2016 World Series#Game 5

{{Main article|2016 Major League Baseball postseason}}

{{main|2016 Chicago Cubs season}}

{{Multiple image|total_width = 500

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| image1 = Lion (30542844015).jpg

| caption1 = One of the two lion sculptures outside of the Art Institute of Chicago decorated in support of the Cubs

| image2 = Union Station during the Cubs 2016 World Series run IMG 6905 (1).jpg

| caption2 = Large Cubs Win Flag in the Great Hall of the Chicago Union Station during the World Series

| image3 = The statue holding the Tiffany clock on the Magnificent Mile is a Cubs fan. (30049296583).jpg

| caption3 = The clock outside of the Tiffany & Co. store on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile decorated to celebrate the Cubs

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| image1 = 500 West Madison during the Cubs 2016 World Series run IMG 6444.jpg

| caption1 = The foyer of 500 West Madison (home to the Ogilvie Transportation Center) decorated to celebrate the Cubs during the World Series

| image2 = Civic Opera Building during the Cubs 2016 World Series run IMG 6525.jpg

| caption2 = A celebratory message (referencing the song Go Cubs Go on the marquee of Chicago's Civic Opera House during the World Series

| image3 = Union Station during the Cubs 2016 World Series run IMG 6998.jpg

| caption3 = World Series merchandise being sold at a stand in Chicago Union Station (with a backdrop mimicking the Wrigley Field marquee)

| image4 = 2016 Cubs State Street (30417087136).jpg

| caption4 = Cubs Victory Flags on the State Street frontage of the Marshall Field and Company Building during the World Series

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The Cubs made their 11th appearance in the World Series; their only previous two championships were in {{wsy|1907}} and {{wsy|1908}}. They lost their eight other appearances, in {{wsy|1906}}, {{wsy|1910}}, {{wsy|1918}}, {{wsy|1929}}, {{wsy|1932}}, {{wsy|1935}}, {{wsy|1938}}, and {{wsy|1945}}.{{cite news|last=Rosenthal|first=Phil|title=How Chicago, the world — and the Cubs — have changed since 1945|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-1945-landscape-world-series-spt-1025-20161024-story.html|access-date=October 25, 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|date=October 24, 2016}} The Cubs' 107 season World Series victory drought was the longest league title drought in the history of the major American professional sports leagues.{{cite web |title=The 10 Longest Championship Droughts in Professional Sports |url=https://www.kron4.com/news/the-10-longest-championship-droughts-in-professional-sports |website=KRON4 |access-date=27 June 2024 |date=3 November 2016}} It was also regarded to be the most famous championship drought in American sports history.{{cite web |last1=Graham |first1=Bryan Armen |title=Chicago Cubs end most storied title drought in American sporting folklore |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/nov/03/chicago-cubs-title-drought-american-sporting-folklore-world-series |website=The Guardian |access-date=27 June 2024 |date=November 3, 2016}} Sports folklore attributed this due to the "Curse of the Billy Goat", which was one of the most famous purported curses in baseball.{{cite magazine |last1=Rapaport |first1=Daniel |title=Which teams have the longest World Series droughts? |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/10/04/longest-world-series-droughts-teams-cleveland-indians-houston-astros |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=27 June 2024 |language=en-us |date=4 October 2017}}

The Cubs qualified for the postseason by winning the National League Central, ending the regular season with the best record in all of MLB (103–58) for the first time since 1945; they also posted their highest winning percentage since 1935, and won their most games since 1910. The division title was their sixth since division play began in 1969, and their first since 2008.{{cite magazine|title=Chicago Cubs clinch NL Central Division title|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2016/09/16/chicago-cubs-clinch-division-nl-central-playoffs|access-date=October 25, 2016|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=September 15, 2016}} The Cubs entered the postseason as the #1 seed in the National League, and they defeated the 5th-seeded San Francisco Giants 3–1 of the NL Division Series before clinching their first NL pennant since 1945 with a 4–2 series win over the 3rd-seeded Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.{{cite news|last=Sherlock|first=Ruth|title=Chicago Cubs Finally Shake off 'Curse of the Billy Goat' After 71 Years With Historic Baseball Win|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/23/chicago-cubs-finally-shake-off-curse-of-the-billy-goat-after-71/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/23/chicago-cubs-finally-shake-off-curse-of-the-billy-goat-after-71/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=October 25, 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=October 23, 2016}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news|last=Graham|first=Bryan|title=Cubs blank Dodgers to advance to first World Series in 75 years|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/22/cubs-dodgers-nlcs-world-series-71-years|access-date=October 25, 2016|work=The Guardian|date=October 23, 2016|location=Chicago}}

For Cubs manager Joe Maddon, it was his second appearance in the World Series as manager – in {{wsy|2008}}, he managed the Tampa Bay Rays, who lost 4–1 to the Philadelphia Phillies. This made him the eighth person to manage pennant winning teams in both leagues.{{cite news|title=Joe Knows: Maddon mania over management of Chicago Cubs|last=Mercer|first=David|agency=Associated Press|date=October 30, 2016}}

It was also Maddon's third World Series appearance overall – in {{wsy|2002}}, he was bench coach for the Anaheim Angels.

{{main|2016 Cleveland Indians season}}

The Indians made their sixth appearance in the World Series. They won two championships in {{wsy|1920}} and {{wsy|1948}}. They lost their three most recent appearances in the Fall Classic in {{wsy|1954}}, {{wsy|1995}}, and {{wsy|1997}}.{{cite news|last=Meisel|first=Zack|title=Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan will fly all team employees to a World Series road game|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2016/10/cleveland_indians_owner_paul_d_6.html|access-date=October 25, 2016|work=The Plain Dealer|date=October 23, 2016|location=Cleveland}} Their 67-season (at the time) World Series victory drought was the second-longest ongoing drought at the time, behind only the Cubs.{{cite magazine |last1=Rapaport |first1=Daniel |title=Which Teams Have the Longest World Series Droughts? |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/10/04/longest-world-series-droughts-teams-cleveland-indians-houston-astros |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=27 June 2024 |language=en-us |date=4 October 2017}}

The Indians qualified for the postseason by winning the American League Central, their eighth division title and their first since 2007.{{cite news|last=Trister|first=Noah|title=Indians clinch AL Central crown with 7–4 win over Tigers|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/a3383baeb43949e1a68104dc0f40bbe1/indians-clinch-al-central-crown-7-4-win-over-tigers|access-date=October 25, 2016|agency=Associated Press|date=September 27, 2016|location=Detroit|archive-date=October 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026001738/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/a3383baeb43949e1a68104dc0f40bbe1/indians-clinch-al-central-crown-7-4-win-over-tigers|url-status=dead}} The Indians were the #2 seed in the American League, and they defeated the 3rd-seeded Boston Red Sox 3–0 in the AL Division Series before clinching the pennant with a 4–1 victory over the 4th-seeded Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Championship Series.{{cite news|last=Ortiz|first=Jorge|title=World Series, first glance: Cubs and Indians battle each other – and history|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/10/22/world-series-first-glance-cubs-indians-battle-each-other---and-history/92624272/|access-date=October 25, 2016|work=USA Today|date=October 23, 2016|location=Chicago}}

For Indians manager Terry Francona, it was his third appearance in the World Series. He won his previous two appearances – 2004 and 2007 – as manager of the Boston Red Sox, in sweeps of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Colorado Rockies.{{cite web| url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/F/Pfrant001.htm|title=Terry Francona|publisher=Retrosheet|access-date=October 26, 2016}}

This was the third postseason meeting between Francona and Maddon. Maddon's Rays defeated Francona's Red Sox in the 2008 American League Championship Series, while Maddon's Rays defeated Francona's Indians in the 2013 American League Wild Card Game.

File:Chicago Cubs Host First World Series Games in 71 years.webm about the first World Series game at Wrigley Field in 71 years{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/expectations-high-chicago-cubs-host-world-series-games/3571376.html|title=Chicago Cubs Host First World Series Games in 71 Years|date=October 29, 2016 |publisher=Voice of America|access-date=November 1, 2016}}]]

