Chicago Cubs: Remembering my favorite Cubs postseason moments

Chicago Cubs: A little rain does the trick, ending a drought

Speaking of magical, does it really get any better than Game 7 of the 2016 World Series? Not only is it arguably the greatest game in baseball history, but also was the perfect moment in capturing all the heartbreak, hopefulness and “one day” mindset that comes with being a Cubs fan.

For me, it was hardly ideal for this game to be played on a Wednesday in the middle of the fall semester. But this was truly a once in a lifetime experience… my news reporting class could wait for the rewriting of the history books.

This game really did have it all. A leadoff homer from Dexter Fowler against a dominant Corey Kluber. A wild pitch that led to two runs for the Cleveland Indians – who, by the way, were trying to end a 68-year drought of their own – and got them back into the game.

In the middle innings: a home run by veteran catcher David Ross, a 39-year-old playing in his final game, off Andrew Miller, perhaps the best reliever in baseball at the time. And of course, the Rajai Davis home run to tie the game in the eighth inning.

After Davis tied the game, I simply could not control myself. My heart was racing; I could feel it beating out of my chest.

Being that I was watching the game with friends, one of whom was an Indians fan, I tried my hardest not to look at anyone. I simply stared at the TV in disbelief, as if I felt the weight of the entire Cubs nation echoing “not again.”

And then… the rain delay. It was the most agonizing 15 minutes I can ever remember. I had absolutely no clue what to do myself, and the momentum shift in the game was weighing as heavily on my psyche as any other previous event in my life… I do not think that is an exaggeration.

But after Schwarber singled to lead off the top of the tenth, it felt like destiny was on our side again. After all, Schwarber was not even supposed to be playing in this series.

Three batters later, and Ben Zobrist delivered. But still, I wanted more insurance. Cubs fans everywhere wanted more insurance. And they would get it from Miguel Montero.

For as mercurial as he has been this season, Carl Edwards was surprisingly composed and dialed in as he came on to close the game. And although the Indians again rallied to within one, I was starting to feel the anticipation as Mike Montgomery entered to face pinch-hitter Michael Martinez. Sure enough, Martinez grounded to Kris Bryant, and the rest is history.

I will never forget that night or the following days, when I blared “All the Way” (by the aforementioned Eddie Vedder) and skipped class to watch the parade in Chicago. No Cubs fan will ever forget where they were when the curse was broken, and certainly not me.