108 long years of pain and sorrow. Erased with the flick of a wrist from third baseman, Kris Bryant to capture the final out on November 2nd 2016. The Chicago Cubs World Series drought was an amazing feat, with curses, riots and everything else above. It tore and brought the city of Chicago together countless times. 108 years, lifelong die-hard fans were going their entire lives without seeing their team get that ring, baseball is a huge thing in Chicago, you won’t go down any street without seeing W flags and different advertisements and promotions involving the Cubs. The Cubs are often the people of Chicago’s entire life and passion, they truly bleed blue and red. 108 years, two different world wars, the moon landing, Vietnam, 9/11, MLK’s entire civil rights movement, generations of family, presidents, and even new states were events, just to name a few of the things that went on while Cubs fans had to wait. The 2016 Chicago Cubs World Series is undoubtedly a true example of triumph and tragedy for these Cubs fans, not only even in Chicago, but everywhere. Even non-Cubs fans were affected by this drought, the Cubs were branded the lovable losers throughout the country and baseball community as well. It is very safe to say as well, that a very large part of the United States was affected by the Cubs’ misfortune and ultimate success.
You may be asking how a Major League Baseball team could possibly be written on the same list of ‘triumph and tragedy’ examples in Chicago such as the Great Chicago fire, or the Illinois Black Panther party. It is simple, triumph and tragedy are quite literally defined by dictionary.com as “the act, fact, or condition of being victorious or triumphant; victory; conquest. a significant success or noteworthy achievement; instance or occasion of victory. exultation resulting from victory; joy over success. Often comes from tragedy, and/or results in another's tragedy” (Dictionary, 2019)
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These Cubs were a prime example of triumph that comes from years of tragedy, but first I want to discuss the Chicago Cubs history, and the tragedies they came from over the 108-year span building up to. The start of the Cubs began all the way back in 1876, when the Chicago White Stockings premiered as one of the 8 official teams and founders in the National League led by their president William A. Hulbert (Cubs, 2016). Years later in 1902 lead by their new manager Frank Selee, this still young team in a developing new league, was first printed the name ‘Cubs’ by a little old newspaper company called the ‘Chicago Tribune’ (ESPN, 2016). The alias was then finally adopted in 1907, and is one of the longest running and beloved. And of course, just as they adopted the Cubs name and became the team we know today, they posted an all-time win record in the MLB that still stands today: they had 116 wins and only 36 losses, but just as soon as they started, their amazing record breaking season, lost in the World Series 4 games to 2, to the Chicago White Sox…Of course.
But there was light! The Cubs went on to win two consecutive World Series under player manager Frank Chance. But their hot streak would end there…. For over an entire century. No one could have imagined at the time that this dominant team, with the resources and funds (at the time) in the second largest city in the country, could go more than 100 years without winning a championship. One thing that also needs to be clear is that the Cubs over these years were not always bad, they continued to win pennants regularly for a while but would lose World Series and were knocked out of the playoffs constantly (MLB, 2016). In 1910, they won their fourth pennant in 5 years but failed to capitalize and lost the World Series to Philly. The Cubs eventually moved to the northside instead of the west in 1914, it took over as the iconic Wrigley field in 1927. 1918, another great Cubs’ season, but another World Series loss. 1932 Babe Ruth calls his homerun, an Iconic moment in baseball. Who was it against? The Cubs, in the World Series…. Yeah, they lost that one too.
Not long after Wrigley really became iconic Wrigley Field with the addition of the ivy in 1937 (Wrigleyville). But that following year in 1938 the Chicago Cubs indeed went to, and lost, another World Series. And their luck did not and would not turn around. In 1945 the ever feared ‘Billy Goat curse’ was officially casted upon the Cubs, and it wasn’t gonna leave for another 71 years. With a major league-best 98 wins. Led by league MVP Phil Cavarretta, Chicago featured one of the best offenses in baseball, and the pitching staffs 2.98 ERA was now the second best in the league. Up against the Tigers in the World Series, the Cubs went on to win two of the first three games. But during Game 4 at Wrigley, Billy Sianis, who was the owner of the nearby Billy Goat Tavern, was asked to leave the game because the smell of his pet goat, Murphy, who was bothering the other fans. Sianis did leave but only after angrily pronouncing, “Them Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more” (MLB,2016). Chicago proceeded to lose Games 4 and 5, but then stayed alive with a Game 6 victory. Then sadly, but expectedly, in the winner-take-all Game 7, the Cubs gave up five runs in the first inning en route to a 9–3 loss. Sianis’s hex would go to live on as the Curse of the Billy Goat, keeping the Cubs out of the World Series until 2016. Up until then the Cubs were always a good team with a feared offense, pitching lineup, and good managers. They could compete and win many games, and ultimately make the World Series many times compared to most teams, but they just could not win!