File:World Series Brings National Spotlight Back to Cleveland.webm

{{MLB Playoff Summary

| summary =

| winner = Chicago (NL)

| leader =

| score = 4–3

| date1 = {{dts|October 25}}

| score1 = Chicago Cubs – 0, Cleveland Indians – 6

| loc1 = Progressive Field

| time1 = 3:37

| att1 = 38,091

| ref1 = {{cite web|title=Boxscore: Chicago vs. Cleveland, Game 1|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-indians/2016/10/25/487631/final/box|publisher=Major League Baseball|access-date=October 25, 2016}}

| date2 = {{dts|October 26}}

| score2 = Chicago Cubs – 5, Cleveland Indians – 1

| loc2 = Progressive Field

| time2 = 4:04

| att2 = 38,172

| ref2 = {{cite web|title=Boxscore: Chicago vs. Cleveland, Game 2|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-indians/2016/10/26/487632/final/box|publisher=Major League Baseball|access-date=October 26, 2016}}

| date3 = {{dts|October 28}}

| score3 = Cleveland Indians – 1, Chicago Cubs – 0

| loc3 = Wrigley Field

| time3 = 3:33

| att3 = 41,703

| ref3 = {{cite web|title=Boxscore: Cleveland vs. Chicago, Game 3|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/indians-vs-cubs/2016/10/28/487633/final/box|publisher=Major League Baseball|access-date=October 28, 2016}}

| date4 = {{dts|October 29}}

| score4 = Cleveland Indians – 7, Chicago Cubs – 2

| loc4 = Wrigley Field

| time4 = 3:16

| att4 = 41,706

| ref4 = {{cite web|title=Boxscore: Cleveland vs. Chicago, Game 4|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/indians-vs-cubs/2016/10/29/487634/final/box|publisher=Major League Baseball|access-date=October 29, 2016}}

| date5 = {{dts|October 30}}

| score5 = Cleveland Indians – 2, Chicago Cubs – 3

| loc5 = Wrigley Field

| time5 = 3:27

| att5 = 41,711

| ref5 = {{cite web|title=Boxscore: Cleveland vs. Chicago, Game 5|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/indians-vs-cubs/2016/10/30/487635/final/box|publisher=Major League Baseball|access-date=October 30, 2016}}

| date6 = {{dts|November 1}}

| score6 = Chicago Cubs – 9, Cleveland Indians – 3

| loc6 = Progressive Field

| time6 = 3:29

| att6 = 38,116

| ref6 = {{cite web|title=Boxscore: Chicago vs. Cleveland, Game 6|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-indians/2016/11/01/487636/final/box|publisher=Major League Baseball|access-date=November 1, 2016}}

| date7 = {{dts|November 2}}

| score7 = Chicago Cubs – 8, Cleveland Indians – 7 (10)

| loc7 = Progressive Field

| time7 = 4:28 (:17 delay)

| att7 = 38,104

| ref7 = {{cite web|title=Boxscore: Chicago vs. Cleveland, Game 7|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-indians/2016/11/02/487637/final/box|publisher=Major League Baseball|access-date=November 2, 2016}}

|}}

File:Progressive Field, hours before Game 1 of the 2016 World Series.jpg

{{linescore|

|Date=October 25, 2016

|Time=8:10{{nbsp}}pm (EDT)

|Location=Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio,

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Former Indians and Cubs player Kenny Lofton threw the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 while Rachel Platten sang the national anthem.{{cite news|last=Meisel|first=Zack|title='95 reunion: Kenny Lofton, Carlos Baerga to throw out ceremonial first pitches before World Series games in Cleveland|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2016/10/cleveland_indians_world_series_2.html|access-date=October 26, 2016|work=The Plain Dealer|date=October 25, 2016|location=Cleveland}} Corey Kluber started for the Indians, and Jon Lester started for the Cubs.{{cite news|last=Assenheimer|first=Chris|title=World Series notes: Cy Young candidates Corey Kluber and Jon Lester set to square off in Game 1|url=http://www.chroniclet.com/tribe-notes/2016/10/24/Indians-notes-Cy-Young-candidates-Kluber-and-Lester-set-to-square-off-in-Game-1.html|access-date=October 26, 2016|work=The Chronicle-Telegram|publisher=Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting Co.|date=October 24, 2016|location=Cleveland}} Kyle Schwarber, who had missed nearly all of the 2016 season after tearing ligaments in his left leg in the season's third game, was added to the Cubs' World Series roster and started as their designated hitter.{{cite news|last1=D'Onofrio|first1=Jessica|last2=Elgas|first2=Rob|last3=Horng|first3=Eric|last4=Jordan|first4=Karen|last5=Nagy|first5=Liz|title=Cleveland Indians defeat Chicago Cubs 6–0 in World Series Game 1|url=http://abc7chicago.com/sports/kyle-schwarber-listed-on-chicago-cubs-world-series-2016-game-1-lineup/1572014/|access-date=October 26, 2016|work=ABC 7 Chicago|publisher=ABC, Inc.|date=October 25, 2016|location=Cleveland}}{{cite news|last=McGraw|first=Daniel|title=Indians win World Series Game 1 against Cubs as Kluber sets strikeout record|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/25/corey-kluber-cleveland-indians-chicago-cubs-game-1-world-series|access-date=October 26, 2016|work=The Guardian|date=October 25, 2016|location=Cleveland}} Schwarber struck out twice, but also doubled and drew a walk.{{cite magazine|last=Reiter|first=Ben|title=Kyle Schwarber's successful return a silver lining for Cubs in Game 1 loss|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2016/10/26/world-series-kyle-schwarber-return-chicago-cubs|access-date=October 26, 2016|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=October 26, 2016|location=Cleveland}} The double made Schwarber the first non-pitcher to get his first hit of the season in the World Series.{{cite web|last=Snyder|first=Matt|title=Cubs-Indians 2016 World Series: Kyle Schwarber's return, at least, was a success|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/cubs-indians-2016-world-series-kyle-schwarbers-return-at-least-was-a-success/|publisher=CBSSports.com|access-date=October 26, 2016|location=Cleveland|date=October 26, 2016}}

Kluber made World Series history by striking out eight hitters in the first three innings.{{cite web|last=Marchand|first=Andrew|title=Corey Kluber sets World Series record with 8 K's in first 3 innings|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17888355/corey-kluber-cleveland-indians-sets-world-series-strikeout-mark|publisher=ESPN|access-date=October 26, 2016|location=Cleveland|date=October 26, 2016}} Roberto Pérez became the first ever ninth-place hitter with two homers in a World Series game, the first Indians player to hit two homers in a Series game, and the first Puerto Rican-born player to hit two homers in a World Series game.{{cite news|last=Berg|first=Ted|title=Indians catcher Roberto Perez has as many homers this October as he had all season|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/10/cleveland-indians-roberto-perez-two-homers-game-1-world-series-mlb|access-date=October 26, 2016|work=USA Today|date=October 26, 2016|location=Cleveland}} In the first, the Indians loaded the bases off Lester on a single and two walks before José Ramirez's single drove in a run, then Lester hit Brandon Guyer with a pitch to force in another. Perez's home run in the fourth made it 3–0 Indians. In the eighth, Justin Grimm walked Guyer with two outs and allowed a single to Lonnie Chisenhall, then Hector Rondon allowed Perez's second home run of the night. Andrew Miller and Cody Allen finished the victory for the Indians despite Miller having to pitch out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh, and the Indians took Game 1 of the series 6–0.{{cite news|last=Nightengale|first=Bob|title=Magic formula: Corey Kluber, Andrew Miller dominant in Game 1 World Series win over Cubs|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2016/10/26/corey-kluber-andrew-miller-world-series-game-1-indians-cubs/92757694/|access-date=October 26, 2016|work=USA Today|date=October 26, 2016|location=Cleveland}} Francona's World Series winning streak reached nine with this victory.

Leading off the first inning, Dexter Fowler became the first African-American to play for the Cubs in a World Series.{{cite news|title=Dexter Fowler 1st African-American Chicago Cub to start in Game 1 of World Series|url=http://wgntv.com/2016/10/24/dexter-fowler-becomes-first-black-chicago-cub-in-world-series/|publisher=WGN-TV|date=October 24, 2016|access-date=July 14, 2017}}{{cite news|last=Breen|first=Justin|title=Dexter Fowler Would Be The First Black Cubs Player In The World Series|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20161024/wrigleyville/dexter-fowler-first-black-cub-world-series|website=DNAinfo Chicago|date=October 24, 2016|access-date=July 14, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522065937/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20161024/wrigleyville/dexter-fowler-first-black-cub-world-series|archive-date=May 22, 2017|df=mdy-all}}

File:Arrieta.png earned the win in Game 2.]]

{{linescore|

|Date=October 26, 2016

|Time=7:08{{nbsp}}pm (EDT)

|Location=Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio,

|Other={{convert|43|F|C}}, cloudy

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|Attendance=38,172

|}}

Former Indians player Carlos Baerga threw the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 while LoCash performed the national anthem. The start time for the game was moved up an hour, because of the possibility of heavy rain in the forecast.{{cite news|last1=Footer|first1=Alyson|last2=McCalvy|first2=Adam|title=Game 2 bumped up to 7 ET tonight on FOX|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/game-2-of-world-series-to-start-1-hour-earlier-c207155096|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|website=MLB.com|location=Cleveland|access-date=October 26, 2016|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928103121/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207155096/game-2-of-world-series-to-start-1-hour-earlier/|url-status=live}} Looking to tie the series at one game apiece, the Cubs sent Jake Arrieta to the mound against the Indians' Trevor Bauer who was still healing a lacerated pinkie resulting from an accident with a drone.{{Cite web |last=Kernan |first=Kevin |date=2016-10-26 |title=Drone lover Trevor Bauer says bloody pinkie fine for Game 2 |url=https://nypost.com/2016/10/26/drone-lover-trevor-bauer-talks-about-pinkie-game-2-start/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |language=en-US}} The Cubs also featured six players under age 25 in the starting lineup, a postseason record.{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=R.J.|title=Cubs-Indians World Series Game 2: Final score, things to know as Cubs even series|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/cubs-indians-world-series-game-2-final-score-things-to-know-as-cubs-even-series/|publisher=CBSSports.com|access-date=October 27, 2016|date=October 26, 2016}} The Cubs started things off early as Kris Bryant singled in the first inning and Anthony Rizzo doubled to score Bryant and give the Cubs an early 1–0 lead.{{cite web|last=Doolittle|first=Bradford|title=Next stop: Chicago! Cubs trounce Tribe, even World Series|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/76013/next-stop-chicago-cubs-trounce-tribe-even-world-series|publisher=ESPN|access-date=October 27, 2016|location=Cleveland|date=October 27, 2016}} Arrieta started well too, retiring the first two batters before walking back-to-back batters in the bottom of the first. However, Arrieta got a flyout to end the inning. The Cubs struck again in the third following a two-out walk by Rizzo and a single by Ben Zobrist. A single by Kyle Schwarber scored Rizzo from second and pushed the Cubs' lead to 2–0. Bauer was forced from the game in the fourth, and the Cubs struck again in the fifth. Rizzo walked again off Zach McAllister, and Zobrist tripled to plate Rizzo.{{cite news|last=Graves|first=Will|title=Rizzo, Zobrist lead Cubs' offensive outburst in Game 2|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/0249b1d62cbd4a3fb4371c9f70253886/rizzo-zobrist-lead-cubs-offensive-outburst-game-2|access-date=October 27, 2016|agency=Associated Press|date=October 27, 2016|location=Cleveland|archive-date=January 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103031821/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/0249b1d62cbd4a3fb4371c9f70253886/rizzo-zobrist-lead-cubs-offensive-outburst-game-2|url-status=dead}} Another run-scoring single by Schwarber off Bryan Shaw and a bases-loaded walk by Addison Russell pushed the lead to 5–0.{{cite news|last=Nightengale|first=Bob|title=Kyle Schwarber defying odds, leads Cubs offense in Game 2 of World Series|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2016/10/26/cubs-kyle-schwarber-world-series-game-2/92809568/|access-date=October 27, 2016|work=USA Today|date=October 27, 2016|location=Cleveland}}

