The Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series, ending a 108-year championship drought — the longest in North American professional sports.
Game 7 Epic
November 2, 2016: Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. The Cubs trailed 3-1 in the series, then won Games 5, 6, and an epic Game 7:
- Down 3-1 in 8th inning
- Rain delay before 10th (17-minute break)
- Ben Zobrist RBI double in 10th
- Miguel Montero RBI single
- Final score: Cubs 8, Indians 6 (10 innings)
Manager Joe Maddon. MVP Ben Zobrist. Javier Báez, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo core. 108 years since 1908.
The Curse
The “Curse of the Billy Goat” began in 1945 when tavern owner Billy Sianis and his goat were ejected from Wrigley Field. He allegedly cursed: “The Cubs ain’t gonna win no more.”
What followed: 71 years without World Series appearance. Steve Bartman interference (2003). Decades of heartbreak. “Wait ‘til next year” became Chicago mantra.
Cultural Moment
Five million attended parade. Bill Murray (lifelong fan) cried in stands. “Go Cubs Go” blared across city. Theo Epstein (who also broke Red Sox curse) became legend. Harry Caray’s “Holy Cow!” echoed from beyond.
The drought ended. Chicago wept. Wrigley Field finally saw celebration.
Source: MLB.com