1947, then began the Cubs worst stretch in franchise history. For a whole 20 seasons starting in 1947, the Chicago cubs would go on to never end up finishing a season better than .500 or place higher than fifth, in the now 10-team National League. And along the way, the Cubs then twice set a franchise record for losses, finishing 59–103 in 1962, and again in 1966 (ESPN, 2016). Their 1962 season came in the midst of the team’s ridiculous ‘college of coaches’ experiment (Cubs, 2016) in which a rotating cast of coaches would lead the club. Chicago finished 42 games out of first place, outdone only by the expansion New York Mets, who lost a record 120 games in their inaugural year.
But not everything was horrible for the Cubs. Hall of famer Ernie Banks made his debut in 1953. Over a 19-year career spent entirely on the Chicago Cubs, Banks won two MVP awards, named an All-Star 12 times, hit 512 home runs and played spectacular defense at shortstop and then later in his career played at first base and was en route to the Hall of Fame. ‘Mr. Cub’, as he was then universally known, was a large and hopeful presence during the franchise’s darkest years, despite the fact that he never played in a single postseason game with the Cubs. Chicago's long sad stretch of seasons finally came to an end in the 1968 when it started its first run of winning seasons since 1947. Although the even longer postseason drought was still in place, it was a nice start. 1969 was now due to be Chicago’s big year, they jumped to a hot winning streak and were having a very good season with players like Ron Santo, Fergie Jenkins, and Billy Williams. They were at one point a solid 8xand a half games ahead in the NL East, but a black cat that appeared on the field during a loss to the Mets on September 9, which was part of an eight-game losing streak for Chicago. The Mets then went on to beat the Atlanta Braves in the first NLCS and then the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles in the World Series for their first championship.
Years later, 1984 marks the Cub’s first season back in the playoffs. Their long, long, postseason drought was finally over for their fans and players. Led by NL MVP Ryne Sandberg at the plate and NL Cy Young Award winner Rick Sutcliffe, the Cubs were up against the Padres in the NLCS. And took a 2–0 lead in the best-of-five series. But Chicago lost the next three games in San Diego (MLB, 2016), including a Game 5 defeat that is best remembered for a ground ball going through the legs of first baseman Leon Durham as part of a four run seventh that gave the Padres a 6-3 lead that became the final score. Not too long after a tough but promising season, Wrigley Field finally got lights! The Chicago Cubs got to play their first night game on August 8th 1988. But this was not Chicago trying to make money or get rid of the problem of dark days and nightfall. This was due to the Cubs hinting that the team would leave Wrigley if the city did not allow the installation of lights and the playing of night games, and with MLB threatening to move playoff games if the Cubs didn’t go electric, they were able to come to an agreement. But that following year the Cubs young stars like G.O.A.T. Greg Maddux, Mark Grace and Shawon Dunston who really helped complement the veteran core of the team like Sandberg, Sutcliffe and NL MVP Andre Dawson to carry the Cubs to their second NL East crown in six seasons. Chicago won 93 games in the NL and was matched against the NL West champion giants in the championship series. San Francisco split the first two games at Wrigley Field then came back from early deficits to win all three games at Candlestick Park and advance to the World Series. The curses continue.
The early to mid-90’s were a very forgettable period of time for the Cubs organization. But the emergence of two new superstars on the Cub’s in 1998, Kerry Wood the right hander who announced his authority by tying the strikeout record in his rookie year, and Sammy Sosa who was acquired on a trade. Sammy went on to the iconic battle first baseman Mark McGwire for the single season home run record. Sammy came in second with 66 home runs in a single season, under Mark’s 70. The Cubs went on to win their Wild Card game, but were once again sent home in the NLDS.
2003. A new generation baseball, and a new way of life. Two last place seasons in a row before this would have but the Cubs automatically in everyone's doubts, but the addition of 22-year-old made pitcher named Mark Prior, teamed up with Kerry Wood, made the Cubs regular season a huge success. After finally winning their first postseason series since 1945. But the playoffs were not over, they still had the NLCS against the marlins. The Cubs won 3 of the 4 games played so far in the series, and it was looking like the curse could finally have a chance of being broken. After the Cubs lost Game 5 in Florida, the infamous Steve Bartman’s game was played on October 14, 2003. The Cubs had a 3-0 lead with only five outs to go and the deadly Mark Prior on the mound in Game 6 at Wrigley Field. But with one out and one on in the eighth inning, a fan named Steve Bartman interfered with a Luis Castillo foul popup in the leftfield stands (Tribune, 2013), preventing Moises Alou from catching it for the second out. Castillo then drew a walk, sparking an eight-run rally against an exhausted Prior and the Cubs’ bullpen as the Marlins won 8-3. This night and the eventual loss of the series resulted in countless Chicago riots, murderous threats against Mr. Bartman. When it happened, many Cubs fans began pointing toward Bartman, repeatedly chanting 'asshole'. Bartman had to be led away from the park under security escort for his own safety as tons of Cubs fans shouted insults toward him and others threw garbage, with one fan dumping a cup of beer on him (CNN, 2003). Security escorted Bartman to the game toward the exit tunnel from the field. News footage of the game showed him surrounded by security as passersby pelted him with drinks and other things. Bartman's name, as well as personal information about him, appeared on Major League Baseball's message boards minutes after the game ended. As many as six police cars gathered outside his home to protect Bartman and his family following the incident. He was suggested to join the witness protection, while Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida offered asylum for Steve.