Arrieta continued to pitch well, walking three batters but holding the Indians without a hit into the sixth inning.{{cite news|last=Wagner|first=James|title=Cubs Pull Even in World Series as Indians' Play Proves Sloppier Than the Weather|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/27/sports/baseball/jake-arrieta-chicago-cubs-beat-cleveland-indians-world-series-game-2.html|access-date=October 27, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 27, 2016|location=Cleveland}} In the sixth, a double by Jason Kipnis ended the no-hitter, moved to third on a groundout and scored the lone Indians run of the game on a wild pitch by Arrieta.{{cite web|last=Reiter|first=Bill|title=World Series Game 2: Cubs' Arrieta finds greatness when his team needs it most|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/world-series-game-2-cubs-arrieta-finds-greatness-when-his-team-needs-it-most/|publisher=CBSSports.com|access-date=October 27, 2016|location=Cleveland|date=October 27, 2016}} Arrieta allowed another single and was lifted for reliever Mike Montgomery. Both teams threatened in the seventh but could not score and, following a single by Mike Napoli in the bottom of the eighth, Aroldis Chapman entered to finish the game for the Cubs. The win marked the Cubs' first World Series game victory since 1945 and tied up the series at one game all.{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Jill|title=Cubs level World Series with first Fall Classic win since 1945|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/26/sport/world-series-chicago-cubs-cleveland-indians-game-2/index.html|publisher=CNN|access-date=October 27, 2016|date=October 27, 2016}} The game marked Indians manager Terry Francona's first loss in ten World Series games.

File:2016-10-10 Coco Crisp with Cleveland 01.jpg drove in Game 3's only run.]]

{{linescore|

|Date=October 28, 2016

|Time=7:08{{nbsp}}pm (CDT)

|Location=Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois,

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|}}

For Game 3, former Cubs player Billy Williams threw the ceremonial first pitch before the start of the game, Fall Out Boy lead singer Patrick Stump sang the national anthem, and Bill Murray sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch, to mark the Cubs' first World Series night game at home.{{cite news|last=De Luca|first=Chris|title=Billy Williams, Bill Murray part of historic World Series Game 3|url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/billy-williams-bill-murray-part-of-historic-game-world-series-3/|access-date=October 29, 2016|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=October 28, 2016}} Chicago pitcher Kyle Hendricks started against Cleveland pitcher Josh Tomlin.

The game's only run came off a Coco Crisp single that scored Michael Martínez from third in the seventh inning. Josh Tomlin, Andrew Miller, Bryan Shaw, and Cody Allen combined to shut out the Cubs.{{cite news|last1=Mather|first1=Victor|last2=Waldstein|first2=David|title=World Series: Here's What Happened in Game 3|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/28/sports/world-series-score-cubs-indians.html|access-date=October 29, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 28, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Bastian|first1=Jordan|last2=Muskat|first2=Carrie|title=Blank you very much! Tribe 1–0 W epic|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/indians-shut-out-cubs-in-world-series-game-3-c207475482|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|website=MLB.com|access-date=October 29, 2016|location=Chicago|date=October 29, 2016|archive-date=November 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128221105/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207475482/indians-shut-out-cubs-in-world-series-game-3/|url-status=live}} Allen earned his sixth postseason save as Javier Báez struck out swinging to end the game, leaving the tying and winning runs in scoring position. It was the fourth time in which the Cubs had lost in a shutout during the 2016 postseason.

File:Corey Kluber on May 23, 2015 (1).jpg earned his second win of the series in Game 4.]]

{{linescore|

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For Game 4, former Cubs pitchers Greg Maddux and Ferguson Jenkins threw the ceremonial first pitches before the start of the game while Cubs anthem singer John Vincent sang the national anthem,{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=R.J.|title=Indians-Cubs World Series 2016: Maddux, Jenkins to throw out Game 4 first pitch|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/indians-cubs-world-series-2016-maddux-jenkins-to-throw-out-game-4-first-pitch/|access-date=October 29, 2016|work=CBS Sports|date=October 29, 2016}} and actor Vince Vaughn sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch.{{cite news|last=Bannon|first=Tim|title=Vince Vaughn will sing 7th-inning stretch at World Series Game 4|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-world-series-game4-singers-spt-20161029-story.html|access-date=October 29, 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|date=October 29, 2016}}

The Cubs struck first when Dexter Fowler doubled to lead off the first and scored on Anthony Rizzo's one-out single, but Kluber held them to that one run through six innings before Francona turned it over to the bullpen. In the second, Carlos Santana's leadoff home run off Lackey tied the game; then, with two on, Kluber's RBI single put the Indians up 2–1. Kris Bryant committed two errors in that inning. Next inning, Jason Kipnis hit a leadoff double and scored on Francisco Lindor's single. In the sixth, Lonnie Chisenhall's sacrifice fly with two on off Mike Montgomery made it 4–1 Indians. Next inning, Justin Grimm allowed a leadoff double and one-out hit-by-pitch before being relieved by Travis Wood, who gave up a three-run home run to Kipnis put to the Indians ahead 7–1. The Cubs got one run back in the eighth, on a Dexter Fowler home run off Andrew Miller, which was the first run he gave up in the post-season.{{cite news|last1=Waldstein|first1=David|title=Indians Defeat Sloppy Cubs to Take a 3–1 World Series Lead|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/30/sports/baseball/world-series-cleveland-indians-chicago-cubs.html|work=The New York Times|date=October 29, 2016|access-date=October 30, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Bastian|first1=Jordan|last2=Muskat|first2=Carrie|title=3 Won! Tribe blowout has Cubs on brink|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/indians-defeat-cubs-one-win-from-world-title-c207551862|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|website=MLB.com|location=Chicago|date=October 29, 2016|access-date=October 30, 2016|archive-date=November 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128221655/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207551862/indians-defeat-cubs-one-win-from-world-title/|url-status=live}} With the victory, the Indians were just one win away from their 1st World Series championship since 1948.

File:2016-10-26 Kris Bryant receives Hank Aaron Award (cropped).jpg hit a home run for the Cubs in Game 5.]]

{{linescore|

|Date=October 30, 2016

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|Location=Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois,

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For Game 5, former Cubs star and Hall of Fame member Ryne Sandberg threw the ceremonial first pitch before the start of the game, former Cubs public address announcer and former Chicago Blackhawks anthem singer Wayne Messmer performed the national anthem, and Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder (a Chicago native and die hard Cubs fan) sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch.{{cite web|last=Axisa|first=Mike|title=Indians-Cubs World Series 2016: Sandberg to throw out Game 5 first pitch|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/indians-cubs-world-series-2016-sandberg-to-throw-out-game-5-first-pitch//|access-date=October 31, 2016|publisher=CBSSports.com|date=October 30, 2016}} José Ramírez hit a home run for Cleveland in the second inning off Jon Lester,{{cite news|last=Castrovince|first=Anthony|title=Ramirez's 1st postseason HR gets Indians started|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jose-ramirez-homers-in-world-series-game-5-c207632100|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|website=MLB.com|date=October 31, 2016|access-date=October 31, 2016|location=Chicago|archive-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826235054/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207632100/jose-ramirez-homers-in-world-series-game-5/|url-status=live}} but the Cubs, facing elimination, scored three runs in the fourth inning off Trevor Bauer. Kris Bryant led off the inning with a home run. After Bryant's home run, Anthony Rizzo doubled and Ben Zobrist singled. Addison Russell's RBI single put the Cubs up 2–1. After Jason Heyward struck out, Javier Baez's bunt single moved Zobrist to third before David Ross's sacrifice fly made it 3–1 Cubs.{{cite news|last=Muskat|first=Carrie|title=Bryant's blast sparks Cubs' winning rally|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/kris-bryant-s-home-run-ignites-cubs-rally-c207636200|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|website=MLB.com|date=October 31, 2016|access-date=October 31, 2016|location=Chicago|archive-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826234836/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207636200/kris-bryants-home-run-ignites-cubs-rally/|url-status=live}} The Indians cut their deficit to 3–2 off Lester in the sixth on Francisco Lindor's RBI single that scored Rajai Davis from second base. With the tying run on second base in the seventh inning, Maddon brought in Aroldis Chapman, who threw {{frac|2|2|3}} scoreless innings, earning his first save of the series and fourth overall in the postseason.{{cite news|last1=Bastian|first1=Jordan|last2=Muskat|first2=Carrie|title=Chappy Halloween! Cubs' trick? 6 for heat|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-edge-indians-to-keep-title-hopes-alive-c207629726|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|website=MLB.com|date=October 31, 2016|access-date=October 31, 2016|location=Chicago|archive-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826235305/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207629726/cubs-edge-indians-to-keep-title-hopes-alive/|url-status=live}} The win was the first World Series game victory for the Cubs at Wrigley Field since 1945.

