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Game 7 the Hard Way: Cubs Win World Series Title After Epic Comeback

CHICAGO 8, CLEVELAND 7: Chicago blew an 8th-inning lead but rallied to beat the Indians in the 10th.

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CLEVELAND, OH — No more curses. No more jokes. No more reputation as lovable losers. But most important, no more misery for the fans of a storied baseball franchise who have suffered more than a century without a World Series title.

After 108 years, the Chicago Cubs can finally call themselves champions after beating the Cleveland Indians, 8-7, in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series on Wednesday.

But the game — and the series — almost didn't turn out that way after overworked closer Aroldis Chapman blew a three-run lead in the eighth inning that led to a 6-6 tie. Chicago needed an RBI double by second baseman Ben Zobrist and a run-scoring single by catcher Miguel Montero in the 10th inning grab an 8-6 lead. The Indians scored a run in the bottom of the 10th, but that wasn't enough.

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As sweet as it was for the Cubs to finally capture that elusive World Series crown, the route they took to get there over the past seven games was agonizing. Not only did Chicago have to bounce back in Game 7, the team also had overcome a 3-1 series deficit to even get to Wednesday's decisive game.

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The impressive elements that helped the Cubs win the National League pennant — as well as a few of the self-destructive elements that gave Chicago its reputation as a perpetually snake-bitten organization — were on display. On the mound, starter Kyle Hendricks gave up only two runs off four hits in 4-2/3 innings. At the plate, the top of the Cubs' batting order — Dexter Fowler, Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo — punished Cleveland's fans.

Zobrist, who won a championship last year with the Kansas City Royals, won his second consecutive World Series MVP. And even though Chapman lost Chicago's initial lead in the game, he did pick up the win for the Cubs.

The North Siders' last appearance in the Fall Classic was in 1945, and they lost to the Detroit Tigers in seven games. But Wednesday's victory exorcised that demon, as well as the Curse of the Billy Goat, Ron Santo's black cat and Steve Bartman.

W: Aroldis Chapman | L: Bryan Shaw

Memorable Game Moment: Center fielder Dexter Fowler's leadoff home run to start the game. His shot over the centerfield wall made Cubs Nation believe that this year truly was the year.

Memorable Postgame Moment: Tearful Chicago Cubs players celebrating winning a hard-fought World Series title on the infield grass of Progressive Field. It was especially touching to see retiring catcher David Ross hoisted on the shoulders of his teammates and carried around the field.

Wins Needed to Break the Curse: 0

Next Game: at St. Louis Cardinals, 3:15 p.m. April 3, 2017

Cubs fans celebrate Chicago's Game 2 World Series victory Wednesday, Oct. 26 at Progressive Field in Cleveland. (photo by Rick Uldricks | Patch Cleveland)

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