Chicago Cubs: Ranking the top 10 home runs of the decade

Chicago Cubs: Game Seven featured some heart-stopping blasts

#4 “Dexter Fowler, hello!”

108 years of tears would either end or be extended to 109 on the evening of November 2, 2016. Game 7 of the World Series was an experience like no other, filled with incredible moments that one would only imagine dreaming. What happened to start the game was something nobody had never seen before.

Cy Young pitcher Corey Kluber facing All-Star Dexter Fowler in the first at-bat of the game. On a 2-1 pitch, Fowler drove the ball high into the Cleveland sky to deep center. Rajai Davis tried to track the ball and leap at the wall but it was out of his reach and gone. Folwer had hit the first leadoff home run in a Game 7 of a World Series ever. A historical start to a historical night.

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#3 Schwarber hits the board

I think if you gathered all the GIFs together ever posted by Cubs fans on Twitter the one posted the most would be of this particular home run. We go back to the magical Game 4 of the 2015 NLDS. In the bottom of the seventh the Cubs held on tightly to a 5-4 lead when Kyle Schwarber stepped up against lefty Kevin Siegrist.

A 1-1 fastball up over the plate was belted toward the right field corner where one of the new video boards stood. The ball landed on top of the board under the Budweiser sign for a very long solo shot to extend the lead to 6-4. 112.5 MPH off the bat and 416 feet to right. It really is one of the most beautiful swings you will see.

While the Cubs had six more outs to get, it felt like that mammoth shot was the final nail in the Cardinals coffin. It showed that it was the Cubs’ night and destiny was on their side.

#2 Grandpa’s Last Hurrah

If you want a home run out of a Hollywood script, this is the one.

Game 7 of the 2016 World Series marked the final game for veteran catcher (and new Cubs manager) David Ross. The middle innings of the game saw the Cubs lead go from 5-1 to 5-3 after the wild pitch off Ross’s mask scored two runs. Ross had just come into the game because Jon Lester had come on in relief of Kyle Hendricks.

Looking for redemption, Ross stepped to the plate for the first time in the top of the sixth inning. He was facing Andrew Miller, who was arguably the best reliever in baseball that season and unbelievably nasty. Down 1-2 in the count, Ross turned on a 95 MPH Miller fastball and drove it to center. Similar to Fowler’s leadoff shot, Davis tried to leap and make a play, but it was once again out of reach.

The 39-year-old .229 career-hitting backup catcher hit a home run in the final game of the World Series off a pitcher in his prime who posted a 1.68 FIP and 14.9 K/9 in the regular season.