File:Addison Russell May 2015.jpg had six runs batted in in Game 6, tying a Series record.{{cite news|last=Muskat|first=Carrie|title=Slam from Russell the Cubs' first in Series history|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-addison-russell-hits-grand-slam-in-game-6-c207822660|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|website=MLB.com|date=November 1, 2016|access-date=November 2, 2016|location=Cleveland}}{{cite web|title=Addison Russell ties World Series record with 6 RBIs in one game|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17949101/2016-world-series-addison-russell-chicago-cubs-ties-world-series-record-6-rbis-one-game|first=Bradford|last=Doolittle|work=ESPN|date=November 2, 2016|access-date=November 2, 2016}}]]

File:The Cubs celebrate after their 9-3 win over the Indians in World Series Game 6. (30637158101).jpg

{{linescore|

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|}}

The last living member of Cleveland's 1948 World Series championship team, Eddie Robinson, attended Game 6 at Progressive Field.{{cite news|title=The Latest: Francona unsure of left fielder for Game 6|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/10/31/the-latest-cubs-fans-making-plans-for-game-6-in-cleveland/93071676/|access-date=October 31, 2016|work=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=October 31, 2016|location=Cleveland}}{{cite news|last=Stevenson|first=Stefan|title=Eddie Robinson, last link to Indians' 1948 glory, going to Game 6|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/texas-rangers/article111677387.html|access-date=November 1, 2016|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|date=October 31, 2016}} Former Indians pitcher Dennis Martínez threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game while country singer Hunter Hayes sang the national anthem.{{cite news|last=Meisel|first=Zack|title=A presidential pitch: Former Cleveland Indians hurler Dennis Martinez, El Presidente, to throw out first pitch at Game 6|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2016/11/cleveland_indians_world_series_14.html|access-date=November 1, 2016|work=The Plain Dealer|date=November 1, 2016|location=Cleveland}}

The Cubs scored three runs in the first inning, all with two outs, on a Kris Bryant home run and a two-run double by Addison Russell after two singles off Josh Tomlin.{{cite web|last=McCalvy|first=Adam|title=Bryant's HR ignites Cubs' first-inning frenzy|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/kris-bryant-homers-in-first-inning-of-game-6-c207817210|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|website=MLB.com|date=November 1, 2016|access-date=November 2, 2016|location=Cleveland|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928145857/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207817210/kris-bryant-homers-in-first-inning-of-game-6/|url-status=live}} In the third inning, the Cubs loaded the bases on a walk and two singles off Tomlin, who was relieved by Dan Otero. Following the pitching change, Russell hit the 19th grand slam in World Series history to extend the Cubs lead to 7–0. Russell's grand slam was the first in a World Series game since Paul Konerko of the crosstown Chicago White Sox in {{wsy|2005}}, as well as the first by a visiting player since Lonnie Smith in {{wsy|1992}}. In the bottom of the fourth, Mike Napoli drove in Jason Kipnis, who doubled to lead off, with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 7–1. In the bottom of the fifth, Kipnis drove a ball over the left field wall for a home run to make it a 7–2 game. In the top of the ninth with a runner on and two outs, Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run home run to right to make it 9–2.{{cite news|last=Carpenter|first=Les|title=Cubs crush Indians to set up historic World Series final|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/01/world-series-game-6-chicago-cubs-cleveland-indians-report|access-date=November 2, 2016|work=The Guardian|date=November 2, 2016|location=Cleveland}} In the bottom of the inning, Aroldis Chapman allowed a leadoff walk to Brandon Guyer and was relieved by Pedro Strop, who threw a wild pitch to move Guyer to second and Roberto Perez's RBI single made it 9–3 Cubs with Perez thrown out at second for the second out. After Carlos Santana walked, Travis Wood relieved Strop and got Jason Kipnis to pop out to short to end the game and force a Game 7.

Russell's six RBIs tied a World Series single-game record. Arrieta became the first NL starting pitcher to notch two road wins in a single World Series since Bob Gibson in {{wsy|1967}}.{{Cite tweet|author=Christopher Kamka|user=@ckamka|number=793660810312704001|title=Jake Arrieta first National League pitcher with 2 road wins as a starter in single #WorldSeries since Bob Gibson in 1967 #Cubs|date=November 1, 2016|access-date=November 2, 2016}}

{{external media

| float = right

| width = 258px

| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VZcKBvBWes Game 7 Full replay] on the MLB's official YouTube channel

}}

File:Ben Zobrist with 2016 World Series MVP trophy (cropped).jpg won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award.]]

File:The tarp is on the field during the 10th inning of World Series Game 7. (30746057685).jpg

File:Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo celebrates the final out of the 2016 World Series. (30709978996).jpg

File:The Cubs celebrate after winning the 2016 World Series. (30709972906).jpg

{{linescore|

|Date=November 2, 2016

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|Attendance=38,104

|}}

Game 7 of the series would go down as a classic, with some calling it the greatest Game 7 in World Series history, comparing it to 1924, 1960, 1991, 1997, and 2001 for its drama and tension.{{cite news|last=Foster|first=Jason|title=The 10 most memorable Game 7s in World Series history, ranked|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/list/world-series-2016-greatest-game-7-in-world-series-history-twins-giants-yankees-braves-diamondbacks/7i1zz6sbin9c1c0vtss28999s#|access-date=December 23, 2016|publisher=Sporting News|location=Chicago}}{{cite news|last=Armour|first=Nancy|title=Why Cubs, Indians just gave us greatest World Series Game 7 ever|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/nancy-armour/2016/11/03/chicago-cubs-win-game-7-world-series-cleveland-indians/93224558/|access-date=December 23, 2016|publisher=USA Today|location=Chicago}} Former Indians player Jim Thome threw the ceremonial first pitch before the game while members of the Cleveland Orchestra string section performed the national anthem.{{cite news|last=Meisel|first=Zack|title=Jim Thome to throw out ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 7 of the World Series|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2016/11/cleveland_indians_world_series_17.html|access-date=November 2, 2016|work=The Plain Dealer|location=Cleveland}} The pitching matchup was between MLB earned run average (ERA) champion Kyle Hendricks, who had started Game 3 for the Cubs, and Corey Kluber, who had won games 1 and 4 and was pitching on three days' rest. Kluber came into the game 4–1 in the postseason with a 0.89 ERA.{{cite web|title=Corey Kluber Postseason Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=klubeco01&t=p&year=0&post=1|publisher=Baseball Reference|access-date=November 2, 2016}}

Dexter Fowler led off the game with a home run for Chicago off Kluber, becoming the first player ever to hit a lead-off home run in a World Series Game 7.{{cite news|last=McCalvy|first=Adam|title=Fowler makes history with leadoff HR|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-keep-hitting-in-game-7-against-indians-c207936946|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|website=MLB.com|date=November 2, 2016|access-date=November 3, 2016|location=Cleveland|archive-date=November 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103012938/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207936946/dexter-fowler-hits-leadoff-homer-in-game-7/|url-status=live}} The Indians tied the game in the bottom of the third inning with an RBI single by Carlos Santana after Coco Crisp doubled and advanced to third on a Roberto Pérez sacrifice bunt. The Cubs scored two runs in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly by Addison Russell (Kris Bryant running aggressively to tag up from third on the short fly ball and slide under the tag at home) and a double by Willson Contreras. To start the fifth inning, Javier Báez hit a home run to center making it 4–1 on the first pitch he saw to knock Kluber out of the game.{{cite news|last=DiComo|first=Anthony|title=Baez's homer chases Kluber in Game 7|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/andrew-miller-corey-kluber-struggle-in-game-7-c207810222|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|website=MLB.com|access-date=November 2, 2016|location=Cleveland}} ALCS MVP Andrew Miller came on in relief and gave up a walk to Bryant and RBI single to Anthony Rizzo to push the lead to 5–1 (Bryant's aggressiveness again instrumental as he was attempting to steal second on the hit, allowing him to score all the way from first). In the bottom of the fifth inning, Hendricks retired the first two batters. A two-out walk to Santana, which included a pitch that was called a ball and appeared to be a strike, persuaded Joe Maddon to relieve both his starter and the catcher. This move, along with others throughout the series, would be highly criticized afterward, as it appeared to some that Hendricks was pulled out too soon.{{cite web|last=Hirsch|first=Sheldon|title=Maddon's Over-Thinking Nearly Cost Cubs|url=http://dev.realclearsports.com/articles/2016/12/19/maddons_over-thinking_nearly_cost_cubs_98476.html|publisher=RealClearSports|access-date=December 23, 2016|location=Cleveland|archive-date=December 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224100432/http://dev.realclearsports.com/articles/2016/12/19/maddons_over-thinking_nearly_cost_cubs_98476.html|url-status=dead}}

