Chicago Cubs: One fan recalls the story of Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS

The calm before the storm

The feeling I get, even knowing full well how this plays out, watching the bottom of the seventh is simple: it’s a done deal. The Chicago Cubs are heading to the World Series.

Bako opens things up with a single right back up the box and Prior gets down a clutch 0-2 bunt to move him to second base with just one away. Willis gets Lofton to chase a pitch out of the zone for the second out before Chad Fox enters to face Grudzielanek.

The gritty second baseman bloops one into center, Bako scores. 3-0 Chicago.

This is really going to happen. Wrigley erupts into chaos. That’s it, the curse is over.

Sosa lines another opposite-field base hit, moving the runner to third. The Cubs have a chance to step on the Marlins’ throats while they’re down, but Alou pops out and angrily tosses his bat in frustration. We’re heading to the eighth.