Cubs 5 forgotten moments from Game 7 of 2016 World Series

I was ecstatic when MLB Network announced it would be airing the Cubs final three games of the 2016 World Series on Tuesday afternoon.

After all, any Chicago Cubs fan would relish the opportunity to relive their team, ending a 108-year drought in the most epic of fashions, especially amid MLB’s current suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Yes, I speak of the time when the Cubs overcame a seemingly insurmountable deficit to defeat the Cleveland Indians, a series culminated by a Game 7 that will forever rank among the greatest games in the history of baseball.

There are unforgettable moments from that contest: most notably Rajai Davis‘ game-tying homer, the rain delay, and Ben Zobrist‘s go-ahead hit.

But there are certain moments from that game that are worth more examination, both for what they meant in the moment as well as in the broader context of the contest itself.

Here are five forgotten moments from Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.

Chicago Cubs: Bryzzo hit-and-run

Indians starter Corey Kluber had dominated the Cubs for most of the series. He threw six scoreless innings with six strikeouts in Game 1, followed by six more innings of one-run ball in Game 4, both of which resulted in wins for Cleveland.

But the Cubs set a different tone in Game 7. Dexter Fowler‘s leadoff homer is a standout moment, and the North Siders would also add a pair in the top of the fourth to retake the lead after Carlos Santana tied the game with an RBI single in the bottom of the third.

Then, Javier Baez rang the death knoll on Kluber’s outing with a solo homer to start the top of the fifth. However, Indians manager Terry Francona went to dominant left-hander Andrew Miller to stop the bleeding and get a pair of quality innings.

It almost worked that way. Fowler singled off Miller, but he got Kyle Schwarber to ground into a double play. But he was not out of the woods yet.

Kris Bryant–who frankly had some of the best at-bats of the entire series in this game–worked a nine-pitch walk, bringing Anthony Rizzo to the dish.

Joe Maddon was often criticized for not putting runners in motion during his Cubs tenure, but he sent Bryant with two outs in the inning, and Rizzo ripped one down the line to bring him all the way around from first base.

Not only did this extend Chicago’s lead, but it also gave them hope they could get to Miller.

Remember, Miller had been an unstoppable force throughout those playoffs, a staggering run that extended into the World Series. He gave up just one run and struck out eight across his first 5 1/3 frames, with the only run coming via a harmless Fowler solo homer in Game 4.

David Ross‘ homer off Miller in the sixth would eventually provide the dagger to Miller’s outing, but it was this play that seemed to inspire confidence from the lineup.

Chicago Cubs: Montero provides insurance

Miguel Montero had been the starting catcher for nearly all of 2015 and the first few months of the 2016 season. By November, he was nothing more than a bench player.

That is not to say “Miggy” did not have his moments. His grand slam to win Game 1 of the NLCS will always be one of the most memorable moments in Wrigley Field’s history.

Still, Montero had limited opportunities during the playoffs, and especially in the World Series. He had all of three pinch-hit appearances heading into Game 7, two of which resulted in strikeouts. But after Zobrist’s go-ahead double in the top of the 10th and an intentional walk to Addison Russell to load the bases, Montero had a chance to add to the lead.

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Typically, a “cold” player is not ideal in these situations. Of course, Maddon had limited options remaining on his bench, and the left-handed Montero was a split matchup against Indians righty Bryan Shaw.

In any case, Montero displayed some excellent hitting, going inside-out on a 1-1 cutter running in on him and spraying it into left field for a base hit and another run.

Perhaps some fans acknowledge this moment more than others. After all, Montero’s RBI proved vital when the Indians scored in the bottom of the frame.

However, it is the context surrounding Montero’s at-bat that makes it that much more impressive.

Chicago Cubs: Francisco Lindor preserves the tie

This play is so good; I still do not understand how Francisco Lindor managed to pull it off.

Even after Davis’ homer in the eighth, the Cubs mounted a rally in the ninth. Ross led off with a walk against Indians closer Cody Allen, and–after a fielder’s choice–Jason Heyward stole second base, advancing to third on the throw.

The Cubs suddenly had the go-ahead run at third base with just one out. But Baez fouled out after trying to bunt with two strikes, leaving it up to Fowler with two outs.

Chicago’s leadoff man was having a whale of a game, having already tallied three hits in four at-bats. The Cubs probably could not have handpicked a better player for that spot.

Indeed, Fowler sprayed one up the middle, seemingly giving the Cubs the lead. Only, Lindor ranged from the shortstop hole to field the ball and throw Fowler out by a step in one motion, preserving the tie for the Indians.

Granted, Lindor was shading towards second base due to the shift.

Still, that does not explain his ridiculous reaction time, nor the fact he threw a strike against his body to get the speedy Fowler by a full step.

For a second-year shortstop to make that play under the circumstances is pretty miraculous, but also it speaks to Lindor’s current star power.

Chicago Cubs: Chapman’s scoreless ninth

Sure, Chapman’s role in that game is mostly defined as his concession of the game-tying homer.

But his scoreless frame in the bottom of the ninth deserves tons of credit and is arguably the most critical moment of the entire game.

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For starters, Chapman was on fumes at this point. He had thrown 21 pitches in the top of the eighth and a whopping 83 in the last three games combined.

Cubs fans had every reason to wonder why in the world, Chapman was on the mound to start the ninth, especially given he was facing the heart of Cleveland’s order.

But despite a fatigued arm and scattered emotions, Chapman retired the side in order

This could have been ugly for the Cubs. The Indians had all the momentum after Davis’ homer and Lindor’s effort to halt Chicago’s rally, and it almost seemed destined they would be the team to break a historic drought.

Moreover, had Chapman gotten in trouble, Maddon would have had to throw a less experienced reliever (perhaps Carl Edwards Jr.) into a high-stress situation. However, Chapman’s performance prevented such a thing from transpiring.

For all of the clamoring about Maddon’s usage of Chapman, this inning was–in hindsight–a miraculous spectacle from the imposing closer, and it ultimately set the stage for Chicago’s triumph.