Jon Lester, who had started Games 1 and 5, came on in relief for the first time since the 2007 ALCS, coincidentally also against the Indians.{{cite news|last=Stankevitz|first=JJ|title=Jon Lester ready if needed to pitch out of bullpen in games 6 or 7 of World Series

|url=http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/jon-lester-ready-if-needed-pitch-out-bullpen-games-6-or-7-world-series|access-date=December 23, 2016|publisher=CSN Chicago|location=Chicago}} David Ross (who usually caught for Lester and was playing in his final game) committed a throwing error that allowed Jason Kipnis to reach base and put runners on second and third. A wild pitch that ricocheted off Ross's helmet allowed Santana and Kipnis to score, narrowing the Cubs' lead to 5–3.{{cite news|last1=Williams|first1=Cody|title=World Series 2016: Indians score two on wild pitch, pull closer at 5–3|url=http://fansided.com/2016/11/02/world-series-2016-indians-wild-pitch-score-5-3-video/|access-date=November 2, 2016|work=Fansided|date=November 2, 2016}} To atone for his blunders, the 39-year-old Ross hit a home run to center, in his last official at-bat of his career, in the top of the sixth to make it a 6–3 game, becoming the oldest player to hit a home run in a World Series Game 7.{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Alex|title=Former SEC star David Ross makes World Series history in final career game|url=https://www.seccountry.com/florida/former-sec-star-david-ross-makes-world-series-history-in-final-career-game|access-date=November 2, 2016|work=SEC Country|date=November 2, 2016}}

Lester retired the first two batters in the eighth inning, but was pulled after a José Ramírez single that Russell did not field cleanly at short. Maddon opted to use Aroldis Chapman, who had thrown 42 pitches in Game 5 and had also pitched in Game 6, despite the fact that the Cubs had already built a large lead. Brandon Guyer promptly hit a run-scoring double off Chapman, making the score 6–4. The next batter was Indians center fielder Rajai Davis, who had hit 55 career home runs in 11 seasons entering this game, and who was hitting .132 in the postseason up to that point. Davis hit a dramatic 2-run home run off Chapman, just barely clearing the left field wall and the left field foul pole, scoring Guyer and tying the game, making the score 6–6. Davis's home run was the latest-occurring game-tying home run in World Series Game 7 history.{{cite web|last=Spector|first=Jesse|title=World Series 2016: Rajai Davis' HR becomes footnote to Cubs' epic victory|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/world-series-2016-indians-cubs-rajai-davis-home-run-aroldis-chapman-1986-red-sox-francisco-lindor/2lih0t8hiexz1cf8rjbekqyyd|publisher=SportingNews.com|access-date=November 3, 2016|location=Cleveland|date=November 3, 2016}} Many fans and Chapman himself believe he blew the lead due to his unnecessary use in Game 6.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-aroldis-chapman-joe-maddon-postseason-20161216-story.html|title=Aroldis Chapman says Cubs manager Joe Maddon 'abused him a bit'|last=Skrbina|first=Paul|website=Chicago Tribune|date=December 16, 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-21}}

The Cubs squandered a scoring chance in the top of the 9th. Ross led off with a walk and Jason Heyward grounded into a fielder's choice to take pinch runner Chris Coghlan off the bases. Heyward stole second and advanced to third on a throw to second by Yan Gomes that got away from Kipnis. At this point Cleveland's Terry Francona made a defensive change in left, replacing Coco Crisp by inserting Michael Martinez in right and moving Guyer to left; this was eventually to backfire for the Indians.{{cite web|title=The biggest curse-ending moment in baseball history demands a deep rewind - 2016 World Series Game 7| date=October 18, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1DQTdrYTwI|publisher=Secret Base|access-date=October 18, 2019}} Javier Baez attempted a squeeze bunt with two strikes—another decision by Maddon which drew criticism—and fouled it off for the second out. Dexter Fowler would eventually ground out on a spectacular game-saving play by shortstop Francisco Lindor to end the top of the ninth. To the shock of many observers, Aroldis Chapman was asked by Maddon to return to the mound for the bottom of the ninth, but he promptly retired the Indians in order, facing Carlos Santana, Jason Kipnis, and Francisco Lindor.

With the game tied 6–6 after nine innings, a sudden cloudburst resulted in a 17-minute rain delay.{{cite news|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20161102/wrigleyville/cubs-indians-world-series-game-7-championship|title=Game 7 Of The World Series Is In A Rain Delay In Extra Innings|author1=Ariel Cheung|author2=Ed Komenda|author3=David Matthews|author4=Evan F. Moore|date=November 2, 2016|access-date=November 2, 2016|publisher=DNA Info|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104010916/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20161102/wrigleyville/cubs-indians-world-series-game-7-championship|archive-date=November 4, 2016|df=mdy-all}} During the delay, Cubs right fielder Heyward called his teammates into a weight room behind Chicago's dugout and told them, "We're the best team in baseball{{nbsp}}... for a reason... Stick together and we're going to win this game."{{cite news|last=Verducci|first=Tom|title=WORLD SERIES It Happened|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2016/11/15/world-series-it-happened|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=November 14, 2016|access-date=January 7, 2017}} After the game, many of Heyward's teammates credited him with renewing their spirits.

When play resumed in the top of the tenth, Kyle Schwarber promptly led off with a single off of Indians pitcher Bryan Shaw. Maddon replaced Schwarber with pinch-runner Albert Almora. Kris Bryant then hit a deep fly ball to center, and Almora tagged up and advanced to second base in what was called the "savviest baserunning play of the season."{{cite web|last=Rosenbloom|first=Steve|title=Do you really appreciate what Albert Almora Jr. did in Game 7?|date=November 4, 2016 |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/rosenblog/ct-albert-almora-cubs-world-series-rosenbloom-20161104-column.html|publisher=Chicago Tribune|access-date=December 23, 2016|location=Cleveland}} After an intentional walk to Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist stepped up to the plate. Zobrist had been 0-for-4 in the game, but he delivered a clutch RBI double into the left field corner, scoring Almora and breaking the tie, making the score 7–6. Zobrist later said, "I was just battling, grinding up there. Fortunately, that last one he left over the plate and up to where I could just slap it down the line, and that was all I was trying to do."{{cite news|last=Kepner|first=Tyler|title=With a Cure-Breaking Hit, Ben Zobrist lives a dream he never expected|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/03/sports/baseball/world-series-game-7-ben-zobrist-chicago-cubs.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 3, 2016|access-date=December 23, 2016}}{{cite news|last=Graves|first=Will|title=Zobrist's big hit gives Cubs newcomer World Series MVP|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/584762ab80d74b429e8b3a93a3271500/zobrists-big-hit-gives-cubs-newcomer-world-series-mvp|access-date=November 3, 2016|agency=Associated Press|date=November 3, 2016|location=Cleveland|archive-date=January 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112192333/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/584762ab80d74b429e8b3a93a3271500/zobrists-big-hit-gives-cubs-newcomer-world-series-mvp|url-status=dead}}

After another intentional walk to Addison Russell, Miguel Montero, who had replaced Ross at catcher and was hitting just .091 in the postseason, delivered another clutch single into left, scoring Rizzo and making the score 8–6. Trevor Bauer, the losing pitcher of Games 2 and 5, relieved Shaw and got out of the bases-loaded jam by striking out Heyward and retiring Baez on a flyout to escape further damage.

Carl Edwards Jr. was called on to finish off the Indians in the bottom of the tenth, but after retiring the first two hitters (Mike Napoli and José Ramírez), he walked Brandon Guyer, who took second base on defensive indifference. Rajai Davis, following up on his eighth-inning heroics, lined a single to center, making it a one-run game, and the score 8–7. Maddon then called on Mike Montgomery, who had zero career saves. Montgomery retired Michael Martinez (the replacement for Crisp who had scored the game-winning run in Game 3 but had struck out in his only two at-bats of the Series) with an infield grounder fielded by Bryant, who threw to Rizzo. This ended the game and the World Series, with the Cubs winning the series and ending their 108-year World Series championship drought.{{cite news|last1=Bastian|first1=Jordan|last2=Muskat|first2=Carrie|title=Cubs are heavy wait champions!|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/chicago-cubs-win-2016-world-series-c207938228|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|website=MLB.com|date=November 2, 2016|access-date=November 2, 2016|location=Cleveland|archive-date=November 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130223630/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207938228/chicago-cubs-win-2016-world-series/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Paul|title=Chicago Cubs win World Series championship with 8–7 victory over Cleveland Indians|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-win-world-series-sullivan-spt-1103-20161102-story.html|access-date=November 3, 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|date=November 3, 2016|location=Cleveland}} Zobrist was awarded the World Series MVP award after hitting .357 in the series and delivering the go-ahead hit.{{cite news|last=Trezza|first=Joe|title=Zobrist's heroics net MVP honors|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ben-zobrist-named-world-series-mvp-c207951690|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|website=MLB.com|date=November 2, 2016|access-date=November 3, 2016|archive-date=November 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118220433/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207951690/ben-zobrist-named-world-series-mvp/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Berg|first=Ted|title=World Series MVP Ben Zobrist: Game 7 was 'an epic battle'|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/11/ben-zobrist-chicago-cubs-world-series-mvp-epic-battle-mlb|newspaper=USA Today|date=November 3, 2016|access-date=November 3, 2016|location=Cleveland}}

Rizzo called the rain delay "the most important thing to happen to the Chicago Cubs in the past 100 years. I don't think there's any way we win the game without it." Cubs president Theo Epstein said that when he heard about the meeting called by Heyward, "Right then I thought, 'We're winning this game.'"

