Kyle Tucker just ended a Cubs playoff drought fans didn't know existed

Kyle Tucker's thunderous home run late in Game 4 of the National League Division Series made franchise history for the Chicago Cubs.

Tucker's solo home run, which came against Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Robert Gasser in the bottom of the seventh inning, marked the first time a Cubs designated hitter cracked a long ball in the playoffs.

Of course, the designated hitter position was only permanently implemented in the National League in 2022. The rule was included during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but the Cubs were swept out of the playoffs by the Miami Marlins in the Wild Card Round. The only run that Chicago scored in that series came from a solo shot from Ian Happ, who was the starting center fielder in the game.

The only other opportunity in recent memory came in the 2016 World Series, where Kyle Schwarber served as the Cubs' designated hitter for the games played in Cleveland. Although he had a fantastic seven-hit showing in the World Series, Schwarber did not record a home run.

Was this the final chapter of Kyle Tucker's Cubs career?

Tucker's homer on Thursday very well could be his last as a Cub, making an already special game that much more memorable. It's been a roller coaster year as Tucker played a huge role in Chicago's potent offensive production in the first half of the season. His production led to scores of Cubs fans begging ownership and the front office to offer the former MVP a contract extension. But those calls faded after second-half injuries cooled off Tucker's bat, calling into question whether he'd be worth the likely $300 million+ investment.

But the ship on a potential Tucker extension likely sailed a long time ago, as MLB insider Jesse Rogers recently pointed out on X. As someone who was in attendance for Game 4, it feels good that Tucker was able to deliver one last impactful swing to keep the Cubs' playoff hopes alive before his certain departure in free agency.