Chicago Cubs: The play that finally broke the curse

The 2016 World Series was one for the ages. Strong pitching, clutch hitting, and an amazing defense filled the seven game series. But, it was also filled with “cursed” moments for the Chicago Cubs.

We heard about it so many times that we are probably tired of talking about it. The Chicago Cubs came into the Fall Classic having not won it all since 1908. And in 1945, the last time they were in the World Series, a man was not allowed to bring a goat into Wrigley Field. He was so angry that he put a curse on the Cubs, saying they would not win another World Series, ever.

And, we can point to times throughout the Cubs’ history that appear to follow the curse. The ball going through Leo Durham’s legs in the 1984 NLCS. Bartman reaching over and attempting to snatch a ball that Moises Alou could catch. Then a ground-ball traveling through the legs of Alex Gonzalez. The poor showing against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Getting swept by the New York Mets in 2015.

Curse in 2016

All throughout the playoffs this year, you could see the struggle of the Chicago Cubs against some sort of outside influences. Whether the pressure of being the best team in Major League Baseball or the palpable anxiety of the fan base influenced the team, moments that appeared to be fulfilling the curse filled the playoffs. Take a look.

NLDS, Game 2: Kris Bryant commits two errors not the same play in the top of the fifth. Cubs got out of it.

NLDS, Game 3: Two throwing errors by Willson Contreras in the bottom of the eighth. Giants already tied the game prior to this moment, and nothing happened after it.

NLCS, Game 1: Squandering an early three-run lead in the top of the eighth. Miguel Montero took care of that with a grand-slam in the bottom of the inning.

NLCS, Games 2 and 3: Cubs fail to score a single run.

World Series, Game 4: Two errors by Kris Bryant in the second, leading to a run-scoring and the Indians taking a 2-1 lead.

Game 7

To say that there were “curse” moments in Game 7 would be an understatement. In the Bottom of the fifth inning, Chicago Cubs Manager Joe Maddon removed Kyle Hendricks after a two-out walk. In came Jon Lester to pitch, with David Ross behind the plate instead of Contreras. A “swinging-bunt” force Ross to field the ball since Lester is known for not throwing to bases. Ross’s throw passed Anthony Rizzo. With runners on second and third, Lester uncorks a wild pitch, that bounces off Ross. Then, Ross trips as the ball carom around the backstop like a pinball. Two runs scored.

Then comes the bottom of the eighth inning. With a runner on first and two outs, Maddon makes another interesting move. Because of Lester’s issues of holding runners on and wanting to limit any damage done, Maddon brings in Aroldis Chapman. From the first pitch, you could tell that Chapman was worn down from being worked during the series. Looking like a boxer that took too many body blows, Chapman throw balls in the high 90’s, rarely reaching the triple digits shown all season. Drenched in sweat resembling the tears from generations of Chicago Cubs fan, Chapman gave up a RBI double to Brandon Guyer. The seemingly fatal blow of the “curse” followed with Rajai Davis‘s game-tying, two-run home run just over the left-field wall.

Cleveland came all the way back from a 5-1 deficit. The Indians crowd celebrated. The Cubs fans were feeling the anxious terror that awaited them. Surely, the “curse” was proving true.

Tears from Heaven

The game made it through the bottom of the ninth inning. Tied. Extra innings were ahead. But, it started to rain just enough for the officials to halt play. Some called it the tears of Harry Caray and Ron Santo, or of all the Cubs fans that never saw a championship. Maybe it was. Or maybe it was just rain. But, it was the moment that the Cubs needed.

During this delay, Jason Hayward gathered the team aside, reminding them how great they are as a team. The team responded. Kyle Schwarber singled and lifted for pinch runner Albert Almora. Bryant flew out, but Almora tagged up to second. After Rizzo was intentionally walked (a move I will not understand), Ben Zobrist doubled, scoring Almora. A single by Montero added another run and firmly gave the lead to the Cubs.

Death of the Curse

In the epic battle that was Game 7, the bottom of the tenth provided tense moments for Cubs fans around the world. A walk and the taking of second base by Guyer generated a run for the Indians on a single by Davis. The Cubs lead was now 8-7, winning run at the plate.

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In his first at-bat of the game, Michael Martinez grounded a 0-1 pitch to third base. Bryant, a smile on his face in anticipation of what was to come, charged, picking the ball up. Throwing to first, Bryant lost his footing on the wet grass. One last attempt for the curse to win out. The ball sailed high, but Rizzo snatched it and kept a foot on the bag. The game over. The World Series won, and the Cubs victorious.

The “curse” is over.

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