The Cubs became the first team to come back from a 3–1 deficit to win the Series since the 1985 Kansas City Royals. They were also the first since the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates to do so while winning Games 6 and 7 on the road, and the second team since the 1979 Pirates to win Game 7 as the visiting team, with the 2014 San Francisco Giants also having achieved that feat in Kansas City; almost one year later, the 2017 Houston Astros did the same thing in Los Angeles. Yet another Game 7 would be won by a road team in {{wsy|2019}}, when the Washington Nationals did so in Houston. With the Game 7 victory, Joe Maddon is 3–0 in postseason series against Terry Francona, having also won the 2008 ALCS and the 2013 Wild Card Game against him. Game 7 was the 60th extra inning game in World Series history, and the fifth time a Game 7 went into extra innings. This was the first extra inning Game 7 to be won by the visiting team, as the home team won the previous four times in 1912, 1924, 1991, and 1997.

With the Cubs winning, the Indians became the owners of MLB's longest active championship drought, which stood at 68 years, and currently stands at 76 years. Their last title came in {{wsy|1948}}; however, earlier in 2016, the Cleveland sports curse had already been broken, with the Cleveland Cavaliers having won the city's first championship since 1964 by defeating the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals also with a 3–1 series deficit comeback.

Game 7 of the 2016 World Series was nominated for the Best Game award at the 2017 ESPY Awards, but that honor went to Super Bowl LI instead.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

This marked the last World Series in which the visiting team's championship presentation took place in the clubhouse instead of the playing field. Following the 2017 World Series, every World Series presentation would take place on the field, regardless of whether or not the home or road team won the championship.

File:Cubs win World Series.gif

2016 World Series (4–3): Chicago Cubs (NL) beat Cleveland Indians (AL).

{{Linescore|

|Road=Chicago Cubs|RoadAbr=CHC

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|Home=Cleveland Indians|HomeAbr=CLE

|H1=2|H2=3|H3=2|H4=2|H5=3|H6=3|H7=4|H8=6|H9=1|H10=1|HR=27|HH=55|HE=6

|RoadHR=Kris Bryant (2), Dexter Fowler (2), Javier Baez (1), Anthony Rizzo (1), David Ross (1), Addison Russell (1)

|HomeHR=Jason Kipnis (2), Roberto Pérez (2), Rajai Davis (1), José Ramirez (1), Carlos Santana (1)

|TotalAttendance=277,603

|AveAttendance=39,658

|WinPlayerShare=$368,871.59{{cite news|last=Gonzales|first=Mark|title=Cubs issue 66 full playoff shares worth $368,871.59 a piece|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-issue-66-full-playoff-shares-20161206-story.html|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=December 6, 2016|access-date=January 2, 2017}}|LosePlayerShare=$261,804.65

}}

Fox televised the series in the United States, under contract with Major League Baseball giving it exclusive rights to the World Series through 2021. Joe Buck was the network's play-by-play announcer, with John Smoltz as color commentator and Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci as field reporters.{{cite web|last=Stephen|first=Eric|title=2016 World Series schedule: Cubs vs. Indians|url=https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2016/10/22/13368168/world-series-schedule-2016-indians-cubs|publisher=SBNation.com|access-date=October 25, 2016|date=October 22, 2016}} Fox Deportes also aired the Series and provided a Spanish-language simulcast over-the-air via Fox's SAP audio, with Carlos Álvarez and Duaner Sánchez announcing.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/latestnews/2016/10/06/fox-sports-embarks-on-hunt-for-october-with-announcement-of-mlb-|title=FOX Sports Embarks on 'Hunt for October' with Announcement of MLB Postseason Broadcaster Lineup|work=Fox Sports|date=October 6, 2016|access-date=October 30, 2016}}

Sportsnet in English and RDS in French televised the series in Canada. Sportsnet used the MLB International feed produced by the MLB Network; Matt Vasgersian was MLB International's play-by-play announcer with the Toronto Blue Jays' play-by-play announcer Buck Martinez as their color analyst and MLB Network correspondent Lauren Shehadi and analyst Mark DeRosa as field reporters.{{Cite news|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/11/this-is-how-the-world-watched-and-listened-to-the-cubs-win-the-world-series|title=This is how the world watched and listened to the Cubs' win the World Series|date=2016-11-03|newspaper=For The Win|access-date=2017-02-24|language=en-US}} Alain Usereau and former Montreal Expos player Marc Griffin handled the French-language telecast for RDS.{{cite web|url=http://www.bellmedia.ca/fr/sp/presse/rds-presente-la-serie-mondiale-en-exclusivite-francophone-du-25-octobre-au-2-novembre/|title=RDS présente la SÉRIE MONDIALE en exclusivité francophone du 25 octobre au 2 novembre|work=Bell Media Press Room|language=fr|date=October 24, 2016|access-date=October 29, 2016}} BT Sport televised the series live in the United Kingdom and Ireland.{{cite web|url=http://sport.bt.com/mlb/cleveland-indians-v-chicago-cubs-how-to-watch-the-world-series-S11364107689525|title= Cleveland Indians v Chicago Cubs: How to watch the World Series|date=October 26, 2016|work=BT Sport|access-date=October 26, 2016}} WAPA-TV transmitted the series to Puerto Rico, with Rafael Bracero at the helm of the station's sports commentary of the series.{{cite web|url=http://www.wapa.tv/noticias/deportes/baez-y-lindor-cruzan-caminos-nuevamente_20131122281742.html|title=Báez y Lindor cruzan caminos nuevamente|publisher=WAPA|access-date=October 26, 2016|archive-date=October 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026082138/http://www.wapa.tv/noticias/deportes/baez-y-lindor-cruzan-caminos-nuevamente_20131122281742.html|url-status=dead}}

{{further|World Series television ratings}}

Initial reports often utilize "fast national" ratings, which are subject to revision.{{cite web|title=Frequently Asked Questions About Nielsen Ratings | url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings.aspx?id=ratings_faq |website=The Futon Critic |date=September 19, 2010 |access-date=October 31, 2016}} Game 7 had over 40 million viewers, the largest audience for a baseball game since Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, while the series as a whole was the first to average double-digit ratings nationally since {{wsy|2009}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/chicago-cubs-victory-in-world-series-game-7-draws-40-million-viewers-1478203777|title=Chicago Cubs Victory in World Series Game 7 Draws 40 Million Viewers|last=Flint|first=Joe|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=November 3, 2016|access-date=November 3, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-world-series-climax-brings-tvs-biggest-haul-super-bowl-943762|title=TV Ratings: World Series Climax Tops 40 Million Viewers, Biggest Game in 25 Years|last=O'Connell|first=Michael|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 3, 2016|access-date=November 3, 2016}}

File:Cubs World Series win being celebrated at Wrigley Field (2).gif

ESPN Radio's national network covered the World Series through affiliated stations, with Dan Shulman providing the play-by-play and Aaron Boone serving as color analyst. Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer appeared as a guest analyst for select innings of Games 1 and 2.{{cite press release|url=http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2016/10/espn-provides-extensive-site-coverage-112th-world-series/|title=ESPN Provides Extensive On-SIte Coverage from the 112th World Series|last=Skarka|first=Michael|publisher=ESPN MediaZone|date=October 24, 2016}}

Locally, the teams' flagship stations broadcast the series with their regular announcers. In Cleveland, WTAM (1100) and WMMS (100.7) carried the Indians' play-by-play with Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus, while in Chicago, WSCR (670) carried the Cubs' play-by-play with Pat Hughes, Ron Coomer, and Len Kasper.{{cite web|url=http://awfulannouncing.com/2016/your-2016-world-series-announcing-schedule.html|title=Your 2016 World Series announcing schedule|last=Lucia|first=Joe|website=Awful Announcing|date=October 25, 2016}} The affiliate stations of the teams' regional radio networks were contractually obligated to carry the national ESPN Radio feed; even so, since both WSCR and WTAM are clear-channel stations, most of the eastern and midwestern United States was able to hear the local broadcasts.{{cite news|url=http://www.cantonrep.com/news/20161026/tom-hamilton-not-heard-on-indians-local-radio-affiliates-during-world-series|title=Tom Hamilton not heard on Indians' local radio affiliates during World Series|last=Kane|first=Dan|newspaper=The Repository|date=October 26, 2016|access-date=November 2, 2016|archive-date=November 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104000822/http://www.cantonrep.com/news/20161026/tom-hamilton-not-heard-on-indians-local-radio-affiliates-during-world-series|url-status=dead}}

{{Multiple image|total_width = 500

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| caption1 = The Chicago Cubs posing with President Barack Obama in the East Room during their January 2017 visit to the White House

