Chicago Cubs: Fans giving thanks after magical 2016

As Thanksgiving approaches, we look at the many reasons that Chicago Cubs fans have reason to be thankful this year.

So much has happened to the Chicago Cubs in the last month.  As Thanksgiving arrives, it is only fitting for the millions of Cubs fans to give thanks and reflect on this World Series win, the first one since 1908. I am sure the players and those in the organization are extremely grateful to finally bring a Title to Chicago.

This has been a magical season. This team has fought through adversity, in games, to come out on top. During the summer the Cubs won a thriller on national television, 7-6 in extra innings over Seattle, on a perfectly placed Jon Lester bunt which scored Jason Heyward from third on a safety squeeze.  The Cubbies came back from a 6-0 deficit to tie up the game on a wild pitch; then scored the winning run on a bunt single.  That was perhaps the best game for manager Joe Maddon of the season. He had his wizard’s cap on that night.

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Oh, what a time in Cincinnati

Jake Arrieta throws a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds. Kris Bryant hit three home runs in a game. Travis Wood, the relief pitcher playing left field, catches a drive over his head against the left field wall. I mean stuff like that only happens to a team that is destined. And, the Chicago Cubs were that team. They were psychologically strong, to withstand the past bad vibes that have befallen this team.

There was the comeback against the San Francisco Giants when they rallied to score four runs late to win Game 4 and a playoff series.  They trailed the Dodgers 2-1 in games and rallied to win in six. Their talent had won out. And, then the ultimate challenge: winning that Game 7 after the 17-minute rain delay.  Some on the Cubs team said it was “divine intervention” that it came. The Chicago Cubs had a meeting led by Jason Heyward and regrouped as a team.

No more goats, no more 1908

The Cubbies came out recharged in the top of the tenth inning when play resumed and pushed across two runs to take an 8-6 lead. Ben Zobrist had an out of body experience at the plate when he doubled down the left field line to score pinch-runner Alberto Amora, Jr.  Miguel Montero hit a single to plate Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo earlier was caught on mic telling a teammate that he was a “nervous wreck.”  Still, they came together and won the game.

Thanks to the baseball Gods for helping this team come through. And thanks to the players who in a group moment of focus, won the biggest game in Cubs’ history. Thanks to the management for putting together a team that came together as a family and played for each other.

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In the meeting during the rain delay, one of the players spoke up for reliever Aroldis Chapman, who allowed three runs when Cleveland tied the game, 6-6 in the bottom of the eighth. “We got you, Chappie,” someone said. They got him off the hook. They got the team off the hook for all those years of waiting, and the city too.

It is time to give thanks for this historic Cubs playoff run.