Mark prior’s pitching mechanics hurt his body and ultimately ended his career, Kerry Wood was still a threat but could never go back to his prime play as he got older. The Cubs really just plain old sucked in the seasons to come after the miracle season in 2003.
2011 was the year the Cubs got the best person they possibly could, someone who would change the Cubs history and ultimately lead them to a championship. And guess what, it wasn't a player. The Chicago Cubs brought in Theo Epstein, who was responsible for the rebuild the of the Red Sox team that had ended its 86-year title drought in 2004 and won another World Series in 2007, as president of baseball operations. Under Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer, the Cubs began the long process of rebuilding, coming off a 101-loss season in 2012, but acquiring the prospects and pieces needed to quickly turn this Cubs team into an actual championship contender.
2015 is when the Cubs whole rebuilding process seemed to be over, and the Cubs could focus on winning again. 107 years later. Chicago’s youth then began to flourish in 2015, when the Cubs won 97 games before beating the Pirates in their wildcard game and the rival Cardinals in the Division Series to reach the NLCS for the first time since the upsetting 2003 season. Although they were swept by the Mets. In 2016, the Cubs were even better, winning 103 games—the franchise’s most since the 1910 Cubs squad that won 104 games and ran away with the NL Central. With a rotation lead by Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and defending NL Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, and a powerful offense led by NL MVP favorite Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, Chicago easily finished with the best record in baseball, then topped the Giants in the Division Series to reach the NLCS for the second straight year.
The 71-year drought is now over: The Cubs are National League champions once again. Down two games to one in the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago rallied to win the next three games, clinching the series with a Game 6 victory at Wrigley Field against three-time NL Cy Young Clayton Kershaw. The victory gave the Cubs their first pennant since 1945, the year of the Billy Goat Curse, and a berth in the World Series against the American League champion Cleveland Indians, who entered the postseason looking to end a world championship drought of their own, one that stretches to 1948.
2016. It’s finally happened, the Cubs are now World Series champions. Playing in its first Fall Classic in 71 years, Chicago defeated the Indians in seven games, coming back from a 3–1 series deficit to claim their first title since 1908. The Cubs ripped off three straight wins to clinch this championship, including the final two games in Cleveland, with Chicago taking an early Game 7 lead and holding off several of the Indians rallies to secure the victory. The long-awaited championship ends the longest title drought in North American professional sports history and ends the Cubs' streak of seven straight World Series losses dating back to 1910.
It becomes very clear after learning this franchises history just how heartbreaking is, not only for the fans but for staff, presidents, coaches and players. Especially Ernie Banks who had phenomenal seasons and played at a very elite rate, but even this hall of fame legend was no match for the Cubs long, hard, and complicated past. Including multiple curses and hexes, and maybe just plain old bad luck. It’s clear to see the tragedy for this organization, but you do not realize the ultimate triumph it took the 2016 Chicago Cubs to actually go ahead and win their first World Series, something no other team has accomplished in 108 years!
And they won it with their backs against the wall, with an extra innings Game 7, winner takes all game against a very elite team who did not make it easy by any means. But above all the skill it took that team to actually win the World Series, you have to note how this team actually brought the entire city of Chicago and areas around together. I remember walking into school the next day, a bit tired from staying out to watch the entire game that went into extra innings, on a school night, which was unheard of for me, it seems the only thing that could have swayed my mom was her understanding of how important this was to Chicago and its fans.
Teachers were cheery and happy and easy going, even the non-cub fan teachers understood and let us celebrate. The next day was the Cubs parade, where over 5 million people, took off school, or took off work, to come witness history. If you were there you knew just how happy and loving the environment was, which was weird for Chicago. If you were wearing your Cubs clothes, then you were friends with any single person there. A troubling city that is always branded for its violence and hate was brought together as 1 for a day, all thanks to the most triumphant piece of Chicago’s history.
That parade ended up being the 7th largest gathering of humans ever on record. That should say something. This 2016 team will not only be remembered for breaking the curse, or the amazing World Series that they played, but the good they did for Chicago, and the best fans in the world.
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