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| caption2 = The Chicago Cubs posing with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office during their June 2017 visit to the White House

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| image1 = Chicago Cubs Rally (32555713866).jpg

| caption1 = Victory parade (November 4, 2016)

| image2 = 'World Champs' -- 2016 Cubs World Series Win Celebration Grant Park Chicago (IL) November 4, 2016 (30840440993).jpg

| caption2 = Victory rally in Grant Park (November 4, 2016)

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| image1 = 2016 World Series CTA train at Howard 01.jpg

| caption1 = "L" train of the CTA with special livery celebrating the victory

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| caption2 = Lobby of Chicago City Hall decorated in celebration of the Cubs victory

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| image1 = 2016 World Series merchandise at Chicago Union Station IMG 8573.jpg

| caption1 = Cubs and World Series merchandise being sold at Chicago Union station several weeks after the end of the series

| image2 = 20170225 01 Garfield Park Conservatory (46369291605).jpg

| caption2 = Flower bed at Chicago's Garfield Park Conservatory grown in the pattern of the Cubs Win Flag

| image3 = Cubs Caravan (32141150802).jpg

| caption3 = Members of the Cubs celebrate in January 2017 with the 108th Sustainment Brigade of the Illinois National Guard

}}

Following the team's win in Game 7, Cubs fans congregated outside of Wrigley Field and the surrounding Wrigleyville neighborhood to celebrate the championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37856319|title= World Series baseball: Chicago Cubs end 108-year wait for win|date=November 3, 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=November 4, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/11/chicago-cubs-world-series-wrigleyville-celebrate-video-photos |title=Wrigleyville goes wild as Chicago Cubs win the World Series |last=Tsuji |first=Alysha |date=3 November 2016 |website=For the Win USAToday |access-date=23 December 2016}} On November 4, the team's victory parade began at Wrigley Field and headed down Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue at downtown for a noon rally at Grant Park.{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4558307/cubs-world-series-parade-live/|title= Watch Chicago Get the World Series Parade It's Waited 108 Years For|date=November 4, 2016|magazine=Time|access-date=November 4, 2016}} Country singer Brett Eldredge sang a cover of "Go, Cubs, Go" during the rally.{{cite web|title=Watch: Brett Eldridge leads Cubs fans in 'Go Cubs Go'|url=http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/watch-brett-eldredge-leads-cubs-fans-go-cubs-go|website=Comcast SportsNet Chicago|publisher=NBC Universal|access-date=November 7, 2016|date=November 4, 2016}} The city of Chicago estimated that over five million people attended the World Series parade and rally celebration, making it one of the largest gatherings in history, and according to some sources, the largest gathering in the history of the United States.{{efn|If verified, the parade crowd would have surpassed the crowd size during the April 1951 visit of General Douglas MacArthur to New York City after being relieved of duty by President Harry S. Truman.}}{{cite web |last1=Flosi |first1=Nic |title=Cubs World Series celebration ranks as 7th largest gathering in human history |url=http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/215601786-story |website=fox32chicago.com |publisher=Fox32 |access-date=November 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105005210/http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/215601786-story |archive-date=November 5, 2016 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=https://news.wttw.com/2016/11/16/ask-geoffrey-was-really-5-million-people|title = Ask Geoffrey: Was That Really 5 Million People?}} After the season, the Cubs chose to make two traditional White House visits during then-President (and White Sox fan) Barack Obama's final week in office on January 16, 2017, and during President Donald Trump's tenure on June 28, 2017.{{cite news|title=President Trump Welcomes the Chicago Cubs to the White House|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2017/06/29/president-trump-welcomes-chicago-cubs-white-house|date=June 29, 2017|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|access-date=November 3, 2018}}

In the decades prior to the 2016 World Series, the prospect of the Cubs eventually breaking their World Series victory drought appeared in pop culture.

In the 1989 film Back to the Future Part II, the Chicago Cubs are depicted as the 2015 World Series champions, defeating a fictional American League team from Miami, whose mascot is an alligator, in a sweep. A newspaper shown during the film states that the sweep took five games, implying that the World Series had become a best-of-nine series at some point prior to 2015. The team now known as the Miami Marlins was not formed until four years later, with a billfish as a mascot. Screenwriter Bob Gale, who co-wrote the script of Back to the Future Part{{nbsp}}II, originally intended it as a joke, saying "Being a baseball fan, I thought, 'OK, let's come up with one of the most unlikely scenarios we can think of", referencing both the Cubs' long championship drought and the fact that Florida did not have a baseball team in 1989. He also explained that the October 21 prediction was based on the postseason structure at the time of the writing of the film, and thus could have been accurate had MLB not added the Division Series in 1994 and Wild Card Game in 2012.{{cite news|last=Placek|first=Christopher|title='Back to the Future' writer says 2015 Cubs prediction no longer a joke|url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20151007/news/151009101/|access-date=October 10, 2015|work=Daily Herald|date=October 9, 2015|location=Arlington Heights, Illinois}}

The film's prediction of the Cubs winning the World Series proved to be incorrect by one year, although it did pick the correct date on which the Cubs' 2015 season ended, when they lost to the New York Mets in a four-game sweep of the NLCS. The official Back to the Future Twitter account acknowledged this following the Cubs' win in 2016 by tweeting "Way to go Cubbies" and posting a still image from the film stating the same, and a follow-up tweet that said the 1994 players' strike, in which that year's World Series was canceled, caused a "disruption in the space-time continuum". Following the Cubs win, Michael J. Fox, star of the movie, reacted to the Cubs' win by tweeting "Only off by a year, not bad" and a congratulatory message to the Cubs organization.{{cite tweet|user=BacktotheFuture|number=794038389234249728|title=Way to go, @Cubs !!!}} {{better source|date=February 2024}}{{cite tweet|user=realmikefox|number=794177884613177344|title=Only off by a year, not bad}} {{better source|date=February 2024}}

The episode "Ron and Jammy" in the seventh season of the sitcom Parks and Recreation (broadcast in early 2015) portrays the Cubs as having won the 2016 World Series, with a line in that episode mentioning such a victory. Michael Schur (co-creator of the show) took credit for this line. After the World Series, he recalled the prediction as having been informed by observations that promising talent in the Cubs' Minor League Baseball farm system put the team in a position to be competitive in 2016 despite having had a poor 2014 season. In an interview following the World Series, Schur remarked, {{quote|It’s not like I was only person who thought the Cubs were going to be good. [In 2014], every baseball writer in America knew the Cubs were going to be good [in 2016]. I can’t emphasize enough how little credit I feel like I should take for that prediction.{{cite web |last1=Soong |first1=Kelyn |title='Parks and Recreation' very deliberately predicted a Cubs 2016 World Series win |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/10/27/parks-and-recreation-very-deliberately-predicted-a-cubs-2016-world-series-win-2/ |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=27 June 2024 |date=27 October 2016}}}}

This was the last World Series to have home-field advantage determined by the league winner of the All-Star Game. From 2017-present, home-field advantage was determined by best record.

This is the most recent World Series to not feature a team from Texas or California. The Houston Astros won AL pennants in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022; the Los Angeles Dodgers won NL pennants in 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2024; and the Texas Rangers won the AL pennant in 2023.

Produced by National Hockey League Hall of Fame player Mark Messier in 2024, Amazon Prime spotlighted the 2016 World Series in their documentary series 'Game 7'.{{cite web |last1=Busbee |first1=Jay |date=21 October 2024 |title='Game 7': Prime Video's exhilarating, uneven look at sports' finest moments |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/game-7-prime-videos-exhilarating-uneven-look-at-sports-finest-moments-130514051.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHdjSOA62IjgVIDzteycylO51uVJ6IJYRtiwlpLIncKdMmA6Re1mcrkZDMnpfA0YFxf8ILl8Gt5wTConlQ9V2bo6PdYvjyvDlUUk6oTECiPEvG9O-zB7-FmWmgFtqAaLAYuCPALzTO0CfqZd2FPgoSzPZo0dPybE6ZsDq9hMCUjC |access-date=26 November 2024 |website=Yahoo Sports}}

File:Eamus Catuli zero 20170608 210539.jpg sign at "AC0000000" during the 2017 Chicago Cubs season, in recognition of the Cubs victory the previous season]]

While the 2015–2020 Cubs had the greatest sustained run of success since the dead-ball era,{{Cite web|title=Reflecting on the Cubs' Five-Year Run|url=https://community.fangraphs.com/reflecting-on-the-cubs-five-year-run/|access-date=2020-12-10|website=Community Blog|date=November 12, 2019}} the Cubs only reached one World Series during those six seasons. The 2017 Cubs returned to the NLCS, but lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games. In 2018, the Cubs finished tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for the division, but lost the tie-breaker game and were relegated to the 2018 NL Wild Card Game against the Colorado Rockies, which the Cubs also lost. They failed to qualify in the postseason in 2019 and were upset by the Miami Marlins in 2020. To date, 2020 represents the Cubs last trip to the postseason.

