The Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series, defeating the Cleveland Indians in a historic seven-game series. This victory ended a 108-year championship drought, washing away generations of sports folklore known as the Curse of the Billy Goat. For baseball fans everywhere, the conclusion of that autumn classic stands as one of the most dramatic comebacks in sports history.
Getting to that final out required overcoming a three-games-to-one deficit, a tense extra-inning showdown in Game 7, and a brief rain delay that forced a veteran-led players' meeting in the dugout. Here is how the historic fall unfolded, pitch by pitch and game by game.
The Road to the Fall Classic
Both the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians entered the postseason playing elite baseball under legendary managers. Joe Maddon guided the Cubs to a stellar 103-58 regular-season record, leaning on a powerhouse young core that included Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javier Báez, alongside veteran pitching leader Jon Lester.
Meanwhile, Terry Francona steered the Indians to a 94-67 finish, despite injuries to key starters like Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar. Francona engineered a dominant bullpen anchored by Andrew Miller and Cody Allen, shutting down opponents throughout the American League playoffs.
A Rollercoaster Seven-Game Series
The matchup quickly turned into a tactical chess match between two star-studded rosters. Cleveland struck first in Game 1 behind a brilliant performance from Corey Kluber, blanking Chicago 6-0. The Cubs bounced right back in Game 2, winning 5-1 behind Jake Arrieta to tie the series before heading back to Wrigley Field.
- Games 3 and 4: Cleveland asserted control at Wrigley. Pitcher Josh Tomlin and the bullpen shut out the Cubs 1-0 in Game 3, and the Indians offense exploded for seven runs in Game 4 to take a commanding three-games-to-one lead.
- Game 5: Facing elimination, the Cubs needed a stellar start from Jon Lester and a clutch home run from Kris Bryant to hold off Cleveland 3-2 and send the series back to Ohio.
- Game 6: Addison Russell hit a grand slam, and Chicago dominated offensively to secure a 9-3 victory, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7.
The Drama of Game 7
Played on November 2, 2016, at Progressive Field, Game 7 lived up to every ounce of hype. The Cubs jumped out to an early lead, pushing ahead 6-3 by the middle innings thanks to home runs from Dexter Fowler and veteran David Ross.
However, Cleveland refused to fold. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Rajai Davis shocked the baseball world by launching a dramatic two-run home run off elite Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman, tying the game at 6-6 and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Extra Innings and the Rain Delay
As the game headed into the tenth inning tied at six runs apiece, a sudden downpour forced a 17-minute rain delay. During the pause, Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward gathered his teammates in the locker room for an emotional speech, reminding them of their season-long resilience.
When play resumed, the Cubs capitalized immediately. Ben Zobrist slapped a tie-breaking RBI double down the left-field line, scoring pinch-runner Albert Almora Jr. Miguel Montero followed with a crucial insurance single, pushing the lead to 8-6.
Cleveland answered with a run in the bottom half of the tenth to make it 8-7, but relief pitcher Mike Montgomery induced a ground ball to third baseman Kris Bryant, who threw to first baseman Anthony Rizzo to record the final out.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the last time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series before 2016?
Prior to their 2016 victory, the Cubs last won the World Series in 1908, marking a 108-year drought that stood as the longest in Major League Baseball history.
Who won the World Series MVP award?
Ben Zobrist won the 2016 World Series Most Valuable Player award. He hit .357 during the series and drove in the eventual game-winning run in the tenth inning of Game 7.
What was the final score of Game 7?
The Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in 10 innings during the decisive seventh game.
Did the Cubs come back from a deficit?
Yes. The Cubs became the first team since 1979 to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the World Series, winning three consecutive elimination games to claim the championship title. You can read more about baseball history at MLB Official History.
