Chicago Cubs: Ranking the best moments of the 2016 season

Nov 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A Chicago Cubs fan takes a picture of the marquee after game seven of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians outside of Wrigley Field. Cubs won 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A Chicago Cubs fan takes a picture of the marquee after game seven of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians outside of Wrigley Field. Cubs won 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A Chicago Cubs fan takes a picture of the marquee after game seven of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians outside of Wrigley Field. Cubs won 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A Chicago Cubs fan takes a picture of the marquee after game seven of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians outside of Wrigley Field. Cubs won 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

In a year capped by a World Series championship, the Chicago Cubs put together countless memorable moments, ranging from walk-off wins to no-hitters.

When we all sit down and talk about the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 season, there’s one moment we’ll always remember. Kris Bryant coming in on a chopper, throwing across the diamond to Anthony Rizzo and ending American sports’ longest title drought.

The streets of Wrigleyville were teeming with exuberant fans, celebrating the long-awaited championship. Grown men sobbed in the middle of crowded bars. The championship parade ranked as one of the largest gatherings in the history of mankind.

That’s Cub.

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But long before the dust settled on one of the greatest comebacks in baseball history, this team was hard at work making memories. Walk-off home runs and Jake Arrieta‘s no-hitter highlighted the regular season wins.

Joe Maddon entered the season as reigning NL Manager of the Year – and he showed why throughout the grind of the 2016 campaign, as well. Arrieta carried his dominance from 2015 into last year, resulting in a historic run of starts at the Friendly Confines.

Addison Russell emerged as an elite talent on both sides of the diamond, finally stepping up his offensive skills to his elite glove work. Miguel Montero stepped up to deliver several game-winning blasts, despite serving in a reduced role for much of the year.

That’s not to mention the sheer dominance of Aroldis Chapman in the second half. Watching him blow hitters away with 103 mph heaters impressed, even after witnessing it for weeks on-end.

In all, the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 season was the stuff of legend; and with good reason. It left us with enough memories to last a lifetime – which is more than most Cubs fans ever got over the past century.