In addition, the Cubs' 2016 championship core slowly moved on over the course of the next few years:

• Dexter Fowler signed with the rival St. Louis Cardinals during the 2016–17 off-season.{{cite web |last1=Langosch |first1=Jennifer |title=Fowler joins Cardinals on 5-year deal |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cardinals-sign-deal-with-of-dexter-fowler-c210732942 |website=MLB.com |access-date=12 November 2023 |language=en}}
• Aroldis Chapman returned to the New York Yankees by signing the largest contract ever for a relief pitcher.{{Cite web|title=Yankees finalize 5-year deal with Chapman|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-sign-aroldis-chapman-to-5-year-deal-c211269270|access-date=2020-12-10|website=MLB.com|language=en}}
• At the 2016 Winter Meetings, Jorge Soler and Travis Wood were traded to the Kansas City Royals for All-Star closer Wade Davis, effectively replacing Chapman.{{Cite web|title=Cubs acquire closer Davis from Royals for Soler|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-trade-jorge-soler-for-wade-davis-c210494838|access-date=2020-12-10|website=MLB.com|language=en}} Mike Montgomery, the man who recorded the last out of the World Series, was also traded to Kansas City in 2019.{{cite web |title=Royals trade Martin Maldonado to Cubs for LHP Mike Montgomery |url=https://fox4kc.com/sports/royals-trade-martin-maldonado-to-cubs-for-for-lhp-mike-montgomery/ |website=FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV {{!}} News, Weather, Sports |access-date=12 November 2023 |date=16 July 2019}}
• Game 7 was also the last game for fan favorite David Ross, who retired. After the 2019 season, Ross replaced Joe Maddon as Cubs manager. Maddon mutually parted ways with the club after five seasons in Chicago.{{Cite web|date=2019-10-23|title=Cubs bring back former catcher Ross as manager|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27909976/cubs-hire-david-ross-manager-3-year-deal|access-date=2020-12-10|website=ESPN|language=en}}
• Miguel Montero was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2017 season, due to the emergence of Willson Contreras and a dispute about playing time.{{Cite web|title=Cubs trade catcher Montero to Blue Jays|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-trade-miguel-montero-to-blue-jays-c240224190|access-date=2020-12-10|website=MLB.com|language=en}}
• The 2017 season also turned out to be Jake Arrieta's last with the club; he signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies (though he later returned to the Cubs in 2021).{{Cite magazine|last=Chavez|first=Chris|title=Jake Arrieta to sign three-year deal with Phillies|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/03/11/jake-arrieta-signs-philadelphia-phillies-contract-mlb-free-agency|access-date=2020-12-12|magazine=Sports Illustrated|language=en-us}} The 2017 season was also the last for John Lackey, who retired.
• After a serious abuse allegation made by his ex-wife,{{Cite web|title=No Timetable on Finishing Addison Russell Investigation, MLB Commissioner Says|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/chicago-baseball/no-timetable-on-finishing-addison-russell-investigation-mlb-manfred/172374/|access-date=2020-12-10|website=NBC Chicago|date=October 3, 2018 |language=en-US}} Addison Russell's career came to an abrupt end after he was non-tendered by the Cubs following the 2019 season. World Series MVP Ben Zobrist retired after 2019 after familial problems as well.{{cite web |title=Ex-Cubs star Ben Zobrist claims wife Julianna had affair with their pastor, lawsuit says |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/ex-cubs-star-ben-zobrist-154656236.html |website=Yahoo|date=November 14, 2021 }}{{Cite web|last=Gonzales|first=Mark|title=Cubs Q&A: Is Ben Zobrist retired? How would the Cubs fare in a Florida-Arizona split? Any Marquee Sports updates?|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-cb-chicago-cubs-mailbag-ben-zobrist-20200419-eeaepoglrffonn3h6h37aftcmm-story.html|access-date=2020-12-10|website=Chicago Tribune|date=April 19, 2020 }}
• Theo Epstein announced that he would step down from his role with the Cubs as President of Baseball Operations effective November 20, 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-17|title=Theo Epstein steps down after 9 seasons leading Cubs|url=https://apnews.com/article/mlb-baseball-theo-epstein-chicago-jed-hoyer-61107195433d3c47146c87628f877d20|access-date=2020-12-21|website=AP NEWS}} A few weeks later, the Cubs non-tendered Kyle Schwarber in a controversial move to cut cost.{{Cite web|last=Dorsey|first=Russell|date=2020-12-02|title=Cubs non-tender OFs Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2020/12/2/21959451/cubs-non-tender-kyle-schwarber-albert-almora|access-date=2020-12-21|website=Chicago Sun-Times|language=en}} Later in the off-season, Schwarber and Jon Lester signed one-year free agent contracts with the Washington Nationals.

By the 2021 trade deadline, the Cubs had fully committed to a re-build, as established players such as Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javier Baez were traded away for young players and prospects.{{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=R.J. |title=Anthony Rizzo trade grades: Yankees ace another deal for lineup upgrade as Cubs say goodbye to fan favorite |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/anthony-rizzo-trade-grades-yankees-ace-another-deal-for-lineup-upgrade-as-cubs-say-goodbye-to-fan-favorite/ |website=CBS Sports |access-date=12 November 2023 |language=en |date=30 July 2021}}{{cite web |title=Giants ramp up for West race, get Cubs' Bryant |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31922599/san-francisco-giants-reach-deal-acquire-kris-bryant-chicago-cubs-sources-say |website=ESPN |access-date=12 November 2023 |language=en |date=30 July 2021}}{{cite web |title=Mets trade OF prospect to Cubs for star SS Baez |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31922264/sources-new-york-mets-finalizing-deal-chicago-cubs-javier-baez |website=ESPN |access-date=12 November 2023 |language=en |date=30 July 2021}} Many fans and media drew a comparison with the 2016 Cubs to the 1986 New York Mets, as both teams had a young core when they won a World Series, both clubs had staged thrilling comebacks to win their respective World Series in seven games,{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/mlbstats/status/786062519588818944|title=Tweet|accessdate=February 11, 2024}} and they both looked like a start to a potential dynasty that ended up not materializing.

After the departure of Kyle Hendricks following the 2024 season, no players remain from the Cubs' 2016 World Series team. Meanwhile, Soler won a second World Series ring with the Atlanta Braves in {{wsy|2021}}, even winning World Series MVP. Chapman won his second ring with the Texas Rangers in {{wsy|2023}}. Bench coach Dave Martinez later became a manager and skippered the Washington Nationals to its first World Series title in {{wsy|2019}}.

File:Cleveland Indians 22nd Consecutive Win (37272041585).jpg, just four shy of the MLB record]]

2016 was also the high point for the Indians. The 2017 Indians won 22 straight games – the second-longest winning streak in MLB history – on their way to a 102–60 record and AL Central title. During their 22 game win streak, they were nicknamed "WIndians" by fans and media.{{cite web |last1=Shaikin |first1=Bill |title=Three up, three down: Just call them the WINdians |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/mlb/la-sp-three-up-three-down-20170909-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=17 September 2024 |date=9 September 2017}}{{cite web |last1=Zachariah Durr |first1=cleveland com |title=Countdown to victory! 22 shout-outs to "Windians" record-making history |url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2017/09/countdown_to_victory_22_shout-.html |website=cleveland |access-date=17 September 2024 |language=en |date=15 September 2017}} However, their near record winning streak did not translate into postseason success, as they lost to the New York Yankees in five games in the ALDS after taking a 2–0 series lead. The Indians won their division again in 2018, but were swept by the Houston Astros in the ALDS.

During the 2020–21 off-season, the Indians had traded star shortstop Francisco Lindor, along with longtime rotation stalwart Carlos Carrasco, to the New York Mets. Currently, the only remaining player from Cleveland's 2016 roster is José Ramírez. This would also mark the Indians' last World Series appearance with that nickname, as they changed their name to the "Cleveland Guardians" in 2022.{{cite web |title=Guardians chosen as new name for Cleveland's baseball team |url=https://apnews.com/article/cleveland-guardians-name-change-41849399d222d872eb6f1cae23551c29 |website=AP News |access-date=10 November 2023 |language=en |date=23 July 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Sutelan |first1=Edward |title=Guardians name change timeline: How years of criticism finally led to Cleveland's baseball rebrand {{!}} Sporting News |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/cleveland-guardians-baseball-name-change-timeline/xp4bekkfvkw8ufgrk76wssb8 |website=www.sportingnews.com |access-date=10 November 2023 |language=en-us |date=7 April 2022}}{{Cite web |date=23 July 2021 |title=Cleveland announces name change to Guardians |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31868331/cleveland-changing-name-indians-guardians |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Hanna |first1=Jason |title=Cleveland Indians changing name to Cleveland Guardians |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/23/us/cleveland-major-league-baseball-name/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=10 November 2023 |language=en |date=23 July 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Waldstein |first1=David |title=In Cleveland, Some Fans Are Guardians Only of the Past |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/16/sports/baseball/cleveland-guardians.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=10 November 2023 |date=16 April 2022}}

After the loss, the Indians now became the team with the longest World Series title drought as well as the second longest championship drought in North American sports, which stood at 68 years, and is now 76 years. The only team of the four major North American leagues to have a longer championship drought are the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals, who won their last championship in 1947, a year before Cleveland's last World Series title.

The final game of the World Series is a plot point in the fourth episode of the second season of the sitcom Not Dead Yet (aired in 2024).{{cite web |last1=Arja |first1=Vijaya Lakshmi |title=Not Dead Yet Season 2 Episode 4 ending explained: Has Nell found her love connection? |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/not-dead-yet-season-2-episode-4-ending-explained-has-nell-found-love-connection |website=Sportskeeda.com |access-date=27 June 2024 |date=March 4, 2024}}

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