Cubs fans lived and died without seeing their team win a World Series, or even an N.L. Pennant.
After a strong 2015 season and making it to the postseason, a majority of MLB experts deemed the Cubs as the favorite to win the 2016 World Series. Heading into the 2016 season, the Cubs were lead by reigning N.L. Manager of the Year Joe Maddon, all-stars Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, and reigning N.L. Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta. Their players were confident, fans excited and the whole baseball community was anxious to see if this year was the year. Having seven players selected to the National League All-Star roster, the Cubs were dominant. Going on to win 103 games and the National League Pennant for the first time since 1945, the Cubs played the Cleveland Indians in the 2016 World Series.
The Cubs’ chances did not look too good. Trailing the Indians three games to one in a best of seven series, the Cubs sent veteran Jon Lester to the mound in game five, the first elimination game of the series. The Cubs prevailed with the excellent performances of Lester and closer Aroldis Chapman. Facing elimination again in game six, Jake Arrieta put on a strong performance, with shortstop Addison Russell contributing six RBIs, including a grand slam, to the Cubs victory over the Indians, nine to three, forcing a game seven.
Arguably the most anticipated baseball game of all time, it went down as one of the best World Series games ever. In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Cubs were leading six to three, calling upon Chapman, who was dominant in the past two games, to hold their lead. Unexpectedly, he gave up a run, shrinking their lead to two runs. Then, Indians’ Rajai Davis hit a game-tying two-run homer. Optimistic Cubs fans everywhere went silent, returning to the nerves that they experienced for seasons. With each team being held scoreless in the ninth, the game went to extra innings, both teams with six runs. Ben Zobrist doubled in Albert Almora Jr., breaking the tie. Catcher Miguel Montero drove in Anthony Rizzo from third base, extending their lead. Carl Edwards Jr. got the first two Indians out, putting the Cubs one out away from winning their first World Series in 108 years. An Indian walked, advancing to second on fielder’s indifference. Rajai Davis drove in another run, making the game a run closer. Mike Montgomery relieved Edwards and got the last out for Cubs, a ground out to third base. The Chicago Cubs were yet again World Series Champions. The curse was over.
Despite having a huge impact on the Cubs organization and the MLB, the Cubs championship was so important to their committed fans and the city of Chicago. The victory affected people across the country, especially two High Point University students. Junior Erin Creedon, a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and Chicago resident, was brought to tears when the team won.
“The Cubs’ victory was special to me because I grew up going to about five games a year at Wrigley Field with my family,” Creedon said. “The Cubs helped me get so close to my father because he taught everything I know about baseball.”
Creedon explained how the Cubs are not just a baseball team for her and her family, but a big component to their unity. She believes that some of her favorite memories with her family were at Wrigley Field. Creedon is amazed and so happy that she was able to witness a piece of history.
HPU freshman Ben Lodewyk, another Chicago resident and die-hard Cubs fan, explained the personal impact the Cubs’ World Series victory had on him.
“For me personally, the victory was so meaningful because it united Chicago,” Lodewyk said. “From the young to the old, everybody was brought together by the team finally bringing another World Series trophy back to Cubs fans.”
The Cubs’ victory parade attendance was estimated to be around five million. This is labeled as the seventh largest human gathering in history. Lodewyk was one of those five million.
“I was able to see the city’s reaction and excitement firsthand,” Lodewyk said. “It was amazing to see everyone united.”
The longest drought between championships in professional sports was finally over, millions were united, and Cubs fans that have been waiting decades were able to see their team win. The Chicago Cubs World Series victory was not just an event in the baseball community, but an American one.