2016 World Series
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| 2016 World Series | |
|---|---|
 Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain · source | |
| Year | 2016 |
| Champion | Chicago Cubs |
| Champion manager | Joe Maddon |
| Champion games | 103–58, .640, GA: 17.5 |
| Runner up | Cleveland Indians |
| Runner up manager | Terry Francona |
| Runner up games | 94–67, .584, GA: 8 |
| Date | October 25 – November 2 |
| Mvp | Ben Zobrist (Chicago Cubs) |
| Umpires | John Hirschbeck (crew chief), Marvin Hudson, Tony Randazzo, Joe West, Sam Holbrook, Chris Guccione |
| Television | Fox (United States), Sportsnet (Canada) |
| Announcers | Joe Buck and John Smoltz (Fox) |
| Radio | ESPN Radio |
| Radio announcers | Dan Shulman and Aaron Boone |
| ALCS | Cleveland Indians over Toronto Blue Jays (4–1) |
| NLCS | Chicago Cubs over Los Angeles Dodgers (4–2) |
| ALCS short | ALCS |
| NLCS short | NLCS |
2016 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2016 season. The 112th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the National League (NL) champion Chicago Cubs and the American League (AL) champion Cleveland Indians. The Cubs defeated the Indians four games to three to win their first title since 1908, ending the longest championship drought in North American professional sports history. The Indians were seeking their first title since 1948.
Background
The Chicago Cubs, led by president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and manager Joe Maddon, were in the midst of a historic rebuild. The team featured a young core including Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Addison Russell, supplemented by key veterans like Jon Lester and David Ross. They won a MLB-best 103 games, dominating the NL Central. The Cleveland Indians, managed by Terry Francona, won the AL Central with a 94–67 record. Their strength was a dominant pitching staff led by Corey Kluber, supported by a formidable bullpen featuring Andrew Miller and Cody Allen. Both franchises carried storied histories of postseason heartbreak, with the Cubs famously cursed by the Billy Goat Curse and the Indians having last won a title during the Harry Truman administration.
Summary of the series
The series opened at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Corey Kluber pitched a shutout in Game 1 for a 6–0 Indians win, and Chicago Cubs were shut out again in Game 2 by Josh Tomlin and the bullpen, losing 5–1. The scene shifted to Wrigley Field for the first World Series games there since 1945. The Cubs broke through in Game 3 with a 5–2 victory behind Kyle Hendricks and Aroldis Chapman. John Lackey and the Cubs evened the series in Game 4 with a 7–2 win, highlighted by a Kris Bryant home run. Corey Kluber returned to win Game 5 3–2 for Cleveland, putting the Cubs on the brink of elimination back at Progressive Field.
Facing elimination in Game 6, the Cubs' offense erupted. Addison Russell drove in six runs, including a grand slam, and Jake Arrieta pitched into the seventh inning of a 9–3 rout, forcing a decisive Game 7. The finale became an instant classic. The Cubs took an early 5–1 lead, but the Indians, sparked by an Rajai Davis home run off Aroldis Chapman, tied the game 6–6 in the eighth inning. The game went into extra innings before a brief rain delay. After play resumed, Ben Zobrist hit an RBI double in the tenth inning, and Miguel Montero added a run-scoring single. The Indians scored once in the bottom half, but Mike Montgomery recorded the final out, securing an 8–7 victory and the championship for the Cubs.
Aftermath and legacy
The victory ended the Cubs' 108-year championship drought, prompting a massive celebration in Chicago and a parade attended by an estimated five million people. Ben Zobrist was named World Series MVP. For the Indians, the loss extended their own title drought, which would end with their name change to the Cleveland Guardians in 2022. The series is widely regarded as one of the greatest in baseball history, noted for its dramatic narrative, back-and-forth action, and historic significance. Key moments, such as the rain delay and Rajai Davis's home run, have become indelible parts of World Series lore. The Cubs' core would remain competitive, while the Indians/Guardians continued to be a perennial contender in the American League.
See also
* Curse of the Billy Goat * 1908 World Series * 1948 World Series * Cleveland Guardians * List of World Series champions * Game 7
References
Category:2016 World Series Category:Chicago Cubs postseason Category:Cleveland Indians postseason Category:2016 in sports in Illinois Category:2016 in sports in Ohio