Murphy Foss and Ryan Vespi
Staff Writers
On Saturday, Oct. 28 the stage was set for the 2016 World Series, between the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians. The Cubs had clinched a World Series berth for the first time since 1945. Back then, they lost in seven games to the Detroit Tigers. The last time the Indians made the series was 1997.
The Cubs had the longest championship drought in any of the major sports; they hadn’t been crowned champions in 108 years. Many people, including junior Parker Wing, believe that for this reason the city of Chicago deserved this more. “They should win since they haven’t won it in over 100 years,” said Wing, “they’re bound to win.” Wing was right, the Cubs came back from a 3-1 series deficit in a situation that, after game 4, things were looking bad for Chi-town fans.
Sophomore Nolan Giblin disagrees; “Cleveland deserved it more, no question,” said Giblin.
Game 7 ended with a game-winning double down the left-field line by Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist in extra innings. Some people were surprised to see extra-innings in a World Series game. However many people, like Athletic Director John Goodson, were not. “I was surprised more of the series didn’t go to extra innings,” said Goodson.
The Indians led the Cubs 3-1 in an instant classic that kept fans on the edge of their seats from Game 1. Game 7 was played on Nov. 1 at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The game ended a historic drought in a city in which no one alive has seen the World Series trophy paraded through their streets until just last week. Cleveland now has the longest World Series drought in baseball.
Social Studies Teacher Leo Brown thinks that Chicago’s front office had more of an impact on the game than anyone else, especially president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein. “Put that guy in the Hall of Fame right now,” said Brown, “he did it for the Red Sox and now for the Cubs.” Brown is referring to Epstein breaking an 86-year curse in Boston and a 108-year curse in Chicago.
When it comes down to talent, both teams were at the top of their games, and that is something Giblin and freshman Bryan Fennell, who was rooting for the Cubs, can agree on. “Javy Baez is a real difference-maker for Chicago,” said Giblin. However, Giblin thinks Cleveland’s young shortstop will be the difference for them in the future. “Francisco Lindor was by far the best player in the series,” said Giblin. Fennell disagrees and believes that Chicago had the edge; “they won because they have the best rotation in baseball,” said Fennell. However, he agrees with Giblin that Cleveland does have some real firepower. “Andrew Miller, Trevor Bauer, and Carlos Santana are all pretty good,” said Fennell.
