Chicago Cubs: 2017 - the year the Cubs were reigning world champions

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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 12: Members of the Chicago Cubs show off their World Series Championship rings before a game against the Los Angeles Dodgersat Wrigley Field on April 12, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

As 2017 draws to a close, there’s plenty to be grateful for as a Chicago Cubs fan over the last 12 months – even without another championship.

For most Chicago Cubs fans, I don’t think many wanted the last offseason to end. I know I didn’t. From seeing guys like David Ross, Anthony Rizzo and Dexter Fowler on Saturday Night Live to Kris Bryant on late night television – life was good.

In the Windy City, the streets were overflowing with Cubs pride and an overjoyed happiness after the team’s historic World Series victory. I don’t think anyone will ever tire from hearing: “The Chicago Cubs are World Series Champions!”

Unfortunately, the offseason ended. Select players from the World Series-winning team moved on because baseball is a business in the end. None will be forgotten.

Some say the Cubs winning the World Series was the last great American sports story. Generations of Cubs fans celebrated. Many rejoiced, even more cried as they were overcome with emotion.

For 9 months and 31 days, the Cubs were reigning World Series champions. If you don’t count the days after the Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the World Series, it was nine months and 19 days. Regardless, I digress.

Here are a few highlights from this season.

CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 10: Fireworks go off as the World Series Championship banner is raised before the home opening game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on April 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

April 10, 2017: The Home Opener

The Cubs celebrated a World Series title for the first time at Wrigley Field. When I saw Anthony Rizzo walk out from the left field bullpen with the trophy, the emotions hit hard. Seeing the pennants hung in center field was a surreal moment.

Speaking of Rizzo, he came through with the game-winning walk-off hit to beat the Dodgers that night.

Quite the memorable day start to finish.

Posted by Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, April 11, 2017

May 5, 2017: Starlin Castro‘s return to Wrigley Field

One thing that is a bit unsettling for me, as a fan, is that Starlin Castro wasn’t part of the World Series team. He endured a lot of bad seasons on the Cubs – much like Rizzo. When I saw on Instagram the duo caught up after Game 1 of the series with the Yankees, I was happy but also a bit nostalgic.

This all said, I still thought it was the right move to trade him to make room for Ben Zobrist. As we all know now, without Zo, the Fall Classic may have ended in a very different way.

June 2nd, 2017: Dexter Fowler’s return to Wrigley Field

Dexter Fowler was such a big part of the World Series team, it was hard to see him in Cardinal red, but I have no hard feelings toward him. I wish him well.

I hope he does well for the Cardinals, as long as they’re not playing the Cubs when it happens. The video the Cubs made for him upon his return was emotional and brought back so many great memories.

BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 16: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates wtih teammate Kris Bryant #17 after hitting a two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 16, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

July 14, 2017: Cubs start the second half strong

Despite all the great moments listed above, the Cubs were not good in the first half of the season. The term “World Series hangover” was used a lot. Kyle Schwarber was demoted to Triple-A. A lot of players were under performing and the starting pitching was atrocious.

But, Chicago opened the second half in Baltimore and the offense performed better than we’d seen in weeks, scoring nine runs in a 9-8 win, which included five home runs. The win led to a hot start of the second half and putting the Cubs in the middle of the NL Central race.

July 27, 2017: Cubs win the Crosstown Cup

I’ve always felt the crosstown rivalry between the White Sox and the Cubs was a Chicago-native thing. I grew up in Central Illinois, which honestly is Cardinal Country, but it was nice to get some bragging rights against the South Side fans, even if their team is in the middle of a rebuild.

August 20, 2017: Cubs rally to beat Jays

August was the Cubs’ best month of the season. The Blue Jays came to Wrigley for an Interleague matchup.

In a game that looked like the Cubs would take two out of three in the series, the Cubs swept the series instead after a three-run ninth inning rally, after Toronto took a 5-3 lead in the top half of the inning. The rally was capped off by an Alex Avila walk-off two-run single, which lead to a memorable Javy Baez slide.

ST. LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 27: Members of the Chicago Cubs pose for a photograph after winning the National League Central title against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on September 27, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

September 24, 2017: Jose Quintana‘s gem

In arguably the most important series of the season, the Cubs won three-of-four over Milwaukee after Jose Quintana threw a complete game shutout in a 5-0 win against the Brew Crew.

September 27, 2017: Cubs clinch the NL Central in St. Louis

Oh, how sweet it is.

After what seemed like forever chasing the Cardinals in the division, the tables have turned. And, to cap off the 2017 season, the Cubs clinched the NL Central in St. Louis, defeating the Cardinals 5-1 at Busch Stadium. Considering the rivalry, it was a great day to be a Cubs fan.

(And a not-so-great one to be a Cardinals fan).

October 12, 2017: Cubs win Game 5 to win NLDS in wild game in Washington D.C

This game may be the second-best game behind Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. It had everything. The Nationals blew a 4-1 lead. Max Scherzer got two outs then gave up four runs to complete a comeback for the Cubs.

Next: Remembering the best Cubs hurlers of the 1990s

Chicago’s bullpen was struggling but Wade Davis stepped up and got a seven-out save. Pretty sure we all lost few days off our lives. But the Cubs advanced to the NLCS for the third-straight season.

Lets hope there’s more memories in 2018. Signing a No. 4 starter would be a great first memory, question is, when will that be?

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Chicago Cubs: 2017 – the year the Cubs were reigning world champions